Snowboarding is a graceful, but demanding sport that requires strength, agility, endurance and flexibility. To prevent injury and perform your best, it's important to warm up and stretch well before you hit the slopes. Before you stretch, you may want to learn: The Most Common snowboarding Injuries
1. Hip Flexors and Psoas Stretch
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The hip flexors are used over and over while snowboarding. Get them stretched out with this easy flexibility move.
2. Standing Calf Stretch
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The simplest calf stretch you can do with the best results.
3. Hip and Lower Back Stretch
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This is an important stretch for snowboarding to open the hips while stretching the muscles of the hips, groin and lower back.
4. Standing Quadriceps Stretch
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The quadriceps (quads) do the majority of the work while boarding. Here is a simple stretch you can do while standing.
5. Seated Hamstring Stretch
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This stretch can help maintain length in the hamstrings and lower back which is often tight & short in boarders.
6. Standing Shoulder Stretch
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This basic shoulder stretch can help open the chest and upper body and keep you from rounding forward too much.
- Be sure to keep your head up and resist the urge to bend your neck forward.
7. Lying Piriformis Stretch
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8. Iliotibial (IT) Band Stretch
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Don't forget the iliotibial (IT) band -- the tough fibers that run along the outside of the thigh that stabilizes the joints. Boarders need it loose.
9. Achilles Tendon - Heel Stretch
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The Achilles tendon isn't commonly injured during snowboarding, but, along with the calf, it's good to keep it loose after you come in for the day.
