WE MAY not have seen too much of it in the UK in the past few years, but the presence of snow in other European countries and around the world has facilitated what seems to be the almost unstoppable growth of winter sports. An estimated 1.2 million holidaymakers now indulge in snow sports abroad annually, according to the Ski Club of Great Britain, which is celebrating its centenary this year.

However, despite the rapidly rising popularity of winter sports breaks, the majority embarking on them at about this time of year still fail to prepare themselves physically. The result, according to Jenny Joliffe, a keen snow sportswoman and group fitness manager for Cannons who is presenting an off-piste workout at the FitPro convention in April, is extremely sore legs and general fatigue. “Many of those trying such holidays for the first time will find they hurt too much or are too tired to enjoy themselves or learn the sport properly,” she said.

EXERCISE: Reverse lunge with hover. Start by standing with your feet hip-width apart and hands on your hips. Lift your chest and pull your shoulder blades down and back. Take a long step back with your right foot, lowering your right knee and keeping your right heel off the floor so that your weight is distributed evenly between both legs and both knees are at a 90-degree angle. Now straighten your knees and concentrate on bracing your abdominal muscles and keeping upright as you return to the start position without placing the right foot back down on the ground. Instead, let it hover above its original position for a few seconds as you balance on your left leg. Repeat 8 to 12 times on the right leg and do the same stepping with the left.

STRETCH: Hip flexor. Kneel on a soft surface with the knees hip-width apart. Bring the right foot in front of you, keeping the knee behind the ankle and above the hip. Allow your body weight to drop into the hip to feel the stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with left leg.

• Exercises provided by Jenny Joliffe, Cannons Health Club group fitness manager. To find your nearest club call 0870 780 8182 or see www.cannons.co.uk. For details on the off-piste presentation see www.fitpro.com

  Talk to your GP before embarking on a new exercise regime and do not undertake physical activity if you feel unwell or are recovering from injury

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