Expert: Patrick Dean - 8/18/2006

Question


 Hi Patrick;

I just started windsurfing and i loved it.Can you advise me an offseason workout for windsurfing.I always go to gym and as you know keeping the motivation high at the gym is sometimes hard.I believe if i workout specially for windsurfing i can get better motivated and become more strong on the surf :)  

Answer
I like to do exercises where you are pulling a bar back like on a weight and pulley machine.  I actually made a weight system to do this. Lying on a bench I used a side of an old boom and attached steel cable to it about 10" wider than where I grip it and I ran the cables thru 2 puleys and down to the floor where I attached weights to the cable.  Lie on my back and pull down the boom with the weights.  This simulates the force of holding and trimming the sail in heavy wind.  Also squats with medium weights will keep you legs solid. Flys also help with keeping your arms and chest strong. And most important are exercises for your abdominals.  I use a rolling wheel with handles on each side and on my knees you hold the handles and roll forward without touching the ground and roll back, very good ab exercise.  Try to think about how you move and how you exert yourself when you are sailing and try to replicate those movements against weights in the gym. While you are working out remember the great feeling of windsurfing and charge hard through your work out.  Try to imagine sailing in 50 knots wind and go for it.   Good luck.