Skiing is a sport that requires utter balance, concentration, skills, and confidence. But do you really think that you can ski through the mountains if you are obese? Many people have this concern because, well, obesity is quite common. The food we are eating, the environment, the stress, and all those things can cause obesity. But that is where the primary concern arrives: can you really ski if you are overweight?
Yes, you can ski if you are obese or quite overweight than average. But during your adventure, you might face some problems like balancing, and they can be pretty dangerous too.
So what is the best solution to that? You cannot really risk your life and body for the sake of skiing if you are obese, so it is better to find something that would help you out. And that is where I would help you with some of the tips for obese people who are looking forward to ski. Indeed, they won’t be a piece of cake to proceed with. You will have to do your best in order to achieve what you actually want.
Top 5 Tips For Skiing When Overweight That Can Actually Help You Out!
So here is the list of the five best tips for skiing when overweight. Make sure to check them all out and then evaluate which one would be good for you.
1. Learn the art – Balancing
If you have learned how to balance, you have already accomplished half of the hurdles you would facing while skiing. Balancing is unquestionably one of the hardest things you would be learning, and it could even take months or weeks for you to learn it professionally. Not only that, balancing can be pretty hard even if you are not obese or have an average weight. And of course, the scenario is even complex for the people who are relatively obese.
That is why you will first have to focus on your balancing and try out the best possible things to proceed further. Here are some crucial things you can try out to sort out your balancing issues, but surely, they can take time:
- Wear your skis and stand up in the snow. Standing up is the first step of balancing, and you will indeed have to focus on that. Make sure that you are steadily standing on the ski without jiggling here and there. If you can constantly stand on your ski for a minute without falling, then congrats, you have passed the first step.
- The second thing that you can do is see others and evaluate how they do it. You can understand their technique and implement the same things they do while skiing. It will surely help you out to improve your balance.
- The last and the most obvious thing you would do is practice! Do not go on top of the mountain; start from the below, but make sure to start! Starting is the thing that will help you enhance your balancing, and you will gradually see yourself getting better.
Make sure not to give up during the process, or else you will be missing out on one of the craziest sports.
2. Correct your posture
Posture also matters quite a lot in skiing as it is the thing that keeps you going for your whole ride. Not only that, but you will surely also have to learn how to cope up with a fall. Many people forget their actual pose and get confused after the fall, and that is what creates problems for them. You will have to master your posture and integrate it into your mind. It will help you gain conscience after the fall.
Not only that, but when you are obese, the posture can go even wrong due to the problems caused while standing. That is why you will have to push a little more complicated than expected to get things right!
3. Choose the correct ski size!
This is one of the things that will surely help you out while skiing, even if you are obese. If you think you can compromise on your ski and can use the ski of your brother or friend without any problems, then you are surely wrong! You will have to opt for a specific ski according to your weight.
If you don’t know, then skis are designed in a way that would support the body weight in the best way. So you will have to choose a long ski that could bear your weight with ease without hassling you. If you go with a short ski, you will probably fall in the midway, or the ski will even break down into two pieces. So the actual choice is yours! Compromise, and fall, or spend, and enjoy the moment at its fullest.
4. Go for the right equipment
Boots, knee protectors, arm protectors, and helmets are some of the things that you will have to put extra care in. If you are obese, you might have excessive fat in any part of your body, and that is where you will have to be extra careful. Make sure that the equipment you are buying is not too tight for you. All of the things should be comfortable and sound so that you can ski with ease.
Aside from that, finding the proper boots can also be a big hassle for you because of obesity. The first problem is, pairing your boots with the ski is already a hefty problem. And even after that, finding the right pair of boots according to your preferences can be an even bigger problem. So you might have to spend quite a long time on the internet finding the proper boots, but you will have to do it for the best results.
5. Avoid complex curves and routes
Skiing is fun and all until you face a drastic curve that you could not control and fall down. Managing the curves can be very tricky sometimes, and it indeed requires quick movement. But do you think you can quickly move your body if you are obese? Probably not! That is why it is better to avoid complex curves that can endanger your experience. You can probably try skiing for months, and after you have gotten experience, and then you can try your luck on the complex routes.
But still, you can enjoy skiing on the direct and straightforward route with easy curves. You will surely and definitely be able to enjoy the most of it, too, without creating troubles for yourself.
What is the weight limit for an individual for skiing?
The most common weight limit for an individual followed throughout the world is 220 pounds. This means that if you are having a weight of 220 pounds or above, it is not recommended for you to ski. But does it mean you will give up on your dream and the adventurous ride? Unquestionably not! That is where you will have to follow all the tips mentioned above and do the impossible. Even if you weigh above 190-200 pounds, you can consider the tips for your own protection.
And yes, do note that the weight limit mentioned above is for the skis and not the ski lifts. So do not confuse both of them and create even more significant problems.
Can losing weight enhance your skiing experience?
The simple and the plain answer is yes! It does not precisely matter how bitter the truth is; you will have to get over it! Skiing experience can become a lot better if you weigh less as you get more control over your body, your movement gets better, your control gets better, and your balancing gets easier.
These are some of the reasons why losing weight can enhance your skiing experience. But do not stress yourself too much, and start implementing tremendously brutal ways to lose weight. Just follow a diet plan, exercise, and eat healthy to lose as much weight as you can. You will clearly feel a difference when skiing after shedding some pounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do you ski faster if you are heavier?
A- Yes, if you are heavier, you will be able to ski faster than the lighter ones. This is because the air resistance is lower in the case of the heavier person. And of course, being too obese or heavier can turn out the situation for you, so it is better to keep things in the middle.
2. Does weight affect ski size?
A- Yes, weight does affect the ski size you are going to opt for. If you are heavier, you will have to go with skis that are longer and sturdier. If you have average weight, you can go with the shorter skis. But it is better to check the weight chart in order to evaluate all the things better.
3. Why do you need your weight for skiing?
A- The primary reason behind the requirement of weight for skiing is to pick the most suitable ski for your body. As the ski flexion solely depends on your weight, it is quite essential to know your exact weight. This will also decide how much length of the ski would be good for you.
4. Can I ski if I am out of shape?
A- Yes, you can ski if you are out of shape, but you will have to face the consequences. Being overweight or obese will add some hurdles to your skiing journey, and you will have to solve them through the tips mentioned above. Just make sure that you are not too overweight and can balance yourself properly, even after multiple tries.
5. Are lighter skis better for beginners?
A- Yes, lighter skis are relatively better for beginners to use. This is because lighter skis can be easily turned on curves or unusual routes. It would be hard for beginners to control a heavier ski because of inexperience. So if you are a beginner looking forward to starting your skiing journey, you can start with light skis.
The verdict!
So these are some of the tips you can follow whole skiing with an obese body. The thing is, everything is possible if you are enthusiastic and determined enough. No one would be able to discourage you due to your weight if you have enough willpower. So start preparing for that adventurous ride by following the tips mentioned above! Surely enough, the experience will be more than excellent!
