Park City has a lot to offer those looking for luxurious living and making a second home in this resort town is a great choice. One of the best things about living here is that you get to indulge in any number of outdoor activities, most notably winter sports like skiing, snowboarding and maybe even ice skating.

There’s no doubt that snow sports always spark a sense of excitement and adventure. Nothing really matches up to the feeling of hurtling down a mountainside while balancing on your skis.

However, you definitely get more fun out of it if you’re physically fit. Hitting the slopes underprepared can leave you feeling worn out and you’ll be disappointed if you have to constantly head in early from the slopes because you’re tired and sore. Even worse, failing to prepare your body adequately can increase your chances of falls and injuries.

To avoid all this, it’s advisable to have a gym in your Park City home.

Why a gym in your home is a good idea

Being a pro-skier requires a combination of the right technique to accurately maneuver yourself efficiently down the slope as well as the stamina and muscle strength to stay on the slopes for hours on end. You’ll also need to be sufficiently flexible to shift your weight during turns, hone your reaction time in off-balance situations and maximize your mobility for both on and off-piste skiing.

Specific training is therefore important to physically prepare your body, help you avoid injury and also help you recover after a full days’ skiing. Having a well-stocked home gym will help you:

• Strengthen your lower body.

• Build up stamina.

• Speed up the recovery process.

Gym equipment that you’ll require

Other than a basic exercise or gym mat (for planks, push ups, stretches, etc) you’ll also need the following:

• Foam roller – Foam rolling before skiing can help decrease muscle fatigue and improve your performance. It can also decrease muscular exhaustion and reduce soreness if used post skiing.

• Treadmill – Purchase a home treadmill and use it to work out your lower body, especially the quads, glutes and hamstrings. This machine can help you build stamina and endurance that’ll come in handy on the slopes.

• FreeStride Trainer – If you don’t want to invest in a treadmill, a FreeStride Trainer is your next best bet. It’s a versatile piece of equipment that does the work of three fitness machines namely an elliptical, stair climber and treadmill, giving you a wide range of motion.

• Dumbbells – A set of medium-weight dumbbells will help you work your hamstrings and avoid injury by doing some dumbbell deadlifts.

• Grand Tour Bike - This exercise bike is for those looking to do some mountain biking. It allows you to get a feel for both incline and decline biking while helping to tone your lower body.

To get the most out of your skiing trips, invest in a gym in your second home. Your body will thank you for it.