CMU Cross Country Ski Team: Strength Workouts

A collection of strength workouts designed for cross country skiers. These target upper body, core, lower body, and full-body power and stability.


Strength Circuit #1

Warm-Up (10 minutes)

  • Arm circles (30s forward, 30s backward)
  • High Knees
  • Bodyweight Squats
  • Rowing machine

Circuit 1: Upper Body & Back (Repeat 2x)

  • Pull-Ups (assisted if needed): 8–12 reps
  • Single-Arm Dumbbell Row: 10 reps/side
  • Push-Ups or Chest Press: 20–25 reps
  • Seated Cable Row: 10–12 reps
  • Lat Pulldowns: 10–12 reps
  • Barbell Press: 10–12 reps

Circuit 2: Core & Stability (Repeat 2x)

  • Push-Ups: 20–25 reps
  • Hanging Sit-ups: 20–25 reps
  • Russian Twist (med ball): 25 per side
  • Ab Wheel Roll-Out (knees): 25 reps

Circuit 3: Lower Body (Repeat 2x)

  • One-Legged Squats: 15 reps/leg
  • Side Lunge + Chest Press: 12–15/leg
  • Lunges in Place: 25 reps/leg

Cool-Down & Stretch (5 minutes)

  • Child’s Pose (1 min)
  • Cat-Cow Stretches (1 min)
  • Seated Forward Fold (2 min)
  • Chest Opener Stretch (1 min)

Strength Circuit #2

Warm-Up

  • Arm circles (30s forward/back)
  • High Knees
  • Bodyweight Squats
  • Jumping Jacks

Circuit 1: Upper Body & Back (Repeat 2x)

  • Pull-Ups (can be assisted): 8–12 reps
  • Single-Arm Dumbbell Row: 10 reps/side
  • Chest Press: 10–12 reps
  • Tricep Dips (vertical): 25 reps

Circuit 2: Core & Stability (Repeat 2x)

  • Push-Ups: 20–25 reps
  • Hanging Leg Raises (or bench): 20–25 reps
  • Medicine Ball Side Throw (partner): 20 per side
  • Plank (knee to elbow): 3 x 2 min
  • Mountain Climbers: 20 reps

Circuit 3: Lower Body (Repeat 2x)

  • One-Legged Squats: 12 per leg
  • Walking Lunges: 25 per leg
  • Tibialis Anterior Raises: 12 per leg
  • Single Leg Box Jumps: 15 per leg
  • Lateral Band Steps
  • Calf Raises: 15–20 reps

Cool-Down & Stretch

  • Upper Body Stretch
  • Lower Body Stretch
  • Core Stretch
  • Back Stretch

Strength Circuit #3 - Lower Body Focus

Warm-Up / Activation (with Resistance Bands)

  • Banded Squat
  • Standing Glute Kickback
  • Standing Knee Raise
  • Clamshells
  • Lateral band steps
  • Quick feet against the box

Light Core & Stability (Repeat 2x)

  • Push-Ups: 15–25 reps
  • Russian Twist with weight: 25 per side
  • Ab Wheel Roll-Out: 15 reps
  • Leg Raises: 25 reps

Lower Body (Repeat 2x)

  • Side Lunge with Chest Press (plate): 12–15 reps/leg
  • Lunges in Place: 20 reps/leg
  • Squat Jumps with Dumbbells: 20 reps
  • Tibialis Anterior Raises: 12 reps/leg
  • Sled Push: 25% max load, 10–20 yards x4
  • Calf Raises: 15 reps x 3
  • Barbell Back Squat: 8–12 reps x 2

Cool-Down & Stretch (5 minutes)

  • Stretch all major muscle groups with focus on glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves

Building Strength and Power

Notes

  • Rest Between Sets: 60–90 seconds
  • Emphasis: Form and full range of motion
  • Progression: Gradual increase of weight or intensity

Warm-Up (10 minutes)

  • Jumping Jacks: 3 x 25 reps
  • Leg Swings: 2 x 10 each leg
  • Arm Circles: 2 x 15 each direction
  • Bodyweight Squats: 2 x 15 reps
  • High Knees: 2 x 30 seconds

Main Workout (50 minutes)

  • Barbell Back Squat: 4 x 6–8
  • Deadlift: 4 x 6–8
  • Pull-Ups (weighted if possible): 4 x 8–10
  • Barbell Bench Press: 4 x 6–8
  • Power Clean: 4 x 4–6
  • Bulgarian Split Squat: 3 x 8–10 each leg

Cool Down (5–10 minutes)

  • Hamstring Stretch: 2 x 30s each leg
  • Quad Stretch: 2 x 30s each leg
  • Calf Stretch: 2 x 30s each leg
  • Chest Stretch: 2 x 30s
  • Lat Stretch: 2 x 30s each side

Strength Circuit #5

Warm-Up (10 minutes)

  • Jump Rope: 100 skips
  • Bodyweight Squats: 25 reps
  • Box Jumps: 3 x 20 (2-legged, 1-legged, rotational)

Circuit 1: Upper Body & Back (Repeat 2x)

  • Pull-Ups (assisted if needed): 8–12 reps
  • Barbell Row: 3 x 8–12 reps/side
  • Chest Press: 3 x 8–12 reps
  • Tricep Dips: 3 x 15–25 reps
  • Bicep Curls: 3 x 8–12 reps

Circuit 2: Core & Stability (Repeat 2x)

  • Push-Ups: 20–25 reps
  • Bench Leg Raises with Hip Lift: 20–25 reps
  • Russian Twist (kettlebell/dumbbell): 3 x 15 reps
  • Flutter Kicks: 3 x 20 reps
  • Mountain Climbers: 3 x 20 reps

Circuit 3: Lower Body (Repeat 2x)

  • Lunges: 25 reps each leg (bodyweight or dumbbells)
  • Tibialis Anterior Raises: 12 reps each leg
  • Lateral Band Steps
  • Calf Raises: 15–20 reps

Strength Circuit #6

Warm-Up (10 minutes)

  • Jump Rope or Dynamic Skipping: 3 minutes
  • Dynamic Stretches: Leg Swings, Arm Circles, Hip Openers – 3 minutes
  • Resistance Band Activation: Lateral Band Walks, Glute Bridges – 4 minutes

Main Workout (45 minutes)

  • Pull-Ups: 3 x 8–10
  • Dumbbell Bench Press: 3 x 10–12
  • Barbell Deadlifts: 3 x 8–10
  • Box Jumps: 3 x 15
  • Dumbbell Walking Lunges: 3 x 20 steps
  • Plank with Arm/Leg Raises: 3 x 45s
  • Medicine Ball Russian Twists: 3 x 30 reps
  • Stability Ball Hamstring Curls: 3 x 15