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