LIVESTRONG ARTICLE: GETTIN' LOW

Full Article Here (with illustrated exercise routines)

One of the first signs of aging-related weakness and performance decline, whether on a bike, on skates, or in running shoes, is a tendency to straighten up—to “cheat up” a bit while accelerating or moving at prime speed. What’s more, staying low can mean staying young: It’s a veritable prevent defense for key bones and joints.

Whether you’re a runner or cyclist (or even an elliptical fan at the gym), adding speedskating or in-line skating workouts to your regimen can be both fun and a tonic for your lower body.

The trick is to build your base, stay low and stable, and work out more intently within your comfort zone.
The payoff: You’ll keep your quads, glutes, and core muscles fit, supple, and strong, when they otherwise might go soft with age or in winter.

“Anything you can do while in the skating [low] position will help with your endurance or fitness,” says Derek Parra, coach of the 2010 U.S. Winter Olympics long track speedskating team.
“You can be very strong in a weight room, you can be a strong runner, or you can be very physically fit in all those areas. But the ones who are strong in that skating position [or tuck position, as in skiing] are those who are the best in competition.”

Full Article Here (with illustrated exercise routines)