Don't wait until the snow starts falling to get in shape
for the next snowboarding season!
Now is the time to get your rear in gear for some serious
sledding! Try PusanWebs' City-Summer Work Out to get your
body boardin' ready! Though, you still have time to sharpen,
wax and tighten those bindings take advantage of these dog
days and perform your best on the trail this winter!
The Cash-Changer Crouch
Parts Worked: abs, glutes and your patience
Warm Up: A 100 meter sprint chasing after the bus
that passed by, unaware of you at the previous bus stop.
The Exercise: After depositing 1000 won in the changer,
move into the aisle as you prepare to take your change. Tightly
grab the vertical handrail in your left hand. Squat, remembering
to keep your back straight while you try to keep your balance
as the bus lurches forward. Keep your feet shoulder width
apart to avoid falling over with the sudden momentum. Remain
in the squatting position as you grab the change from the
machine with your right hand. Stand up using the handrail
for balance, only after the bus has discontinued its acceleration
to “warp speed”.
Work Out Schedule: Do these exercises twice daily
on your commute to and from the office. In as few as six weeks
you will have a toned tummy that will help you keep your balance
on the slopes (or the next time your bus makes a sudden stop).
Expert Advice: Don’t be afraid to push and shove your
way to the front of the “line” before entering the bus. Just
because she’s old enough to be your Grandma doesn’t mean she
won’t rush past you and take one of the last remaining seats.
This is not to say that you should ever allow an older person
to stand as you sit comfortably (even if some of the Korean
youth do!)-
Of course, insist that he/she take your seat. However, pushing
and shoving will give you a few extra seconds and may allow
you to get a seat and leave a teenage boy or some pregnant
lady to remain standing in the aisle instead of you.
Common Mistakes: Do not stand in the stairway as you
wait for your change. The bus driver will not close the door
behind you and it is possible to be ejected from the bus as
it begins to move. The bus driver will take great delight
if you fall out and you will not receive your change. You
will then be sitting in the road and out 1600 Won (including
the next bus) instead of 600.
The Payoff: You will enjoy an air conditioned/heated
ride to and from work everyday for a modest price. You will
acquire the muscle and coordination you will need to get up
on your board. If you do get thrown from the bus, you will
understand the humiliation you are likely to incur at the
ski resort as you do a face-plant( thanks to those gigantic
boots), while standing in line to pay an hours’ wages for
a warm Coke and a cold hotdog.
The Shuttle Shred
Getting Ready: Grab the rail above your head as you
begin your walk down the aisle. Brachiate past the seated
passengers towards the back of the bus by putting one hand
in front of the other, simian-style. Stand facing the window,
feet shoulder-width apart, with your toes pointing slightly
outward.
The Exercise: Once you're in position, remember to
keep your knees loose and slightly bent. Use the handrail
above you for support only. Keep your balance on the bumps
and the 80 kph turns by contracting your abdominal muscles
as well as your glutes and quadriceps. As you round a corner
to your right lean back and dig your heel edge in. As you
take a turn to the left, lean in as you dig your toes into
that curve. One very important thing to remember is to stick
your tush out! This will help keep your balance while working
your glutes. Do not attempt this move if the bus is extremely
crowded, as it will perpetuate the myth that all Westerners
have big butts. Be prepared to be stared at, laughed at or
groped if your rump is larger than medium in size.
Parts Worked: Deltoids, biceps, glutes, quads and
jaw muscles (as you clench your teeth anxiously with each
turn)
Work Out Schedule: To get a complete work-out (upper
body, lower body, mentally and physically) try this move following
the Cash Changer Crouch.
Expert Advice: Use this easy method to help you decide
which foot you place in front. Facing a busy street, stand
on the edge of the sidewalk on the heels of your feet, your
toes hanging in mid air. Wait several seconds until a hurried
ajuma shoves you out into traffic. If your right foot naturally
steps out to save you from becoming a pedestrian fatality,
you will ride the bus (and
your snowboard) with your right foot at the rear. Your left
foot will lead you down the slope (street). If your left foot
goes out first, then your right foot will be strapped on the
front of your board, your left foot at the back. It's called
"goofy-footed" when you lead with your right. It's called
just plain goofy if you balance on a busy Korean sidewalk,
waiting to become a statistic.
Common Mistakes: You thoughtlessly take up too much
space on the bus with your buttocks while negotiating a turn.
If you are unsure of the size of your seat, then try this
easy test: Does the waitress know you by name at TGI Fridays?
Is the number of beers you drink in a week equivalent to your
age(Western age)? Do you ask someone more than once a week,
"Do these
pants/shorts/shoes make my butt look big?" If you answer yes
to any of the above questions, then you will soon have a big
butt if you don’t already.
The Payoff: Every time you ride a Pusan bus you will
automatically here the “Hawaii 5-0” theme in your head as
you “ride” down the city streets. You will feel comfortable
knowing all the right moves to start off your season like
one of the pros!
Getting off the lift without a hitch…
Often, the most intimidating factor in snow boarding is the
lift! For some, learning how to take off down the trail without
taking "out" your lift companion can be a sport in itself!
The best remedy for a disappointing lift descent is a little
practice and some confidence. As you see your stop approaching,
prepare to disembark by making your way to the exit. Understand
that like a ski lift, the bus will not come to a complete
stop before you exit. Once the speed has decreased to roughly
10 kph and the driver has opened the door, quickly make your
jump
to the barely moving sidewalk. When you reach the sidewalk,
DO NOT STOP! You must hit the ground running and continue
to move down the sidewalk. Stopping after the dismount will
likely cause a bottleneck or worse, you may be flattened by
the same ajuma that pushed you off of the sidewalk earlier
in the day
Now that you’re in shape for it, head to the trail, and strap
on that board, it’s time to ride!
In next months Pusan Web "Get in Shape" series we'll show
you how to altitude train for the 2002 Mt. Everest expedition
by dancing at any one of several smoke-filled, oxygen-deprived
night clubs throughout Korea!
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