Is it true that cross-country skiing is the best full body workout?

— Don Mueller, Columbus, Ohio

If it is not the best, it certainly is one of the best types of exercise for a full body workout, especially when the weather turns cold. Some would argue that swimming fits the bill, but the benefit of having to move your body against good ol' gravity, without the pounding of running, gives the edge to Nordic skiing. Cross-country, whether skating, classic style or backcountry, utilizes both the upper and lower body for propulsion as well as for balance, making it great for aerobic conditioning, strength, and coordination. Because of the technical nature of the activity, you can speed up your enjoyment and the fitness benefit by taking a few lessons on technique. You can be like Norwegian gold medallist Bjorn Daehlie and learn to ski classic and skating style. The movements are slightly different and offer the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of the Nordic experience, from the narrow single-track classic trail to the wide-open skating lanes.

If you're a summer athlete looking for a way to stay in shape, cross-country is a great choice. Runners will benefit from classic style skiing due to the similarity of movement. In fact, some of the best Nordic ski racers are also sub-30-minute 10k runners. Cyclists tend to prefer skating to classic, as it favors powerful hips and legs. If you are using cross country skiing for building an aerobic base and want to keep the intensity down, classic style is a better choice than skating, as you can easily moderate the intensity by walking. This is especially true if the terrain in which you ski is hilly.

If you're looking to add Nordic skiing to your list of athletic accomplishments, start by taking a lesson. Practice transferring your weight completely from one ski to the other, keeping your weight over the middle of the ski (don't sit back); then, relax your feet, think relaxed and fluid movements (the Norwegians liken skiing to dance), and ski behind someone with good technique and use them as a role model. Most importantly, relish in the true gift of winter--the slipperiness of snow--and slide and glide your way to better fitness.