Ultimate Snowboard Workout EP 1: Beginner Rail Tricks
Kick off the Ultimate Snowboard Workout series with ten minutes of follow-along rail training from Nev Lapwood. This session builds the balance, leg strength and body position behind your first rail tricks: frontside 50-50s, backside 50-50s and backside boardslides.
Your setup: a Jib Board and a Balance Bar. For an extra balance challenge, add the WTP Rail Extension on top of the bar for a rounded, narrower surface.
Warm up with jumps over the bar
Start by jumping all the way over the bar, jumping a 180, then jumping all the way back over. Then step it up with frontside and backside jumps across the bar. These reps get your heart rate up and train the quick, springy legs every rail entry needs.
Frontside and backside 50-50s
- Frontside 50-50: rail in front of you, jump up, land balanced with your weight centered over the bar, then hop back off the same side.
- Backside 50-50: rail behind you, same balanced stance over the bar.
- Absorb everything: your knees and ankles are your shock absorbers. Stay low and soft on every landing.
- Add hops: single hops, then double hops, while staying on the bar. A three to five second hold means you nailed it.
Counter rotation for boardslides
Push the bar aside, jump and twist the board 90 degrees, then twist it back to forwards, with your upper and lower body moving against each other just like a shifty. Then jump up onto the bar and repeat it there, landing with your weight equal on both feet.
Backside boardslides
Combine the backside 50-50 jump with that twist and you have a backside boardslide. Keep your chest facing forward as you initiate, twist into the slide, then twist back out to ride away forwards.
Turn up the challenge
Move to the WTP Rail Extension on top of the bar. The smaller surface sharpens every hold, and if you slip off, hop straight back up and go again. If it feels too tough, the base bar is a great place to keep building.
Take it to the snow
Ten minutes a day builds the muscles, balance and mindset you take straight onto snow: centered 50-50s, smooth absorption and a confident backside boardslide on your first park day.
Next workout: Ultimate Snowboard Workout EP 2: Boardslide Focused