How to Use a Ski Machine: Simple Technique Tips for Smooth, Effective Cardio
The ski machine is a fantastic low-impact way to improve your fitness from home, especially if you're looking for a joint-friendly workout that works your whole body.
Whether you're completely new to ski machines or just want to improve your form, our in-house personal trainer Frank walks you through the key movement pattern, how to stay comfortable, and common mistakes to avoid, using the Ignite AirX Skier Ski Machine.
1. Set Up Your Position
- Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart, roughly 45–60 cm from the front of the machine.
- Hold the handles lightly with relaxed shoulders and slightly bent elbows.
- Reach overhead comfortably without overextending or arching your back.
- Engage your core and keep a soft bend in your knees.
- Maintain even balance through both feet.
- Keep your chest lifted, shoulders back, and eyes forward.
2. Drive Phase
This is the power part of the movement.
- Initiate from your hips and core, not just your arms.
- As you hinge forward, pull the handles downward in a controlled, powerful motion.
- Drive the handles past your thighs, finishing with arms extended near your sides.
- Power should come from your core, lats, and hips, not only the shoulders.
Tip: Make sure to hinge from the hips instead of squatting through the knees.
Tip: Focus on controlled power, not speed alone.
3. Recovery Phase
- Rise smoothly back to the starting position, lifting your hands overhead with control.
- Keep your spine neutral and core engaged — avoid arching or overreaching.
- Maintain a consistent rhythm — quick drive, smooth return.
Tip: Don't rush the recovery — use a 1:2 drive-to-recovery ratio: one second of power, two seconds of controlled recovery.
Breathing and Rhythm
- Exhale on the drive, inhale on the recovery.
- Keep your breathing steady to support endurance and rhythm.
- Maintain a smooth, cyclical motion — not jerky or rushed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these mistakes to maximise your results:
- Squatting instead of hinging from the hips.
- Pulling with just the arms — engage the core and torso first.
- Overextending at the top or bottom of the motion.
- Rushing recovery and losing rhythm.
- Rounding the back instead of keeping good posture.
Pro Tips
Some final tips from Frank on how to level up your workouts.
- Consistency matters more than speed — find a rhythm you can maintain.
- Start with short intervals while learning proper form.
- Log your times or strokes per minute to track progress — the JTX Ignite AirX Skier's Memory Mode allows you to store up to 99 workouts.
- Film a short clip from the side to check your posture and hinge motion.
Summary
Learning to use a ski machine might feel new at first, but once you get into a rhythm, it becomes a smooth, satisfying way to stay fit, without stressing your joints. By putting into practice these tips and techniques, you’ll quickly build confidence and control on the ski machine.
Just remember to focus on good posture, smooth rhythm, and steady progress to make every session count. With consistency and attention to form, the ski machine can become a rewarding part of your fitness routine — helping you develop strength, endurance, and full-body coordination over time. Discover more ski machine benefits here.
Now that you’ve got the hang of the dual-pole technique, put it to work in some of the ski machine workouts we’ve put together for you.
