With the fast pace of today's water ski shows and the greater demands placed on skiers to obtain all-around skills, a great deal is asked from our bodies. We need to do things that will increase our chances for success while minimizing the potential for injury. This doesn't mean we have to be paranoid of injury, but rather understand what leads to injury and do the things that minimize injury potential. So when preparing for the season, there are four basic areas to address - strength, flexibility, cardiovascular and mental. While these four areas overlap, it is important to maintain a good balance and have fun.
Strength training is a science in itself.
However, it is obvious that building your strength is an important component of increasing performance. While you definitely want to develop the muscles that you use, don't forget to work the opposing muscle groups as well. This will help keep a good balance and will lead to fewer imbalance injuries. There is an almost endless volume of information on how to strength train and this sometimes may seem overwhelming. A good recommendation is to consult a trainer, physical therapist or sports medicine specialist.