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On a topic totally unrelated to my bad-ish pictures, I have been thinking alot of about fitness and getting into shape. Generally speaking and for improving my riding. The two go hand in hand, in my opinion. For various reasons, I have let my workouts and my health suffer a bit over the past couple of years. Starting back into riding again has made that painfully obvious!
I'm sure there are lots of people that work outside and/or ride a bunch of horses a day - those people probably don't have the fitness problems that your average-stuck-in-an-office-ride-3x-a-week folks do. I'm sure some people feel that the best training for riding is riding - I can't disagree with that, but I also feel that there is room for specific improvements to overall fitness that can benefit riding ability.
There are a few books geared towards fitness and flexibility for riding - a quick search on amazon.ca lists quite a few - Flexibility and Fitness for Riders, Fitness for Horse & Rider, Pilates for the Dressage Rider, Yoga on Horseback: A Guide to Mounted Yoga Exercises for Riders, The Rider's Fitness Program, etc. etc. Are some of these books a bit gimicky? I'm guessing maybe... Several magazines have run articles on fitness as well, the APHA journal had a big series on it in 2008 (I think) and I've seen articles in Dressage Today and some British riding magazines, to name a few.
I haven't purchased any of these books yet, as I happen to know a great lady that specializes in equestrian fitness. I've been saving up a bit of money so that I can set up a small program with her and work at getting back in shape. I seem to do better with someone helping to motivate me.
Check out her web site when you get a chance - you can sign up for free monthly fit-tips related to riding and training. Equifitt.com is also writing a weekly blog on specific exercises for riding positions - each week she critiques (in a nice way) someone's basic riding position and then makes suggestions for exercises that could help. I plan to start reading these posts regularly - any way to learn is good, in my opinion! I'm too chicken to send her pics of my riding right now - but maybe someday...
I think all types of riders could benefit from specific training like this - someone who is out of shape like me will benefit from any exercise program at all and someone who is quite fit and advanced may be able to add some specific core strengthening exercises to their existing workout to help their riding get to the next level. Strengthening your core muscles - abs and back can go a long way in making your riding more balanced and strong.
7 comments:
"Strengthening your core muscles - abs and back can go a long way in making your riding more balanced and strong."
That's true. The problem is just to find the time to do it.
I hope you will enjoy your program.
A size 6? I'm happy with a size 14! I think the last time that I was a size 6 what when I was 6 years old. I think it depends on your bone structure. My mother is skinny as a stick, but she's a size 12.
Anyway, I literally just got that book you have pictured in this post in the mail yesterday. I haven't had much of a chance to look at it yet, but will probably write a review when I'm done. Most of the exercises are ones I already know about and do, but there are a few nuggets in there. I don't know if a book is really going to inspire me to exercise. We'll see.
In the meantime, thanks for the link. I'll check it out.
Don't get me wrong, NuzMuz, I'm nowhere NEAR a size 6 anymore - I just meant that shopping for riding clothes at anything above a 6 is cruel and unusual punishment!
Can't wait to get a book review from you and Nuz!
Excellent post, Laura. And I totally agree. I think I might not have fallen off my horse had my legs/thighs and core been stronger.
Just 2 weeks before I fell off I had been having weakness in my left leg and soreness in my left knee, so it was weak when I fell.
Right now I'm just working on getting the ability to walk again, but once that is accomplished I hope to have my PT create an exercise plan for me to build up the muscles needed to ride safely again.
I'll be checking out the website you mentioned, too.
Thanks!
~Lisa
I am a huge fan of staying fit - before my accident I had a continuous exercise program going geared towards being fit for not only horse riding, but the Mountain Biking and Hiking I commonly did...
I am with you sista! lol Getting BACK in shape just plain ol'sucks! It is so hard! But my advice is to set a short term goal, like two weeks... say, "for the next two weeks I am going to work out every single day but (for example) Saturday and Wednesday. That is only 10 workouts but it will make a HUGE difference in your energy and modivate you to keep going. Starting is the hardest part.
Also, I have found that yoga or pilates is AWESOME for riding because (when done properly) it is a CORE based exersize. But I needed to combine that with some kind of cardio (like tread mill, hiking, biking etc.) The strength, balance, and self awareness that yoga builds will really impact your riding. I use at home DVDs that I bought at London Drugs (walmart would probably have them too.) The production company Gaiam puts out good consistant products....
http://www.gaiam.com
My favorite is:
Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss DVD
Suzanne Deason
$15.00
There are 4 different levels to follow but you have to go slow or you can hurt yourself.
Hope that helps!
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