Getting In Shape To Be A Better Rider

Getting in Shape to Be a Better Rider

Today is another day of VEDA, that is vlogging every day, so there is a video that goes a long with this blog post. Which is really fitting for today, because I don’t know about you, but actually seeing someone do exercises works better for me than reading how to do them. Because I have a goal, getting in shape to be a better rider. And I thought I would share with you how I am doing it.

Sometimes we are not able to ride every day. If you are like me, most times you are not able to ride every day. Life has a tendency to happen, and if you are leasing a horse, or just in riding lessons 1 or 2 times a week, riding every day just isn’t an option. If you aren’t riding every day, how can you build up the muscles necessary to help you ride better?

You may not like what I am going to tell you, but here goes…..

You need to exercise every day, regardless if you ride, or not. More specifically, you should be doing strength training exercises on the days you don’t ride. I know, I know, it’s not easy to do. But, creating habits is something we all do, it’s just how we choose to look at them that makes it hard to stick with!

So I have found 5 relatively simple exercises that we can do on a daily basis that will improve our riding in general. And it will help tone some troublesome areas on our bodies too!

And just a quick disclaimer, you should check with your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough to do these exercises!

Plank

This one is the best. If you are going to only do one exercise a day, do this one! Start by getting into a push up position. Now, bend your elbows and rest your weight onto your forearms and not on your hands. Your body should form a straight line from shoulders to ankles. Engage your core by sucking your belly button into your spine. And hold this position for about 20 seconds, if you can. Gradually increase the time up to 2 minutes. I like to do this exercise in the evenings when I am watching TV, and I do it during the commercials. It makes the commercial breaks faster, and I get in a few exercises that will help my riding!

Bicycle Exercise

This is a fun one! This is done with you lying on your back. You put your arms behind your head, and bring up your knees to meet the opposite elbows. Don’t let your head rest on the ground in between the movements. This is a killer exercise for your abs! And it helps while you are twisting in the saddle. Do each side 10 times, and work up to 3 sets of this exercise.

Old Gray Mare

I don’t think this is the true name of this exercise, but this is what my mother always called it, so I like it, and call it that.

But what you will do is get onto your hands and knees. You will raise your left arm up and your right leg. Bring your left arm and your left leg to your chest, so they almost meet. Then you will extend each limb straight out away from your body, slowly. You want to do this without moving, so no bouncing or wobbling. And then you return to the original position, and then switch to your right arm and left leg. The goal is to be able to do the movement fluidly. This will help you to be more balanced in the saddle. Do this exercise 10 times (or work up to it) on each side, and work up to 3 sets.

Simple Squat

I don’t know why this is called simple, because honestly, there is nothing simple about a squat!

Stand with your head facing forward and your chest held up and out. Then place your feet shoulder-width apart or slightly wider. Extend your hands straight out in front of you to help keep your balance. You can also bend the elbows or clasp the fingers if it is easier for you.

Sit back and down like you’re sitting into an imaginary chair. Keep your head facing forward as your upper body bends forward a bit. Rather than allowing your back to round, let your lower back arch slightly as you descend.

Lower down so your thighs are as parallel to the floor as possible, with your knees over your ankles. Press your weight back into your heels.

Keep your body tight, and push through your heels to bring yourself back to the starting position.

You want to do this exercise in sets of 10, and if you can work up to doing 3 sets of 10 squats. Simple? Right?!?!

Flutter by kick

I like this one too. I have seen a similar one, called superman, because you lift your arms and legs as if you are flying like superman!

But this is a good exercise to strengthen your back, which you will really use while you are riding.

So to do this exercise, lay on your tummy flat on the floor. Have your hands outstretched in front of you. Raise your arms and legs off the floor and gently flutter your arms and legs, as if you were swimming. Do this for 10 seconds, and then gently lower your arms and legs back to the floor. Do this 3 times to begin, and work yourself up to 10 repetitions.

There are a lot of different exercises you can do to improve your riding. I like these because they are fairly simple, and straightforward. If you have others that you find help you more, do them! That is the most important thing, DO THEM! Every day map out some time for yourself to exercise. At first you will be sore, and they will be challenging, but your riding will improve, I promise!

How about you? Do you have a favorite exercise you like to do that helps to improve your riding? I would love to try it! Share it with me in the comment section below! And until next time, stay passionate, and enjoy your ride!