Do you think there's a market for this?

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So for my sins I'm a nutrition professional in my day job, but am also qualified as a personal trainer (including exercise on GP referral for selected medical conditions).

Do you think there's a market for cross training for riders - e.g working to build core stability and muscle strength off the horse? Or perhaps when recovering from an injury? And I do sports nutrition as well.

Someone has suggested asking the livery manager at my new yard whether we could work something out based on them being able to offer my services in with the other yard offerings.

What do you think? I'm not sure yet whether I'd rather spend the time with my (currently imaginary) horse though. but a bit of extra cash is never any harm.

Paula
 
I wouldn't at your yard or you will never get time away from work but I can see this working in other yards or as a small local business.
 
I'd be interested in a trainer that specifically knew about riding. Have asked for consultations at gyms specifically to help with rising and the personal trainers are usually not very helpful!
 
That's quite rubbish of them. It's not difficult for them find sport specific literature out there and adapt it to the equipment in the gym. You can do a hell of a lot with a gym ball, a half roller and a set of dumbbells to be honest. :)

Paula
 
I have just started having a plates lesson every week at home .
This was suggested by my physio ( new one ) I have been having problems after a serious accident my ' core ' was seriously effected by spending a fair bit of five years on crutches I was having trouble getting my once very secure sitting trot back .
The teacher is a personal trainer with a special interest in Pilates it seemed a bit desperate housewives to me when suggested and cringed the first time I said 'my Pilates teachers says ' but it's definatly helping and the logic of doing was clear when I thought about what I spend on a dresaage lesson.
I would never have thought about it unless the physio had suggested it the trainer rides so thats a big help and she does make it fun too .
I think it would have helped me before my accident too it's clear to me as I begin to understand more about it that work in this area will protect riders backs.
How you would market and package this is what you will have to think I think a mixture of small groups if that would work and private lesson perhaps getting local dressage trainers on board and there will be local physios working wirh riders.
 
This would certainly be a useful aid to riders who have suffered injury or lack core strength for one reason or another. Why not speak to some local instructors/pony club/riding clubs etc and see if you could hire a local village hall or something similar and run some taster courses.
 
Although I wasn't present, I know our yard has had a lady in a couple of times who gave a core strength clinic using the large exercise balls etc. and was very well received.
 
Thanks for all the feedback. It's certainly something to consider. I trained so that I could go freelance, but I love my NHS job, despite the many frustrations so it's never quite happened and once I get a horse I probably won't have time. But one or two clients might help with my livery bill,

Paula
 
I would definitely use something like that. I do Pilates to try and get my core strong to help my back problems but would love to relate it to riding
 
Once i started martial arts training (Jujitsu and Brazilian Jujitsu) a few years ago it really improved my riding. Not only fitness and core strength but knowing that if I hit the dirt I knew how not to hurt myself. I think falling and rolling not only prevents injury but improves confidence. If you don't clutch on a fizzy horse because if it all goes wrong you can deal with it - you don't wind it up further.
 
Have you heard of Jon Pitts/Fit to Ride? He does a similar thing also incorporating confidence for riding aswell as keeping fit and being safe
 
This is something i would be interested in. Having had a serious accident and lots of major surgery over the past few years, i have been told by my consultant i possibly won't ride again. But if i could build up some core strength there may be hope! I shall look into this.
 
Yes definitely especially if there's a group of like minded people. Sitting on my balls in the evening (not literally as I'm female :D) on my own is rather boring
 
great idea! Wish you were nearer. How about contacting local riding clubs - local one near me used to have all sorts of this sort of thing to try group training.
 
Thanks all. I shall no doubt be busy with my horse to start off with (taking an expert to see a lovely friesian tomorrow but haven't even got one yet), but it sounds like a definite goer. Good job - I've just seen how much insurance costs. :eek:

Paula
 
emilyh said:
Have you heard of Jon Pitts/Fit to Ride? He does a similar thing also incorporating confidence for riding aswell as keeping fit and being safe
Click to expand...

I like th look of those falling clinics. In my day they just made you fall off a barrel and then try it off a horse on a lunge line in the indoor school. Hah health and safety was for cissies in the 1980s. :eek:
 
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