exercise to get riding fit which isn't riding?

J

Jesstickle

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evening all,

I've just been at the yard riding and my friend hopped on and instantly got about 10x more from my horse than me.

Partly she is a sickeningly good rider and I am not but in part I am fat and unfit and haven't ridden at all for three weeks. Plus I have midgety legs and a big horse. After 15 minutes I'm knackered and can no longer soak up his big movement properly so my hands start moving/ legs start whooshing about. I also have no leg left to move him forward so we end up grinding to a halt (not literally but as he is learning to work leg to hand it isn't great if my leg dissapears!)

What can I do to improve my riding fitness specifically. Riding one is not enough to keep me fit enough I don't think and until I back Nitty I only have him. My general fitness is not too bad ie aerobically I am ok. I need muscle strength in my core and legs and shoulders. How do I get this without an expensive gym subscription?

Pretty please HHO fitness gurus. It is embarrassing when someone else rides your horse better than you! I need help! :)
 
Walking, cycling and swimming are all good.

When I say walking, I don't mean a five minute stroll to the pub and back, but decent distances with preferably a hill or three thrown in.

As with any exercise, start off slowly / gently and gradually build up difficulty.
 
Rowenna said:
go out every night and dance like an eejit on acid - you'll be AMAZED how many muscles you use!!!:D:D:D
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Ha ha!! Luv it, and actually it is suprising how fit and toned it keeps you without even realising it, I certainly used to have far more stamina when i was out thinking i was the dancing queen!!!! Have to make do with pilates in my dotage!
 
Pilates.... I'll feel like a right plonker. Please don't be offended I'm just not that kind of girl. Think rugby/football playing girl. My mother calls me sturdy, meaning not willowy and elegant like people who do pilates. I'm like a baby elephant instead :D

However, as you all think it works, what is the cheapest way to gain access. I am very poor right now due to towing lessons (didn't pass test and have had to go into the red to take more lessons and another test which I am now terrified of but that's another story) but am open minded and would like to give it a go.

And thank you all for replying, and for resisting the urge to tell my fat backsided self to go on a diet!!! :D
 
I've always hated exercise for exercise sake. I have to be distracted and exercise by accident. The gym bored me rigid.

Step or aerobics classes with complicated choreography are fab. I used to go to one that was so complicated, I had to practice in my bedroom in between classes. And then, as soon as I'd got it, the instructor would change the routine, how rude!

I can't do it any more because I have a manky knee and am scared I won't be able to ride if I knacker my knee up any more, but it was so much fun and I'd do it again tomorrow if I could.

If classes aren't your thing, how about squash or something?

Competetive and exercising by accident again.
 
Pilates definatly improved my riding strength. You can get some really good 10 minute blocks (so oyu can do a max hour or as much as you can fit in) on play these are normally about £6. Really you could do with donig a course first as its hard to get the hang of but not impossible. Classes round essex vary from £6 to £10. Also do you have sky or freeview as there is a fitness chanel (near Horse and country tv) that has pilates for 30 mins and you could tape these then they are free!!
 
teebagsmum said:
I've always hated exercise for exercise sake. I have to be distracted and exercise by accident. The gym bored me rigid.

Step or aerobics classes with complicated choreography are fab. I used to go to one that was so complicated, I had to practice in my bedroom in between classes. And then, as soon as I'd got it, the instructor would change the routine, how rude!

I can't do it any more because I have a manky knee and am scared I won't be able to ride if I knacker my knee up any more, but it was so much fun and I'd do it again tomorrow if I could.

If classes aren't your thing, how about squash or something?

Competetive and exercising by accident again.
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All those things sound very fun. I used to love playing squash.

However I see your manky knee and raise you my utterly obliterated one! (snapped ligaments stuck back together with tendon and arthritic changes due to loss of cartilage. Blooming horses are dangerous!)

I should have said that anything non-linear is a no no. Or high impact (although I do still run) Hence me not playing rugby anymore. Or squash :D

I used to go to step class and the instructor was exactly the same. I just about worked it out and she always changed it. Was a hoot though. I used to fall on my butt reasonably often mind you. I always missed the step because I was concentrating on dancing. Durr
 
Oh that's a bummer.

Swimming then.

Swimming's dead boring.

Gallloping. Lots of galloping. Makes my stomach hurt the next day.

Gridwork. Lots of gridwork. Went Tuesday and felt like I'd been ran over by a truck. Stomach, front of arms, back of arms, inner thighs, back muscles, bum. All killing. And I paid for this?
 
teebagsmum said:
Oh that's a bummer.



Swimming's dead boring.
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Cor, isn't it though. After my second op all I was allowed to do re exercise was swim or cycle. Yawn!!

Galloping sounds like fun. When I rode the racehorses I had the flattest tummy ever. Maybe I'll just do this. Brown horse would love it too :)
 
My OH has been banging on at me for months to 'improve my core'

I run a yard of 14, ride 4 a day, walk the dogs etc etc so am pretty 'fit' but suprisingly my muscle tone/strength is poor.

Sorry, I am waffling now OH bought me a 'Gym Ball', a tenner from Tescos.

Initially I laughed but decided to humour him looked up some vids on Youtube, been doing it for 3 weeks now every day or at least every other day.

Had my first lesson since the arrival of the gym ball today & my instructor really noticed how my posture & overall position had improved, able to get my stumpy legs going effectively on my 17.3hh lump & I felt a lot stronger on board, like I was some use up there as opposed a flump!
 
Just wondering for those who have suggested Pilates, would this be painful to do if you have a bad back? or do you think it would be ok? This is something I have been considering doing for a while now too
 
Tackytoe said:
My OH has been banging on at me for months to 'improve my core'

I run a yard of 14, ride 4 a day, walk the dogs etc etc so am pretty 'fit' but suprisingly my muscle tone/strength is poor.

Sorry, I am waffling now OH bought me a 'Gym Ball', a tenner from Tescos.

Initially I laughed but decided to humour him looked up some vids on Youtube, been doing it for 3 weeks now every day or at least every other day.

Had my first lesson since the arrival of the gym ball today & my instructor really noticed how my posture & overall position had improved, able to get my stumpy legs going effectively on my 17.3hh lump & I felt a lot stronger on board, like I was some use up there as opposed a flump!
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Mine is always on at me to do some sit ups so at least I'm not the only one being nagged. There is a gym ball in my office at work. Maybe I'll have a go on Monday when no one's looking! Or maybe I'll just have a go when they are. I have no shame :D
 
Tackytoe said:
My OH has been banging on at me for months to 'improve my core'

I run a yard of 14, ride 4 a day, walk the dogs etc etc so am pretty 'fit' but suprisingly my muscle tone/strength is poor.

Sorry, I am waffling now OH bought me a 'Gym Ball', a tenner from Tescos.

Initially I laughed but decided to humour him looked up some vids on Youtube, been doing it for 3 weeks now every day or at least every other day.

Had my first lesson since the arrival of the gym ball today & my instructor really noticed how my posture & overall position had improved, able to get my stumpy legs going effectively on my 17.3hh lump & I felt a lot stronger on board, like I was some use up there as opposed a flump!
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jesstickle this sounds like a goer.
 
I was horrendous - Kept sliding off, lolloping about- I am far from graceful.
In fact my father has been known to describe me as, fairy elephant, butch and a whole host of other things!

But the good old Tesco Gym Ball seems to have done the trick.

OH is on nights this weekend and I vowed I would use it (tend to get slobby whilst he is on nights ie beers, take away stay in jods til bed time etc.....)

So when he left tonight I promised I would use it. Gym ball is still sat in the barn & I am sat her with a mug of mulled wine and bag Galaxy Counters - Whoops!!
 
Tackytoe said:
I was horrendous - Kept sliding off, lolloping about- I am far from graceful.
In fact my father has been known to describe me as, fairy elephant, butch and a whole host of other things!

But the good old Tesco Gym Ball seems to have done the trick.

OH is on nights this weekend and I vowed I would use it (tend to get slobby whilst he is on nights ie beers, take away stay in jods til bed time etc.....)

So when he left tonight I promised I would use it. Gym ball is still sat in the barn & I am sat her with a mug of mulled wine and bag Galaxy Counters - Whoops!!
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Your dad sounds like my mum and your OH sounds like mine too. Charming is the word I like to use :D

Right gym ball it is.

are you getting one too teabagsmum?

Oh and I think you are wise to have a day off. You don't want to overwork those muscles after all!!
 
ever thought of trying a spin class? i know you hate the cycling but it is a seriously hard workout but it seems to pass quickly and will get you fit very quick!

love the gym ball idea though me and my mate used to get a right giggle after a few glasses of wine trying to sit on them watching DVDs and eating crisps! :D we were supposed to be following the DVD that came with the gym ball but we ended up watching cheesy chick flicks!
 
jesstickle said:
are you getting one too teabagsmum?
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No I'm bloody not. I have enough stress in my life to keep me slim.

******** OH. (Actually, ex OH this week, but that is normal).

******** YO.

Brand new evil, neurotic, giant, 17hh, aggressive, spoilt, WB came to the yard today that wants to kick Toledo to bits and DH YO won't tell me where he's going and "mind your own business".

I have developed a new habit. It is French. I say "Pouff" whilst throwing my hands in the air.

Pouff!, DH YO. Pouff! Evil new WB.

Would rather keep mine in forever than have his leg broken by evil new WB.

And mine is a WB. But not an evil one.

Sorry, off thread big time.

But no, not getting a ball.

ETA - for goodness sake, HHO Police. I only typed pickhead. Beginning with D!!
 
teebagsmum said:
No I'm bloody not. I have enough stress in my life to keep me slim.

******** OH. (Actually, ex OH this week, but that is normal).

******** YO.

Brand new evil, neurotic, giant, 17hh, aggressive, spoilt, WB came to the yard today that wants to kick Toledo to bits and DH YO won't tell me where he's going and "mind your own business".

I have developed a new habit. It is French. I say "Pouff" whilst throwing my hands in the air.

Pouff!, DH YO. Pouff! Evil new WB.

Would rather keep mine in forever than have his leg broken by evil new WB.

And mine is a WB. But not an evil one.

Sorry, off thread big time.

But no, not getting a ball.

ETA - for goodness sake, HHO Police. I only typed pickhead. Beginning with D!!
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O dear. Why don't you give me some of your stress. Then I'll be skinny and you'll be a bit less stressed and we'll all be happy.

I can set my evil WBxTB on your evil WB if you like. He'll win I assure you. He is small but built like the proverbial brick ***** house. He kicked me a month ago and I still have the bruise so I think he must be pretty hardcore.

What else shall I deal with?
 
Pilates - and don't worry about not fitting in! I started it about 6 months ago and there are all sorts of shapes and sizes & ages there, it's not just for thin people! And whoever asked about it being good for a bad back, yes it can be. That's one of the main reasons I took it up (and because I stopped riding and needed something else to get core muscles back) and it has supported the physio i've had for my back (which was started by falling off a horse, and aggrevated by working on a laptop too much).

And as for exercise - running is free! Start with half an hour and gradually build it up. Even if you have to walk at first (so 5 mins running, 25 mins walking) and gradually increase the amount of running you do. I hate the gym but don't mind running as long as i've got the ipod. I can be nosy and run down streets looking at houses i want to live in!
 
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