Exercises to improve core muscles

Toz

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 July 2013
Messages
184
Visit site
Hi
I don't have a particularly big frame, and don't have much muscle either. I have recently realised how much this affects my position and riding overall, after riding a horse that was extremely hard work to canter and meant that I would fall onto his neck afterwards because I just couldn't hold myself after it all!
I really want my riding to improve, and to do this I need to strengthen my core muscles and those that I use for riding. I can do plank etc, but can't do sit ups!
Has anyone experienced this problem and got helpful, easy to follow exercises or sports that help?
I know practise makes perfect, but the problem is I don't have a horse to practise on...
All help would be appreciated!
Thanks
 
Hefting large items, sitting on a horse that is trying to buck you off with no stirrups :p

I expect you'll find loads of videos on YouTube if you search for "core muscle exercises" or the like. If you sift through you'll probably find some decent ones :) we've been doing YouTube Pilate's workouts in my house. with much hilarity.
 
Also exercise your leg muscles, which are part of the core muscles and/or help them. Google exercises for your hip, hamstring and bum muscles that you can do at home with weights or therabands. One that I really like is in standing, kick leg straight to the side; in lying on your side, leg towards the ceiling.

I read in a horse magazine that belly dancing helps develop core muscles in horse riders :))

Failing joining a belly dancing troupe, stand up for a bit longer on your stirrups. (that is what my instructor made me work on). OOps just read that you don't have a horse to practice on. But, the advice below me will keep you moving :)
 
Last edited:
Swimming is great, dancing (salsa that kind of thing), cycling is good, walking as in hiking and hill walking, you know real whole body stuff! Sounds like you need to improve overall strength, perhaps you need to think about nutrition too.

Once you try Pilates etc you may find yourself doing the exercises during your daily activities, 'engaging your core' when poo picking and the like, definitely onto a winner then!

Oh and hula hooping, that's amazing!
 
As a qualified Fitness Professional myself, can I suggest that you go along to a class taken by a qualified person. Ideally you should be looking for someone who is REPS Level 2 or above, which means that they will (1) be proficient and (2) have relevant insurance.

Can I urge you PLEASE to not look too much on-line for exercises to do; or if you're going to do so, run them past a fitness professional first, as there are a lot of exercises out there that OK might be fine for fantastically fit people who are already warmed up, BUT you run the risk of injury if you do them if you're cold!!! So please take care.

Pilates is good for core muscle strength, but also more dancey things like e.g. Zumba are good for balance, agility and co-ordination. If you can find an instructor that uses gym-balls, these are the very best for improving balance and core strength........... or if they don't actually use them in their class perhaps they could show you some exercises to do with one.
 
Top