Fitness help.

[Walrus]

OK I need to pick your brains if that's ok. I only ride once a fortnight at the moment - I have a half an hour lesson with one other person and we tend to alternate between flat and jumping and the odd bit of x-country. Had a x-country lesson today and was gasping just after the warm up. I need to seriously get fit. At the moment I do no exercise except the riding

. I know I need to improve my cardiovascular fitnedd dramatically and I think I will have to bite the bullet and go jogging which I hate. But I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to how I can improve leg and core strength - as I find it quite hard to hold my position and today my legs and stomach were hurting from holding the light seat for x-country. I know in general I'm just an unfit blob but was wondering if anyone had anything they could recommend, preferably that's cheap as I can't really afford to join a gym. Thank you.

*fingers crossed the new sig works!

 

[Governor]

Swimming!
Will improve your core strength and leg muscles and doesn't feel quite as hard work as running.

Cycling will also help particularly if you find some hills and get out of the saddle - pretty much the same muscles as taking a forward seat xc.

Pilates classes can cost as little as £3 a class and is fantastic for core strength and general toning - plus its pretty relaxing.

 

[DBrasnett]

These exercises are good. Prone plank is especially good

http://www.coachr.org/core_stabilisation_training_for.htm

Do you have a bike? biking is a good non impact sport that builds leg strength.

 

[Walrus]

Thanks guys - unfortunately don't have a bike, live a a terrace in London so nowhere to store it, also the buses scare me too much, I think the cyclists near me have a death with!

Might look into the swimming idea - maybe mix up the activities a bit.

 

[lauraanddolly]

I was thinking the same thing the other day, I want to get my horse fitter but can barely cope in a 40 min school session myself! So I did a goggle search and came up with this : http://www.coolrunning.com/
I found the links in the also check out bit on the right hand side of that page the most helpful!

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

I cycle to the yard and home - has done me wonders - tkes me 20 mins on the way there - mostly down hill and home is a harrowing 30 mins as a gentle but hard uphill. I have noticed it used to take me 40 mins and used to do stages in gear 2 !!!! now I am gear 4 all the way home !!!!

I bike there - ride for at least 1 hours hack - bike home - 3 days a week

 

[kerilli]

rowing's the best thing i've found for core strength and leg strength. look in the local paper, loads of people buy good ones and then sell them when they can't be bothered to use them! (that's how i got mine.)