Improving riding fitness - alternative to running?

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Jingleballs

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I'm looking for way to improve my riding fitness by doing other non riding excercise.

In January I started running - I loved it and could feel the difference in my fitness very quickly but my right knee just can't take it.

My knee has caused minor problems in the past but nothing like this - I've seen a therapist who suggested it may be caused by a floating or misaligned knee cap as although it doesn't hurt when I run it feels strange and sore afterwards - almost as if my knee cap has slipped slightly.

Still in the process of investigating the issue and have a physio appointment for next weekend but it's been 3 weeks now since I last went for a jog and my knee is still not 100% so I suspect no more running for me :(

I'm looking for suggestions of alternative exercises - the main goal is to improve my breathing and also the strength in my legs - I felt that running really helped this.

Some people have suggested cycling or swimming but I can't see how the would be as effective?

What does everyone else do?
 
Spinning classes will improve your leg strength. If you don't go to a gym, you can do your own "spinning"; just beast yourself with intervals of two mins standing, two mins full pelt, two mins slow but seriously high resistance (up hill and in high gear). Swimming is very cardio and helps to control your breathing. "Gym bunny" exercises like squats, star jumps, jumping over a step (done fast), will help. Set yourself circuits, where you do each thing for two mins.
 
blood_magik said:
what about using a cross trainer? You can whack the level right up and it doesn't put a lot of force on the joints
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Thanks - something to consider!

One of the reasons I started running was because it's free and I have going to the gym lol.

Not sure whether doing a weekly aerobic class would help? There is a zumba class nearby me so that might be an option!
 
Babybear said:
Thanks - something to consider!

One of the reasons I started running was because it's free and I have going to the gym lol.

Not sure whether doing a weekly aerobic class would help? There is a zumba class nearby me so that might be an option!
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My personal trainer is evil reincarnated :cool:

I hate running so much so he has found several other ways to kill me:
- cycling
- rowing
- x-training
- hill-walking (inclines gets whacked up to 15% :( )
- stair-master

Have you tried walking up stairs carrying an extra 15kg? it's horrible :o

We do weights as well as lots of squats, lunges, burpees and mountain-climbers
 
For what it's worth I never notice a difference in my fitness between winter (when I only ride) and summer (when I swim a hell of a lot, up to 3 hrs x 3 times a week) :( However I do find swimming helps strengthen my core (I think...I definitely notice I 'sit' better!)
 
Babybear said:
Thanks - something to consider!

One of the reasons I started running was because it's free and I have going to the gym lol.

Not sure whether doing a weekly aerobic class would help? There is a zumba class nearby me so that might be an option!
Click to expand...

I do zumba and yes I think its really good for both core strength and also cardio - actually I'd say better than running.

Running is obviously great aerobically, but with zumba (or other aerobics classes) you are constantly varying the tempo which keeps your body guessing, and you're also using your whole body rather than just your legs.

I do it several times a week on the Wii, I think you can get dvds to do at home as well which saves a lot in the long run.
 
I have started running alot and my knees are feeling it.

I also go spinning 2 or 3 times a week depending on work.

I do 3000m rowing as fast as possible on a middle resistance which is really good work, the cross trainer is really good to build leg strength but not put pressure on knees.

I want to start swimming but I'm not brave enough haha
 
cycling if your knee can take it, out of the saddle for as long as you can. (at 1 of the Event Team GB training camps years ago they famously got sent out on bike rides, with the saddles having been removed!)
my surgeon specifically ordered me not to do any running for fitness (ever) on my rebuilt knee...
i find that lots and lots of walking is as good as anything, and fine on the joints.
cross trainer's a good idea too, you can crouch more to work the quads harder.
 
i took up running last yr but had to give up before even got up to 5k as my knees started crunching when i bent them so figured that wasn't a good sign! Wondering what to try this yr as need to improve cardiovascular fitness for eventing. Can thoroughly recommend interval training your horse to improve leg strength - super short stirrups, wt out of the saddle and within minutes you can feel your thighs start to burn!
 
For those of you that say you have tried running and are having issues with your knees....are you running in the correct type of shoes for your running style?

Even if you are only running short distances you should have your gait analysed, usually done in a specialist running shop and free, then you can be advised on whether you tend to supinate, pronate or run with a neutral action and then pick the right type of shoe. Running in the wrong one will almost certainly guarantee you will have issues with either the ankles, knees or hips. It's the same effect as a horse having incorrect foot balance....eventually something further up the leg will probably pay the price!!

Also running off road is much better if you can do it...I use bridle paths, foot paths etc and keep my road miles to as few as possible. It reduces concussion and is great for strengthening tendons and ligaments. If you run off road all the time then the type of shoes you run in becomes a little less important as on uneven ground you foot is constantly landing at different angles anyway.

Running is great cardio exercise and as already mentioned is free...once you've invested in some GOOD trainers of course!!
 
had my trainers fitted in a running shop - they watched me on the treadmill. i have to have good arch support. still got knackered knees but i was mostly running on roads. Going to try again but stick to off road.
 
A lot of people I know swear by pilates for improving core strength and balance.

Years ago (c.1998) I was in Australia, and there was a magazine similar to Your Horse. A very young Edwina Alexander was doing a rider fitness series, which was brilliant. I'd love to get hold of that article again, but can't remember the name of the magazine.
 
Cross trainer. get yourself on ebay, nearest first or preloved, adtrader etc. I've had 2 and neither were more than a tenner.
Really helps as my cardio fitness is woeful.
 
Cycling is excellent, you can make it tougher by increasing the speed or distance or doing hill climbs. Alternatively if you can't take running try power walking. You will need suitable trainers but it can get you fit, many decent power walkers go faster than joggers. Monitor your speed, if you aren't exceeding 4mph you aren't power walking. You need to get your arms pumping too. Increase the difficulty by carrying a rucksack and/or dumbells and adding hills. I did the moonwalk and was very impressed by the serious powerwalkers who were posting times for the full marathon that many runners would be happy with.
 
If you cannot swim, then walking in the shallow end of the pool is good exercise too. Hard work and the buoyancy the water provides your body takes the strain off your knee whilst providing resistance a you walk along.

I made a mess of my knee in a bicycling accident back in the late 80s and it hasn't been normal since. I cannot allow myself to get heavy because that just puts more strain on my knee. If you Google "low impact exercise", you will get lots of good ideas.
 
I do Zumba twice a week plus some running and long walks. If you can find a Zumba-fit class where you use weights as well these are amazing for fitness. Its more aerobics based than dance. Lots of fast canter work sees to help my fitness too.
 
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