caileag
Well-Known Member
There's lots of Pilates for Equestrians type videos on YouTube where they use a gym ball. I did some of these when I fractured my foot and didn't feel like getting up and down off the carpet ?
Mature riders and fitness levels
- Thread starter Highmileagecob
- Start date
Highmileagecob
Well-Known Member
Huge thank you to everyone who has posted, there are some brilliant suggestions and I will have a look at sites mentioned.! It's nice to know I'm not the only one who is aware of fitness levels dropping, although I must admit, some of the routines do seem like hard work! Still, no pain no gain!
Mrs Jingle
Well-Known Member
The physio just added them in to my exercise schedule last visit, they do seem to be helping I have to say. Going again later today so hopefully she will see an improvement in my mobility and it isn't my wishful thinking.
TheOldTrout
Completely Unknown Member
Tai chi. I used to do this until my work rota changed so I couldn't go to classes. It's done on your feet, lots of gentle flowing movements, very good for balance.
Gloi
Too little time, too much to read.
I like aquafit and hope to go back to it once I dare face all the bugs that circulate there. The only problem with that is the chemicals in the water sometimes set my asthma off.
Highmileagecob
Well-Known Member
This is something that appeals,, but my core strength is so bad I can't even balance on one leg!
thefarsideofthefield
Well-Known Member
Tai Chi is excellent for core and balance and you are always slowly moving your weight towards the next position ie forwards/backwards/sideways , sometimes on the same foot or sometimes from one foot to the other , rather than just balancing on one leg or holding a pose . You just go at your own speed within your own range of movement in a lovely calm gentle rhythmic pattern , but despite the ' slowness ' it's suprising how much ground you cover ! When one of the ladies in our class had her ankle in a cast she sat on a chair and just did all the body and arm movements .
Wobble/balance boards are great for core strength exercises at home , you can do them sitting or standing , you only need to do short sessions and it's hard to use them incorrectly because you can only ' balance ' ( as opposed to wobble ) by using the right ( core ) muscles . My elderly mother has severe balance issues so I got her a wobble cushion which she sits on , on a dining chair , for 5 minutes several times a day .You can get the boards and cushions from Amazon for under a tenner .
I also find ' yomping ' ( really brisk walking ) is excellent for general fitness . You can do it for the whole walk or just for 10-15 minute sessions within a normal walk for as many times as you want . I run , swim , cycle and do weights so am fairly fit but even so , after a good yomp , I can really feel my glutes and calf muscles have had a good work out !
Last edited:
Tarragon
Well-Known Member
"Yomping" is good, and even better if it is up a hill!
During the winter months, when I am not riding as much, I "yomp" up a hill while waiting for the ponies to finish their breakfast. It takes me 20 minutes for the complete circuit, so it isn't for long, but it is a serious climb. It doesn't matter what the weather is, I am always warm and toasty by the time I get back. On better weather days, I stop at the top and do some pilates stretching (luckily on my own on a farm so nobody to see me!) People I know who think they are fit, because they walk a lot, are often surprised how adding a hill into the mix makes them realise they are not as fit as they thought they were!
During the winter months, when I am not riding as much, I "yomp" up a hill while waiting for the ponies to finish their breakfast. It takes me 20 minutes for the complete circuit, so it isn't for long, but it is a serious climb. It doesn't matter what the weather is, I am always warm and toasty by the time I get back. On better weather days, I stop at the top and do some pilates stretching (luckily on my own on a farm so nobody to see me!) People I know who think they are fit, because they walk a lot, are often surprised how adding a hill into the mix makes them realise they are not as fit as they thought they were!