Need help with riding fitness please

Gusbear

Gusbear

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After having my third lesson today on my boy (the last time I had lessons was over 13 years ago) my instructor and I both realized (quite painfully for me I might add) that I've obviously lost my core strength and also all the muscle tone on my inner thighs (mind you I had 5 1/2 years out of the saddle until I got my boy a year ago). He has had me doing lots of stretches and exercises at walk and trot to lengthen my leg and get my position right and so far I've gone down two holes on my stirrups and feel as though I can probably go down at least one to two more soon. Unfortunately my 'old' body feels as though I've been in a torture chamber as my poor legs, back and my tummy hurt to the point I feel like I've been run over by a bus.
The OH wants me to join him in a Pilates class but my instructor warned me that it could potentially develop the wrong leg muscles (I.e. outside rather than the inside). I'm now not sure what I can do to I prove my riding fitness, suppleness and strength.
Any ideas anyone?
 
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ride as much as possible.

not sure how practical this is for you but it works for me. Certainly riding and leading cantering polo ponies round a field for 16minute stretches interval training for 80minutes certainly works for me and keeps me riding fit!

Not sure what other work outs to suggest as i dont do any. Maybe someone else can help.

do you mind me asking how old you are? is it just lack of match pracitice. ie; riding, that is the problem or an old injury making you feel stiff?
 
Pilates is supposed to be good for your abdominal muscles - not sure about the legs though so can't comment on what your instructor said about developing the wrong muscles. You could also try swimming as that builds up your fitness very quickly! :)
 
In my case having lessons on the laziest horse in Christendom worked really well :o it was a major relief when i got moved onto a more willing mount :)

You will build up your fitness through riding so ride as often as possible. I'm sure I've seen a series of exercises using a gym ball which are also geared to improve posture. Meanwhile any exercise you do will help so I wouldn't worry too much about building the wrong muscles just yet. If you do stretches warm up beforehand otherwise you risk pulling muscles and causing even more stiffness.
 
Find a Pilates instructor who knows about riding, alternatively get hold of the book "Pilates for Equestrians" by Liz Randall. Just bought it myself, easy to follow diagrams & exercises.
 
Pilates will help your riding no end, abs, legs, back. Unless you are training for some weirdly specific sport (can't think what - pommel horse?), I don't see how strengthening and stretching any muscle could have a negative impact on your riding or just daily life. It does work. Transformed my back and posture. So I am 100% disagreeing with your instructor!
 
It might be worth looking at equipilates classes or books on Pilates specifically for the rider. I found sitting on a large exercise ball whilst watching tv or working from home helped develop my stomach muscles when I was unable to exercise properly but that doesn't really help with cardio fitness.
I have lung problems so find it really hard to build fitness as I'm often unable to ride or exercise at all for weeks at a time so I have to build my fitness slowly as I do with my horses.
 
Oh I am the same! Ride as much as you have time for, concentrating on what you have been told on your lessons (its quite an effort on a hack I know but I quite enjoy it!) Swimming is great for core muscles and general fitness so I am doing that too. Pilates is great, I shouldn't think it will do any harm even if it doesn't target the areas you want. Trotting is quite good fitness work for horse and rider I find, I did a lot more than usual yesterday and when we attempted a canter with consequent bucks I felt much more sturdy in my core to stay balanced... Now I ache!
 
I'm surprised your instructor thinks you should be building inside thigh muscle .... I wouldn't worry about Pilates building the wrong muscles. It's wonderful excersise as it's not concussive and works gently, muscles are built from the inside out and there's a lot of focus on core strength.
 
I also disagree with your instructor, pilates is wonderful for developing core strength and also releasing tight muscles, particularly quads and hamstrings. Done properly, it is hard work and will give your heart rate a good boost but there are also fitness pilates classes that combine traditional pilates with some faster work. I've had classes with Lisa Randle and as most of the group were riders she focused on equi-pilates exercises but having had several different instructors, they were all beneficial to the rider.
 
Another vote for Pilates! If you can't find a specific 'riders' instructor, a general instructor will know what to do with you anyway! My inner thigh muscles could have cracked walnuts (at my best! ;) ) It was so good for my general flexibility/strength etc - I need to start going again!!
 
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