Pilates for riding

[ekitteridge]

Hi can anyone help me?

I have returned to riding after a long break of having children & not riding. My instructor basically said that my core muscles have gone to pot & need to strengthen up as it is affecting my position (I have a tendency to tip forwards & my legs go back & heels go up).

Can anyone recommend an equestrian pilates DVD &/or book that I can use at home to start strengthening up my core in order to help this.

Thankyou
Emma

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I'm a Registered (Level 3) Exercise Professional. I don't personally teach Pilates, but have done some in the past.

May I suggest that as you're new to Pilates that you in the first instance try and find a class/personal coach locally rather than buy a book or DVD and just crack on.

The reason being is that as you've already been advised that your position needs working on it might be that you have either injuries or medical issues, and what happens is that people often buy a book or DVD, start doing the exercises, and then wonder why they get injuries!!!

You really do need a trained professional to show you the correct way to do the exercises, and to take account of your fitness levels, previous injuries, any health issues etc etc. You also need to be shown how to do a correct warm-up and cool-down routine, which is just as important as the exercise itself.

I've seen a lot of exercises suggested in national newspapers, magazines etc., all of which promise a fantastic body shape, slimming etc., but a lot of them don't take into account people's fitness, health, injuries etc. and TBH a lot of them I certainly wouldn't do and would never in a million years recommend anyone else does, so you need to be careful.

Anybody offering health & fitness training should be a member of a professional body such as the Register of Exercise Professionals and you are quite entitled to see their teaching certification which should also include a current first aid qualification and sufficient insurance.

I personally would urge caution re. doing any exercises in a book or DVD; unless you've got a fitness professional can go through them with you and advise against any which might not be good for you.