Rider Fitness-what do you do?

[ABE]

How do you guys all keep as fit as your horse or more?? I really want to improve my own fitness but cant think of much to do other than jog (i get shin splint) or joining a gym?

 

[carthorse]

Swim , skip?

 

[posie_honey]

fast hill walking with the dogs - thats what i do

 

[Sarah_Star]

I swim, go cyling and do pilates.

 

[Baggybreeches]

I do a bit of running, swim when I can and also started skipping recently. I also do a fair bit of fast work on 2 horses so that helps.

 

[Chloe_GHE]

I do as much as poss try to run at least twice a week for no less than 4miles each time, but light and weather affect that. Do the odd bit of swimming and cycling, but mainly just do that thing where you think of the most active way you can do something so eg if I'm opening a letter to read I might lean back against the wall to read it so I make sure I stand up, in the morning blow drying my hair I used to sit down to do it now I stand just little corrections like that that I hope will add up to better posture and core stability too! am I kidding myself???

 

[MegaBeast]

I play 3hrs of squash a week and run when I can.

I also gallop team chase horses which requires long periods of fast work in very short stirrups which means I now have legs like iron and a lower leg that stays in place regardless of what the horse does.

I find this coupled with riding daily and lots of [****] shovelling keeps me fit

 

[ABE]

Think i might try some swimming and skipping sounds do-able too :0 I just dont want to hinder my horse xc so thought i should start fitenning up now!

 

[bogpony]

Asda exercise bike - half price to £35 at the moment....work magic - just sit in front of the tv and peddle away!
Far better value than a gym membership!

 

[ABE]

Sounds good to me!! Altho my house maybe too small, do they take up lots of room?

 

[hedgehog1]

i do yoga - its really weird - the more horses i have ridden in a day the more 'squiffy' my balance is! so i try and do that as i sometimes have trouble sitting unevenly and since ive started it ive definatley felt a difference. plus mucking out has made my back muscles uneven.
if im feeling really keen i skip as it doesnt take long til im tired and i can watch tv!
but usually after riding all day i cant be bothered, especially in winter, in summer i get more inspired!

 

[Nosey]

Good marchy walks are useful - engage your tum muscles! Pilates excellent for core strength too - evens you up and works on flexibility. A good and cheap bit of home fitness kit is a gym ball. You can do so many exercises on them inc. weights and things. Anything you do you get the added benefit of core work cos you have to keep working just to stay put. I also do spin classes...cos they are short and sharp and saddo that I am I often feel like I am galloping a horse XC when we sprint on the bikes with our bums out of the saddle!!

 

[happihorse]

Brisk walking with the dogs three or four times a week for between 2 and 6 miles.

I would like to do Pilates to but just need to get myself more organised!