Just like any other sport, just going to practice works fine but may not be the most efficient way to get in the best competitive shape. Take swimming, for example: I was a competitive swimmer for 12 years with the recreational team in my neighborhood (JRAC). Sure, we had swim practice twice per day during the week, but we also had 'land training'- squats, sit-ups, push-ups, star jumps, suicides, whatever. Why? Because being 'fit' is the best way to get better at your sport- and riding is no exception.
If you are a causal riding student (as I was most of my life), you are probably only riding about 1-2 times per week. Although any exercise is better than none, you don't really get a whole lot accomplished riding once a week. So what are some ways to strengthen when you can't ride?
Horse Channel has a decent article.
If you don't mind working out at home, I recommended checking out Rider Fitness: Body and Brain. It's a little goofy, but gives some good explanations of what muscles you should be working and how they will improve your riding.
Also check out Pilates for Riders -I have never done Pilates before, but this seems to be the new 'thing' to do according to the ladies at my barn.
For those of you who are also in my area, the TVDCTA has a Pilates instructor who is also a horseback rider- who better to learn from than someone putting these exercises into practice?
I for one can attest to how difficult it can be to get motivated to work out, but my riding is getting noticeably better as I get more fit- I have been doing some exercises recommended by a friend (thanks Erin!), running (new to running? check out the "Couch-to-5k" app on your phone), and am trying to get myself back into swimming.
Debi is a trail marathoner and she seems to have a few students who run with her to stay fit- I saw on Facebook that "a 12 mile jog" was no biggie for them...I joked that "if you add a dot in the middle, I would go..." I do have to say that those girls are better riders than I. Is it the running? or are they just riding more? There is no way to tell, but I sure hope to drag my ass to a 5k by the end of August to get started! Maybe I will find out :)
