Cross Training Questions

I am an equestrian, and need ways to cross-train to stay fit off-horse. Any suggestions?

I do mainly show jumping and some dressage and eventing. I don't know what to do to be more fit in way that would help my riding.

Public Comments

1. Well do TONS of leg exercises. As you know legs are a huge part of riding, the stronger the better. Ballet often helps make legs stronger. take jogs for stamina and a great thing you can do is just eat healthy. But leg exercises will help a bunch!
2. well just make sure that your in shape by doing cardio work. then i know how much legwork goes into dressage so do squats or something to strengthen your legs. also i know how your abs and back get work so i think that you should do sit ups because those will strengthen not only your abs but your back as well. hope i could help!!
3. well I was in track for a whole season (about 5 months) and it totally got me in shape for riding execpt for posting without any stirrups because I never really worked those muscles.... so try running and weight lifting.
4. If you live in a hilly area, hiking can help. If not, try jogging to build stamina and leg muscles.
5. i know people who do a lot of yoga and pilates to stay in shape for riding. Also doing a lot of squats and sit ups will help
6. Weight-training: You need to train strength in endurance (as opposed to power or speed), so you need to get yourself stronger, but not super strong, just pretty strong for long periods of time. So if or when you lift weights, don't bother setting really high weight goals...keep them lower but do many reps (such as 15-20, even 30). The more reps you do, the more lactic acid you'll build up, the more experience you have in that condition, the more your body learns to adapt & become more efficient. Work on all your muscles cuz riding's demanding (esp jumping), but put extra focus on your quads/thighs, abs, upper & lower back, & shoulders. Try to do exercises that are as close to the actual moves you do in riding as possible...Squats, leg lunges, rowing (as you would in a rowboat), lateral dumbbell raises forward, & situps. Jump rope - Quad strengthening, endurance training, shoulder strengthening, & timing. Stair running - Quads, cardio, & timing. Hopping cones: If you can (at a gym somewhere?), set up cones/platforms/etc to hop around & over, on one & both legs. Create a fun obstacle course. - Strengthens quads, endurance, plyometric training for explosive movements (such as leaping out of your saddle or leaping forward to score a takedown on another wrestler; also great for ski conditioning).
7. usually when i'm not riding, I'm lifeguarding. So at work i have to swim 200 yards once a week but I go ahead and will swim up to 1000 yards, this builds muscle, works out your body all around. I'll do 100 yards of swimming just with my arms to build muscle.