Rider fitness is a murky topic. So much of our time and effort as equestrians goes into making sure our horses are cared for, that they are feeling well and are fit for the job. And then there’s us… who survive on Advil and whatever little bit of sustenance we can find to get us through the day. It’s a long running joke that’s based on some truth… isn’t it?
Nutrition is just one aspect of this, fitness and exercise is another. Horseback riding is challenging and in order to be the best we can for our horses, we could and should be fit for the job. But finding a fitness plan that fits into a horse-crazy lifestyle isn’t always easy. It can be confusing, too – there are so many cult-like workout programs out there … CrossFit, pilates, Peloton, OrangeTheory…. they’re cool and have a sense of community… but who has time for that when you already have a horse community?
The fact is, riding is a physical activity and it requires strength building, something that cannot be achieved solely from in the saddle. Just like athletes from any other major sport, it requires some cross-training and time in the gym. Luckily Laura Crump Anderson, a certified personal trainer, has developed a guideline for riders in her new book, “Ultimate Exercise Routines For Riders,” now available from Horse & Rider Books.
In the book, Laura features the workout routines of eight equestrian women, all at the top of their game. Laura blends these routines with her own to develop a program any busy rider can fit into their life schedule. It’s focused on riding, strength training, stretching and rest and recovery. The cardio exercises are low impact, but made around the idea of building up good cardiovascular function and breathing. All of these techniques are boiled down into how they can improve your riding (breathing is a good example) and it’s easily digestible among the pages. Laura answers the questions we all want to know, like – just how long should my workouts be? And what’s more important, intensity or duration? These are all things I’ve tried to guess and troubleshoot on my own without seeing great results – go figure.
The exercises in the workout routines have helpful visual guides and easy-to-understand instructions. There’s even a section for workout routines for pregnant riders. There’s enough here for any rider to find comfort and a challenge in an exercise routine they can tailor to their own needs.
Find a copy for yourself here.