Rider Fitness Tip: Stabilization Training

Leah Hinnefield of The Athletic Rider offers this quick tip for improving rider fitness!

Do you suffer from shoulder pain, knee pain, hip pain?

The cause could be lack of core stability. When a rider is lacking a stable and strong core, her prime movers (muscles that generate a movement) have to take over in ways that they were not intended. The extra burden of filling in for the prime movers creates stress that can lead to injury.

What is the best way to protect from this kind of injury?

Be sure to have your rider fitness trainer develop a program that includes three to four weeks of stabilization training before you worry about developing strength. What is stabilization training? Anything that challenges your balance or stability … so doing bicep curls while standing on one leg, bosu exercises or just about anything on a stability ball.  Don’t overlook this fundamental cornerstone of training … your body and your horse will thank you!

Leah Hinnefeld is a lifelong equestrian who spent over a decade studying hoof health and metabolism in horses before turning her attention to rider fitness. Leah is a personal trainer certified by the National Academy of Sports Fitness and offers Virtual Fitness Training for riders and horse lovers. You can learn more about how to get fit to ride at http://theathleticrider.com/. Please contact Leah if you are interested in learning more about the Rider Fitness Boot Camps offered by The Athletic Rider.