What is your fitness routine?

coloradocowgirl · Well Schooled

What is your fitness routine?

justice · Grand Prix

I walk. A lot. When I can't get outside, I have a treadmaster that is pretty nice. I am limited as to the number of horses I can comfortably ride during the course of a day but if I can keep the exercise low impact and steady on, I do ok : )

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

I play a few very high energy, fast paced sports that take a huge toll on ones body (Hurling: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurling and Shinty: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinty), so I have to keep in shape anyway. I don't ride a lot right now because I live in the city and blah blah blah, but I'll give you some of my tips that keep me in tip top condition for my sports.

I run... a lot. Only a mile or two every day, but I run just about every day. Occasionally I give myself a week or so off, and then get back in it. I can't really run longer than a 5k because of a pretty bad knee, so I find that working up to 3 miles and then dropping back down to 0, then back up, really gets me focused. I -know- I can run 3 miles if I try, so whenever my mind kicks in at 1 mile and says "you can't do this, stop!", I can say "I know I can! I'm not stopping!" :) Just a fun game I like to play that keeps my cardio up and my legs stretched out.

I do a lot of core exercises. Some of my favourites are sit-ups, but they can really take a toll on your back. I've got a pretty bad back, so I try to avoid them when I can. Thus I implemented other core exercises. Russian twists are great. Sit either with your legs straight out in front of you, or (fitness permitting) off the ground a bit. Take a weighted, rounded-ish object (I once used a 5lb box of pancake mix...), and bring it from side to side. Touch the ground with it on the right, then bring it to the left; touch on the left, bring it back. Rinse and repeat. You can come up with several variations.

Calf exercises are also great. Super easy one: Stand on the balls of your feet on the edge of a step or something similar. I use the edge of my bathtub because I live in an apartment. Make sure you have something steady to grab onto. Slowly lift yourself up on your tippy toes over the course of 1 second, then back down over 1 second. Do maybe 10. Do not overdo it because you won't be able to walk the next day. :)

Finally, arm strength exercises. I've got a bad shoulder, so I do wall push-ups, as well as wall tricep-presses. Same idea as regular push-ups or tricep-presses, just leaning against a wall. Takes a lot of strain off your back and shoulders while still conditioning the muscles.

These along with a lot of stretching and yoga help keep me fit and balanced. :) Hope that wasn't too lengthy...

coloradocowgirl · Well Schooled

Not too lengthy at all Ash, thanks for the ideas, I'm going to try them! It's just a matter of working them into my schedule, ha ha.

Justice- I love to walk, so relaxing and just as good calorie burning wise as running. I wish I had a tredmill, that would make life so much easier. :)

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

Also wanted to note that all of these except probably the calf lifts and obviously running can be done rather quietly in the privacy of your own bedroom, in case working out in the living room in front of the whole family is not your kind of thing, or other accommodations make it easier for you to be in your room.

Another note is that for added weight, or for your Russian twists/etc, you can take an old milk jug or the like and fill it with water. This is especially great exercise for lugging water buckets up and down the drive ;) You can fill one or two with as much water as you're comfortable with, then practice deep standing lunges, or walking lunges if you have room. This strengthens the back as well as hips and quads with a bit of emphasis on the calves, and a lot of emphasis on balance and coordination.

:)

coloradocowgirl · Well Schooled

Cool! I know we can all use help with carrying those stinkin buckets, lol.

Barbara F · Grand Prix

I worked with a trainer a few years ago and he really got me in shape and gave me a good foundation and understanding about strength, endurance, what works and what doesn't. I still use his advice, although I don't go through the fitness routine in the same way because i get bored easily.

For me, the best way to get fit is to do something that requires me to work my body, but that isn't just exercising.

In that regard, I train in karate several hours a week through a school (dojo) and at home. That way, I'm working on a sport/discipline and I'm staying fit at the same time.

Jackie Cochran · Advanced

Since I have MS I have no energy for a fitness routine!

Walking is my major exercise, luckily I have a long driveway--600 ft that goes up and downhill. Generally 3 to 5 times a week I walk to the mailbox. I've finally gotten so I can walk one way without stopping. I do stop a minute or two at the mailbox. I walk with two canes so my arms are also getting some exercise. This makes me VERY tired.

Then I ride, 30-45 minutes at a time, 1 to 3 times a week. I tend to rasp down toes and do the hoof knife on the sole some once or twice a week. I am not strong enough to do more trimming work, frustrating! Sometimes I have to groom. This is even more tiring.

That is my fitness routine! I end up working my arms, legs and back, and I am slowly building up my wind.

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

That does sound tiring, Jackie! Thank you for sharing that; I think a lot of us take our "God-given" fitness for granted sometimes. :)

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Rasping toes and doing work on the sole? Who knew you were so versatile?! That's stuff I would love to learn to do!! I am a good groomer though. I find grooming to be beyond relaxing. Talk about being in the moment!

coloradocowgirl · Well Schooled

I second that, Ash! I bet you get more exercise then a lot of people, Jackie.

justice · Grand Prix

Hmm...Fitness programmes...Well,

I want to ride so I get to the barn, and set up to get my horse. This includes toting a ton of ...stuff.. : ) to my grooming box. That can take care of my first freeweight workout. Then, I go get my horse. With only one or two evasive maneuvres in a forty acre field, we both go back to the barn. From the farthest point, of course. Aerobics, check. Grooming with curry, dandy, soft brush and towel, hoofpick, fork, detangle and boot. Chisel and hammer for those extra muddy days..Calisthenics, check. More aerobics, check. Tacking up covers more freeweight activity, "specially for the Western folks. So let's ride! Four horses per day, or more : )

Rinse and repeat in reverse when done, per horse, each horse having his/her own prescribed wardrobe, each at opposite ends of the world, the ring/field/course being on another planet.... And there really ARE folks that think horses offer no exercise. I fail to see the need to mention the many hours of chores, in between. And @ 2x/day minimum: water, hay and grain in bulk are obviously weightless....

Also not worth mentioning the multitude of times these actions are taken with broken toes, fingers, ribs, sprains, strains, bruises and just plain PAIN...

Hail to ALL you horsemen : )

-- Edited by justice on Thursday 28th of April 2011 08:26:49 AM

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

Justice, you forgot to mention the agility section of your workout where you actively practice jumping over dogs and/or barn cats under foot, as well as slyly untangling ones foot from coiled hoses, lead ropes, and strings of bailing twine. I'd say you have a pretty solid workout otherwise ;)

justice · Grand Prix

Oh Ash, THAT is all done while toting your stuff ANYwhere, lol!! Or while the busiest horse is in hand....It's a given : )