'core' Exercises

[Julie.M]

Has anyone got any suggestions for good exercises to strengthen core muscles (stomach AND back!) either on or off a horse??  

Think my middle is a bit weak and wobbly and am collapsing a little to the left (since I realised have been walking round slightly to the right all day to try and counteract it-got me some funny looks in the supermarket!   ), so am looking for more specific exercises to try and tone it all up a bit.

Thanks.

[abi king]

TRy some pilates if you haven't already - I've found it fantastic. i recommend finding a good teacher at least to learn the basics - either small group or private sessions. Then there are lots of dvds to try, but it is very specific and easy to do it wrong so I think it's best to learn the basics from a teacher.

[TashaKat]

I agree, Pilates is the business  I also agree that you need to have tuition in as small a group as possible as the movements can be so subtle that it's easy to get them wrong.  I found my first lesson to be really easy ... until the next day when I found muscles that I didn't know existed!  I was pretty fit then too, was dancing 6 hours a day for a fortnight.

The other 'exercise' that is great for pretty much every part of your body is pole dancing.  It's especially good for tums, bums, arms and legs

[Jackie]

I agree with the others. Yoga and Pilates are probably the best exercises for core stability. I have a dvd - Pilates using a gymball which is very good.

I picked up my free copy of Equi-Ads from the local tack shop and there was a feature inside on core stability by Paula Jenkins. The exercises involve using a gymball and I thought I would have a go. The first exercise is being able to kneel on all fours balancing on the gymball. I couldn't believe how my stomach muscles hurt the next day. Then once you have mastered this you raise alternate legs and then you move on to extending the opposite arm and leg simultaneously. I thought it was nigh on impossible when I first had a go but I can manage it now. My riding instructor has noticed a huge difference in my posture and balance.

If you would like a copy of the articles I can send them to you.

[Liza]

Uuummm what size gymball?  I'm tall but there's no way I can get my hands and knees on the floor while balancing on mine :blink:  

[demevrouw]

Good lord, Jackie, kneel on all fours balancing on a gymball     ???
How on earth :blink: ???

Seriously, I would be very interested in a copy of your articles!
Could you, would you be able to send them per e-mail?
I'm in Holland, so sending a real (paper) copy would involve some costs, I'm afraid...

PM me if necessary.

Thanks,

Claudia

 

[Jackie]

Liza - Sorry I didn't explain properly. I meant kneeling on all fours on the gymball not on the floor. My gymball is 65cm by the way.


Claudia - how on earth indeed. The all fours bit isn't the hard bit, it's when you start having to lift your leg off the ball that it gets a bit wobbly, just make sure there's nothing in the way. When I wobbled right over the top of the ball I hit my head on the telly. The exercises are fantastic for abdominal tone though - my husband thinks I am getting a six-pack. If you PM me with your email I'll get my friend to scan the articles and email them to you.


 

[Susie xx]

Hi there, if you are an Amazon addict you might look for this book
http://www.tackinthebox.com/Products/Books/BK1102.htm
Riding from the inside out by Lisa Chapman.
I have recently bought a copy to maintain my riding ability whilst waiting for my youngster to grow into a riding horse. Has an audio CD with the exercises on for when you are not reading.
Susie xx

[Julie.M]

Me too, me too!  Could you email me a copy if I PM you my email address, sounds really helpful!

To claudia,  :lol:  :lol:  :lol: you had me in stitches imagining trying to balance over a ball with knees and hands on the floor!  Mainly coz I'd thought it myself then dismissed it as IMPOSSIBLE - glad I'm not the only one who's a bit dappy!

Looked the book up too, looks helpful, particularly intrigued by the line in the blurb "a simple tool called a “bottom clencher” to aid in performing some of the movements with precision"     Just dying to know what that's about....

Thanks all!
 

[Sisterinstitches]

Julie M. I have the above mentioned book, and the "Clencher" has been a source of great hilarity around our house, let me tell you!!! My 13 year old was the first one to open the book and have a look and you should have seen the look on his face when he came across it!
 Good book though, just need more self discipline, where to buy it?