Kickstart your Riding Goals out of the Saddle: How to Build a Sustainable Fitness Plan for Equestrians that will Last All Year! with Jamie Graham of Haybales and Barbells
Kickstart your Riding Goals out of the Saddle: How to Build a Sustainable Fitness Plan for Equestrians that will Last All Year!
“New Year, New Me!” How many times do we hear that every single year, and somehow we forget all about our resolutions by the third week of January.
More often than not, it’s because people set goals that are unattainable, unrealistic or too vague! Instead of diving headfirst and making big extravagant goals for the New Year that we’ll forget all about in a few weeks, let’s talk about how to build a fitness routine that will last throughout the year.
#1 Smart Small, Build Consistency
You wouldn’t take your 2nd level horse straight into the Grand Prix ring, so why would you do that to yourself?
Begin with shorter workouts, less workouts per week, and let consistency be your best friend. Small commitments build habit overtime without overwhelming your already packed schedule!
#2 Make it Functional for Riding
Your workouts should support what you do in the saddle! Here at Haybales and Barbells, we believe that a good fitness program should include equal amounts of cardio, balance, mobility, strength and flexibility training, in fact, that is our unique equestrian fitness training philosophy!
#3 Keep it Fun and Varied
Fitness doesn’t have to feel like a chore (you’ve got enough of those at the barn!). When you think of it as a chore and something that you HAVE to do, you’ll start dreading it and stop finding joy in it. Mix things up to stay motivated and engaged! Switch it up from gym workouts, to home workouts, from classes, to workouts by yourself, anything that helps you stay consistent and anything where you have FUN!
#4 Prioritize Recovery and Stretching
A big mistake that people make when starting a fitness routine is doing too much too soon, which leads to injuries, and being sidelined for a long time which will affect your workout consistency! Give yourself permission to rest, stretch and recover and honestly, recovery days are just as important as workout days!
The Bottom Line: Progress over Perfection
The goal isn’t to transform overnight; it’s to show up, consistently and intentionally for yourself and your horse. A stronger, more balanced you leads to better rides and a stronger partnership with your horse. Remember that slow and steady wins the race!
So this year, skip the resolutions and instead, make smaller attainable goals throughout the year and create a sustainable routine that fits your life, support your riding and keeps your motivated and engaged year round!
You can find Jamie at https://www.haybalesandbarbells.com/