The Rider's Fitness Program: 74 Exercises & 18 Workouts Specifically Designed for the Equestrian

I would love to have someone to follow me around a gym and set up the equipment for me, but I have no idea how to do that. Some programs I can do at home except for 2 or 3 that require gym equipment. This is very frustrating to me. How many of the warm ups do I need to do before I start exercising? How many stretches afterward? Why are the warms mixed up with the stretches? Is there a video I can use for each of the programs so I don't have to study the book on every exercise day? I understand the benefit of not doing the same thing every day, to confuse the muscles and keep them guessing, but what about my brain? A gym day? Not a gym day? Why doesn't the book lay flat? Let me know when you come up with a new, improved version of this book. I put the exercises into a spread sheet, for each week, and where I would be doing the exercises. There were a few days that I needed to drop in to the local recreation center for only $4 each time. At age 73, I can do most of the exercises without modification. I will add resistance as I get stronger. My trainer noticed big improvements in my posture every week, and I am feeling more confident. My horse is moving better too. It was worth the effort to arrange the book so that I could manage it all without wasting time between exercises.

I really like this book! i have just flipped through it since it arrived today and look forward to reading and doing the exercises in this book. i would suggest that you had a gym membership because i find the equitment they say a basic gym should have, wouldn't be very pratical to have in an every day household. i also like this book because it covers all areas of riding. so barrel racers, pleasure riders, hunter jumpers, dressage, trail riders, etc. there are 74 exercises that work your whole body and it tells you why its important. theres also liek the title suggets a weekly log that tells you what areas to work kinda. :) every rider should own this book!

What I like: This is a really cool book with some well-designed workouts for the equine enthusiast. The authors correlate the exercises with how they will benefit you as a rider, which makes it more meaningful then just randomly exercising. The authors also take great care to provide the reader/rider with a progressively challenging routine that will address all of the muscle groups in a certain way to provide the best overall strengthening routine. What I don't like: This would be a totally fabulous book for all equestrians to fit-up for the riding season, except that many of these exercises require gym equipment or a gym membership. I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on gym equipment. Nor do I want to spend hundreds of dollars for a gym membership. If I had a gym membership and access to a personal trainer, I wouldn't need this book! That being said, the book is still useful in that it can help you plan a routine that will build core and peripheral strength, even if you skip or adjust the exercises that call for the gym equipment. Some is better than none, after all, right? Good luck!

One of the best books I’ve come across for riding specific exercises.

Love that it showed how to do each exercise and a modification. Also explained why each exercise was good. I did spend a morning putting tabs on each exercise to make finding them easier as I did my workouts.

Working at a university, I have free access to a gym with equipment and this book is perfect. I recently moved and don't get to ride as much as I'd like so in order to stay fit and riding ready I decided to give this book a try. I am through the first week and can say it definitely works your muscles! I am happy so far with the program and enjoy having various daily routines to go through which change each day and therefore aren't boring! The book is well written and easy to understand and perfect for someone who doesn't necessarily understand all the gym equipment or have a whole lot of knowledge about working out. I must note that gym equipment is pretty much necessary for the exercises - some things can't be replaced with free weights and bands. I'm excited to see how the fitness plan translates into my riding once I finish the program!

I found this book had lots of exercises I could happily carry out but not having the gym equipment and not having a gym close by I had to chose what was practical for me to do. By purchasing some of the basic equipment I increased the range of exercises that I could do. The exercises I could carry out were very useful for my physical development - strength, balance and flexibility - and I'm older than most beginner riders having only started riding at age 65! I'm getting more fit & I'm sure it will be of value in my old age! The exercises would be good even if I wasn't riding. I liked the way the exercises were related to the needs of the horse rider.

I absolutely love this book. I have a few different books on fitness in general, but this is the only one that has the routines set up for you. I have only managed a workout once a week, although they recommend three times a week, yet I can still feel the difference in my body. One of the things I really like about this book is it tells you what each exercise is supposed to do... such as help improve your balance in the saddle, or increase your muscle strength for posting or jumping. I know a few reviewers have complained about having to have a gym membership, but this isn't a problem for me, as I have a gym close by. There are alternate "at home" versions of some of the exercises, which requires the purchase of some equipment, but again, I don't see that as a problem. If you are serious about riding, a little bit of expense on the side is worth it, IMO, if it makes you a better rider. I am a beginning adult rider, and need all the physical conditioning I can get. This book is perfect for helping me to achieve this.

Excellent exercise plans

This book is great to get you started on a fitness routine that will help with your riding. I went through the program twice and have kept up the gym routine ever since. It's not going to solve all of your problems but it will help. I am an eventer and found it very beneficial and made me more aware of where my weaknesses lie.

Me llegó en muy buen estado. Si necesitas muchas cosas de gimnasio pero esta muy completo para todo tipo de disciplina ecuestre.

Very nice book for someone who wants to start exercising and loves horses

Great tips