The Rider's Fitness Program [Paperback]

Dianna Robin Dennis (Author), Johnny J. McCully (Author), Paul M. Juris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2004

Here is the perfect book for beginning riders who are using muscles they never knew they had before, advanced riders who want to stay in top form (especially as they get older), and weather-bound riders who can't get out during the winter but want to be fit when spring arrives.

The Rider's Fitness Program details a fun and effective six-week program that strengthens the muscles riders use while improving overall balance, flexibility, and coordination. The book features more than 85 exercises designed to help new riders get over the aches and pains of getting started and experienced riders hone their skills and technique and prevent injuries. The ultimate goal, of course, is to achieve "oneness" with the horse.

The routines are flexible, so individuals can customize the workout they need for jumping, dressage, reining, endurance, polo, or rodeo. The exercises are accompanied by step-by-step photographs that demonstrate how to perform each action properly (with an emphasis on safety). The exercises are progressive, from basic to advanced, and suitable for riders at all fitness levels.

The authors also include fundamental information on diet, general health and safety, and what clothing and equipment are necessary.

The Rider's Fitness Program is a comprehensive handbook for riders of all experience levels, with workout routines for every type of riding discipline.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a comprehensive assortment of exercises to motivate any rider to get fit." 

-Chronicle of the Horse

From the Back Cover

You're just six weeks away from world-class strength, balance, and flexibility!

Being strong and fit is the key to achieving the ultimate goal of oneness with your horse. Now, with The Rider's Fitness Program, you can practice skills at home or in the gym that will bring you closer to this goal when you're in the saddle.

This unique, six-week workout routine is designed specifically for equestrians. Each exercise will help you build the strength, endurance, and skills that will enhance your riding experience.

Novice and weekend riders will appreciate the exercises designed to reduce aches and pains and prevent injuries. Returning riders will find that these workouts refresh their muscles' memory until they are up to speed again. And experts will discover new ways to hone their skills off the horse.

No matter where you stand on the riding spectrum, The Rider's Fitness Program will help you get in shape—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (November 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580175422
• ISBN-13: 978-1580175425
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #118,776 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Horses > Riding
  • #77 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Horses > Equestrian

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, December 7, 2004

By 

Rider - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rider's Fitness Program (Paperback)

As a week-end rider, I eagerly anticipated the release of this book because I wanted to target my riding muscles to help me improve.

The first disappointment came when I realized I needed to belong to a gym. They do give you home alternatives for some, not all, of the exercises but many are not workable, requiring anchor points at specific heights for the resistance band alternatives. I supposed I could tap a bunch of screw eyes into one wall and the ceiling, but I bet my landlord wouldn't be too happy!

There was also a pretty complete set of equipment you were expected to own; benches, free weights, weight bars, ankle and wrist weights, exercise balls, medicine balls, resistance bands, tilt boards, rollers, etc. The helpful web link to sources of the equipment took me straight to one of the author's equipment sales web page. I had about half the equipment needed and am being resourceful for the things I don't have. Free weights, exercise balls, medicine balls, resistance bands and tilt boards are all going to be needed.

The second disappointment was most of the exercises were the same old same old. Some of them were packaged a bit differently and toward the end of the six week series, the exercises look more interesting, combining strength, balance and posture in one exercise. (I have read the whole book and have completed week one)
At first, I thought the layout of the book was a bit awkward, but as I began to use it, it bacame clear the variations in routine (One of the things I really like about the book) makes the layout necessary. There is a warm-up/stretch section without a lot of instruction, so I just used what I thought was appropriate for that days workout.
A good bit of information is included in the Introduction so read it carefully.

I was hoping for something a bit more revolutionary, but if you are lifting weights and doing a core based workout such as Pilates, you won't find anything different in this book.
I am planning on doing the whole six week series as directed, so if something exciting occurs down the road, I'll come back and amend my review.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Part of an Entire Fitness Program for Riders, February 19, 2005

By 

Addicted to Riding (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rider's Fitness Program (Paperback)

As an avid huntseat competitor, I try to stay in shape and maintain a level of overall fitness. However, I'm not very good at coming up with my own exercises to do at home or at the gym. Nor do I practice Pilates or Yoga. I just want some exercises to help me maintain my riding strength and stamina as I reach the "mature" riders division. Thankfully, this book does just that. I do belong to a gym, so I was able to make use of those suggestions. For someone like myself who's motivated but just needs some guidance for appropriate exercises to do out of the saddle, I found Ms. Dennis' book very worthwhile.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Fitness Tool for all Riders, January 17, 2005

By 

kamconsults "horse lover" (Chester County, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rider's Fitness Program (Paperback)

I am a very competitive weekend rider who knew that I needed to do something to improve my fitness level. I bought this book with the hopes of getting into a routine that was flexible, convenient and easy to understand and this book offers this and much more.

The information in the book provided me with an understanding of the areas of fitness I really needed to improve, such as balance and flexibility. I found the workout routines were very easy to follow and even though I don't have all of the equipment shown, I have been able to creatively improvise and get the benefits talked about in each section. The descriptions of the exercises along with the accompanying photo provide a great reference for following along. The pull out fitness guide provides an excellent way to track my routine. Even though the exercises are some I have been doing, the combination and diverse pattern keep it interesting and fresh. I am half way through the six week program and have been achieving the results I have been looking for.