How to improve strength in the saddle without no stirrups?

[mika0116]

I have! For a few years actually. I find that many chain studios don’t teach “true” barre technique, your mileage may vary.

I’ve taken barre classes upwards of 5x a week in NYC, DC and LA - some at “major chains” and some at more boutique studios.

Fundamentals of barre if done correctly include ~60% external rotation as one does in classical ballet, which I did from ages 5 to 12ish (I have an ankle deformity and en pointe was just going to lead to way too many injuries and an “ugly leg” - my then teachers said “shame, you have all of the look and one of the erm… grace needed for the lines of the leg” I quit shortly thereafter)

Pure Barre the chain teaches their own brand of barre which is IMO very very different than other barre methods.

(I don’t like it as much as I find it less of a practice and more of a catch all low impact exercise that appeals to the masses). BUT that is why some people like it – it’s not for me likely bc of my early dance experience and my preference for classical reformer pilates

…Pure Barre has the LEAST focus on external rotation - so a good option if you’ve not got others!

Exercise is great - some is better than none

I personally don’t love doing types that undo progress in others - at 25 I had more malleability in my body to go from one “extreme” to the other. I’d do CrossFit to ocean swimming/surfing to pilates to barre to riding to running marathons (all in the same week / within 14 week cycle) …

At 34 … I just don’t do that workout schedule anymore so bad habits from other activities creep into my form - a function of age or function of focus … idk!

[JB]

@mika0116

just don’t do that workout schedule anymore so bad habits from other activities creep into my form - a function of age or function of focus … idk!

Focus for sure!

I’m almost 60, and have done a wide variety of online workouts for years, choosing those that focus on a variety, from sheer strength training, to asymmetrical work (the very best IMHO for general fitness), to more cardio focus with body weight strength (not so much these days).

Cross-training is, IMVHO, the very best for general fitness, and works amazingly well for riding fitness, IF the cross training has focuses on general strength and evening out imbalances

[mika0116]

Cross training is important no doubt, but competing “sports” / “activities” have diminishing returns.

Cross-training is beneficial for overall fitness, it’s important to remember that the most significant improvements will come from training specifically for your target activity.

I’m … rather active, so right now I prioritize ultra light hiking (rucking), some running - not ever more than 10 miles per day, I am retired from LD, reformer pilates, kettlebells, olympic lifts only 2x a month, and riding.

running already makes me quad dominant (bad for riding) - ideally, your hamstrings should be operating at no less than 60–75 percent of quad strength and among top runners, the ratio is closer to one-to-one and I am not even a good ammy runner these days anymore so I just have to understand that if I am going to run - I’m unfortunately going to be quad dominant.

I rather not add another “bad” habit personally to my riding fitness! So barre drops off my to do list due to the focus of external rotation in non chain classes - which is fine, I am picking my battles! And I have a full time tech job (no kids), but I am running our of hours per week to devote to fitness…

my covidy weight gain that I refer to above was cheese & clinical depression / grief from death of a parent. Which came first the cheese or the depression - unclear!
…

[Bristol_Bay]

I just read the title of this thread again, and as a retired English teacher, I’m begging you to edit out the seemingly double negative.

“Without no-stirrups work” maybe?

I can’t take it no more!

[ceh17555]

Haha I didn’t even notice. Mostly phrased it that way because I know everyone would’ve recommended dropping stirrups first! So wanted something other than that

[ceh17555]

Me being 23 helps . I get very bored very quickly of workout classes but am never productive on my own so I rely on them. I’ve done everything from boxing to Pilates and yoga, and just switch it up when I get board of my current fixation. I’m always switching my workouts and don’t find it really translates to the saddle in a negative way as long as I’m staying generally fit.

[Annie10]

lol. I saw it too but understood what she meant lol

[Ponyplusaninch]

What I like about Pilates is that you gain way better awareness of your body and overall coordination. Once you have that, cross training becomes much easier, because you have greater awareness of what you’re trying to accomplish and how to get there.

I do barre, and I agree to some extent that if you’re doing barre with an instructor who knows what they’re doing, the turnout is not conducive to riding position. But I wouldnt let that deter your from the class. Still a lot you can gain. I’m specifically thinking about all the ankle mobility and strength moves as well as the micro movements in second position plié or squats—all while being asked to stretch tall and up. That does in fact correlate very much to riding!

I am also someone that does posting and balancing position at the walk. Incredibly efficient for strengthening, low wear tear on your horse, and you’ll be able to build stamina. One other variation is going from balance position slowly into two point—and then back into balance position. Boy you gotta use your core for that and not let your pelvis tilt back too much! You will feel it. And it ties in nicely with Pilates work

[mika0116]

Yeah totally seems like any group exercise is good for you depending on your current fixation (adhd?)
as you don’t stay consistent or work a program consistently alone

I’m the other type of neurospicy, I do something so intensely until I become consumed with it and then burn out bc I’ll have 3 of these going at once. at a point in my 20s I was legitimately addicted to exercise / training - I got treated for that bc what I was legit not sleeping to keep up with my insane IB job on top of my fitness/ sport obsessions