I noticed some COTH’ers have referred to rider pilates groups… any recommendations? I definitely need someone telling me what to do; I lack the discipline to do the exercises on my own.
There is a great Facebook group “Rider Pilates Club”, and she does free five-day workout challenges every so often.
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If you struggle with sticking to a workout routine on your own, I would definitely suggest going to a studio if you have one near you, even if the workout isn’t rider specific. Obviously different things work for different people, but to me the accountability of having to show up in person is pretty crucial! And a good pilates class is going to work all of the areas you’d want to for riding, anyway.
I hear you, CC, and you’re right, but I can’t get to a studio; work and other stuff takes up enough time. But, you are definitely, positively right!
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I really like Dressage Rider Training. Three, 20-minute workouts a week — one core, one yoga and one strength.
I did her free challenge in February this year and have been doing her paid sessions since.
She does an EXCELLENT job building a foundation, so much so you hardly realize it until you can do something with ease you would have expected to struggle with. She also explains how the different exercises translate in the saddle.
I have also never felt better and more functional in the saddle than I do now. 100% recommend .
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I also do Jess’s Riders Pilates online courses. 100% recommend as well.
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I highly recommend going to a studio with accredited instructors, much like riding - without live instruction you end up in the trap of not being able to see yourself and get appropriate correction.
I work a lot, like a LOT (60 hours/week is not abnormal), and my studio has classes 6am (some have 5ams) all the way until last class at 730 or 8pm. Weekend classes too!
I see some HORRIBLE form and poor execution at my studio of folks who “have been doing Pilates at home for years via Youtube”. They have to “restart” their education because they’re not engaging the right muscles, they have little to no pelvic independence, and don’t have an engaged core nor are able to hold a neutral spine. And these are some very visibly athletic people of all ages.
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