[lynnloves739]

I was just curious...what do you guys do to stregnthen your legs?
Since I have gotten Jake we haven't done a lot of work yet, but I plan to start working more with him this summer. We have trail rode a lot, but that hasn't really stregnthened my legs. So I started taking lessons again at a local barn and now I notice it even more. My trainer says I have a nice leg, but it could use some stregnthening. I know that riding will help, but I only take lessons once a week, and since it is winter I can't ride Jake too often because the ground where I keep him is all icy and slippery.

So do any of you do exercises to work on your lower legs? I just want to get back into better riding shape as fast as I can, so when I ride I am not exhausting myself.

Just curious. Thanks.

Lynda

[Shotgun93]

I use an elipticle (sp?) machine a couple times a week. But I also do lots of riding in the two point. While I condition my horse, I started at a minute for each gait and I ride in the two point, then I move up a minute every week. When I first started I could barely make a minute, but now I am up to 4 minutes and it's getting easier. I have noticed that my calf muscles are starting to get more defined.

[Simon Says]

i have a stair climber that i use, also i ride my bike a lot

[Paints4me]

Squats!!! That will get your legs in shape

[lynnloves739]

Thank you, everyone. Keep the suggestions coming, I love this.

[spotteddrafter1]

For lower legs (calves area) I stand on the edge of a stair (facing the step, so that just my toes are on the step)....then SLOWLY lower my heels until they are almost in riding position....then SLOWLY raise up until my feet are parallel with the stairs.....my English instructor taught me that back in college....and man does it work. Also, you could try posting without stirrups...or 2-point without stirrups....

[GriffinsGirl]

BIKING!!! I found this out by accident when I went away to university without a car. I biked 40 minutes uphill to school every single day. Came home for summer, got on my horse and BINGO!! My riding had improved instantly by the most unbelievable amount!! Major lower body strength, plus, if you do mountain biking on trails it also works your upper body and uses almost the exact same kind of balance as you do on your horse (therefore improves the strength of your core muscles like abs and lower back). I don't think you would get the same benefits from stationary cycling.

Seriously, since I started biking, I have not once come off a horse (in 11 years!) ( unless the horse fell right down of course...but that doesn't exactly count ).

[Super_Trooper]

The best way to "strengthen" your leg muscles is to use resistance. Although Ellypitcals and steppers are great for cardio and toning, weights will build your legs stronger. I do lunges and walking lunges with weights or with the smith machine. I use a 20 pound dumbell in each hand. I do the same weight with my squats too. Do 2 sets of 10, and make sure you FEEL them.

I also use the leg press machine and do quads and calves on there. Do the calf raise machine too, it really works the lower leg. And I always end with the leg curl and extention machines.....

[zorse]

I do calf raises, like spotteddraft was describing. I do mine with a dumbbell in each hand though.

[ibsammy]

Heheh, join wrestling. Running does it great too! Try running a mile a day, and eventually build it up higher, and higher, til you can can run 4-5. When you can do that you'll be great.

Remember! When you run DONT STOP! When your exhausted run another mile. The best way to build muscle is to get really tired (if you dont mind being sore)

When the soreness comes, I have some great ways to stretch!