Riders, like any athletes, can improve their performance by strengthening their core muscles. A stronger core gives you better balance, stability in the saddle, and is the foundation upon which all other strength gains must rest. Think about the coordination involved in giving the proper aids on a circle. My mare chooses not to feel my leg aids, so I have to use extra emphasis… therefore I can use all the core strength I can get in order to be able to shift/squeeze/push while not visibly flailing about. Contrary to popular belief, your core is not just your abs–it’s pretty much your entire torso. A nice out-of-the saddle side effect of a stronger core is better posture and self-carriage. And obviously, a better looking belly for the beach!

I don’t have a favorite core routine. I’ve tried the routines using exercise balls, the quickie routines that are supposed to be so simple that you can easily incorporate them into your daily routine (never works), and the really intense routines that make my whole body shake with effort. My goal is to find something that works, that doesn’t take too long, and that is enjoyable enough to make a habit of. I’m a runner, so I scoured the Interwebs for core workouts geared toward runners, and there are a lot.  It’s hard to go wrong with Runner’s World, so I’m going to try theirs first to see if I can get hooked. (After trying it once, my comments are that the Fire Hydrant didn’t do much for me, but I couldn’t even do the Supine Stabilizer once!)

Things to keep in mind when starting any exercise program:

1. Ease into it. If you’re not used to working your core, take it easy at first.
2. Breathe!
3. Quality is more important than quantity. Don’t speed through reps just to finish the workout! Focus on correct execution.

Here is the core workout from Runner’s World. Give it, or any core workout of your choosing, a whirl for a good several weeks, and see if you can tell a difference–in the saddle and out!