We all have limited time--24 hours each day for every single one of us. If one develops an exercise routine designed to improve one's riding ability and comfort in the saddle, it is important that the exercise schedule not unnecessarily take time away from riding. Every exercise should be designed with riding in mind.
That means working to increase flexibility and strength in one's hamstrings, quadriceps, obliques, back and abdominal muscles. Bulging triceps and pectoral muscles won't help keep you in the saddle
Neither do huge biceps. No need to build big guns.
Leave your guns at home and work on your riding muscles.
Y'all go look up pictures of mid to late eighteen hundreds cowboys...men who rode for their living...day in and day out....now go look up pictures of modern day mongol herders. Not a spare ounce, no WWE material. But those folks are hard and tough as braided steel wire. Core strength...not muscle mass. Watch my creaky old carcass go up the side of a squirrely horse sometime...build core strength. No one looking at my spaghetti arms would see me as strong...it is the core that counts, and what you do with it. I walk miles everyday at work, and I ride horses. That and some basic exercises will not only make you more fit...but you will ride better and enjoy it more. -Lloyd
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