The easiest way to improve your horse-riding skills is practice on the
horse as often as possible.
However, it may not be always possible for all of us.
An effective alternative way of practicing for those busy people is gym ball
exercises.
Balancing skills are one of the most crucial skills required on horse riding and gym
ball is an easy and very advantageous ways to improve your balancing skills.
Here, Asami, the gym ball instructor will introduce you some handy exercise tips,
especially beneficial for horse lovers!
みんなの乗馬TOP ＞ How to improve your riding skills＞ How to improve your riding skills:
gym ball exercises 1
How to improve your riding skills
日本語 / English
How to improve your riding skills: gym ball exercises 1
Gym ball exercise①
Hello there. I am your instructor, Asami Sugita.
Gym ball, also called Swiss ball or exercise ball is one of the most practical tools to increase your sense of balance. As you know, balancing skill is vital to improve your horse riding skills!
These balls were very popular a few years ago, so you may have it already at home.
Originally, the gym ball was invented for people who need a support as a part of their physical rehabilitation process after injuries or illness.
Then it was widely adapted in sports gyms and individuals who want to exercise more effectively.
The beauty of gym ball exercise is that you can start it easily at home.
You don't need to worry about going out in the bad weather or pay expensive fees on the sports gym but many people used it and store it away after a while.
In fact, the gym balls can also be useable for aerobic exercise, increasing muscle strength and stretching your body.
These exercises are not only helping you improve your horse riding skills but also help you being fit – kill two birds with a stone!
In this series of articles, I am going to introduce you some easy gym ball exercise tips!
Here is today's exercise.
This is one of the most basic gym ball exercises.
You should ensure that you sit on your lower back of hipbone to get straight back.
If you are not doing exercise in a good posture, you cannot get the maximum effect from the ball!
How to do it
１、Sit on the ball with your lower back of hipbone and straight your spine
２、Open your leg in the shoulder width
Be aware that your legs are opened in 90 degrees.
If it is not possible, the size of the ball is not right for you.
You can try to adjust it by putting more air in or taking some out in order to get the perfect fit for your figure.
In general, we recommend 55cm diameter ball if your height is in between 150cm-165cm, 65cm diameter ball for 165cm～175cm.
３、 Slowly lift your legs one by one. Holding your arms up will help you taking balance easily.
４、 Keep this position as long as you can.
If you feel wobbly, focus on your core muscle and take a balance with your arms and legs.
This adjusting balance movement is the key of this exercise.
Don't give up too easily and try to keep this pose as long as possible.
If above is too difficult for you, you can hold yourself against the wall to start with.
Be careful not to fall over, find your own confortable pace.
If you cannot find time to exercise or you don't really like doing regular exercises, it will be a good idea to use your gym ball in your daily life.
Why don't you swap your office chair to your gym ball?
If you have fun, it will be more chance for you to continue exercising!
Gym ball instructor, ex child minder
Based in Saitama area, she is organizing gym ball exercise sessions.
She puts a great emphasize on 'good feelings' after exercising, particularly using gym balls.
Based on her own experiences, she is aiming to write about how body and mind are connected, how she sees the world in the everyday life and how woman can live more freely.
Read her blog from here:http://s.ameblo.jp/cyaaaaami/
