For 2019, Sundance Equestrian took the time to ask riders what their goals were for the upcoming show season. (Discussing goals at the beginning of the year can be a great way to find focus in lessons as well as give trainers insight into what riders feel they are lacking.)

The most common answer was the goal of fitness.

Which naturally leads us to ponder the quagmire that is the fitness industry. Everywhere we look there are messages telling us to get thinner, look better and to “just do it”.  The pressure to be thin, especially for women, is still an ongoing discussion in the horse industry. The real goal, of course, should be to feel great and be fit so you can be the best rider you can be.

With that in mind, I thought it was time we talked about the reality of fitness – what it is, what it isn’t, and how to gauge it.

Exercise May Be Hard, But Getting Fit is Fun

Here’s the first secret: exercise isn’t always fun. That doesn’t mean it can’t be, but don’t look for that as your primary goal. Ask me about running. I do it three times a week – regardless of the weather. Now ask me if I like it. No. I don’t. Not at all. I’ve been running for years but I never liked it. When people find out I don’t like to run, they are mystified. “Why?” they ask, befuddled. But my answer is the same: Fitness. It’s my job – for me, and my horses – to be fit.

(Getting metaphysical for a moment: if your lesson is hard, then you learned more that day. If your run was hard, you burned more calories and got more out of it than on the day it was easy. Fun isn’t the goal of exercise – fitness is.)

The good news is, the results are fun. I love running when I get to do a race and beat previous times. I love running when I ride my horses and walk away without feeling winded or worn out. You will definitely enjoy the benefits of being fit.

Fitness Takes Time, but There are Tools to Help

Fitness takes time. I have to stay fit for my profession, and on average my regular workouts – which include running, biking, swimming, some yoga, and rock climbing – take up to 15-20 hours a week. This means that for me fitness is a part-time job. Not everyone can commit to that sort of time, but to be fit everyone has to commit to some time.

So if you are limited on how much time you have – and how much motivation you have – try to schedule your work outs. Look at your schedule realistically. Find time and activities that will work for you and know your preferences. If you bike, but you are prone to staying indoors at the slightest hint of rain, then give yourself another workout that you can do as a replacement in case the first one gets rained out.

You may find that technology can help: fitness apps keep me motivated and focused. I use two apps, but my favorite is Strava – why? Because friends comment on my activities. With the app, you wind up with a community of people who you know are looking for you to show up regularly and put up some stats. The app helps make you accountable to someone besides just you.

Be Realistic in Your Goals (It’s Not About Weight)

Set realistic goals based on how you feel and perform, not how thin you are. We are taught that how much we weigh tells us how fit we are, but in the same way that how high you jump doesn’t tell us how accomplished a rider you are, your scale numbers don’t tell you about fitness.

As a recovering scale addict, I can tell you I weigh more now than I did a year or two ago but am fitter and yes – if you’re wondering – thinner. How? Because weight tells only a portion of the story. The real story is in results. Can you do more without tiring? Great – that’s fitness. Do your clothes fit better? Also fitness. But be warned – body changes aren’t always about getting smaller. Fitness quite often means more muscle mass (part of why the scale isn’t your friend here). I’m fit, but I’m not dainty.

How your body responds to working out is unique to you. Some people pack on a lot of muscle, some trim down, others get increased endurance, and most of us do a bit of all three. Leave your scale turned off and buried under your give-away clothes pile as your work yourself into new clothes (smaller or larger) that show off the new, fitter, you.

Identify As Who You Wish To Become

Claim your new, more fit identity. Quite often we learn to identify ourselves as “something”, but what if that definition is holding us back? Frequently I hear people say that they don’t work out because it’s “not who they are”. Yet our health is a huge part of who we are. Can anyone truly say that they would choose not being able to easily sit up vs. having the energy to do things with family and friends? Don’t identify yourself as something you aren’t, identify yourself as something to become. Give yourself permission to do something for you – even if it is hard, sweaty and awkward. Most importantly, don’t set your standard based on someone else or on some idealized representation of fitness. Success needs to be based on you, and no one else. You are doing this to improve your life. You may never be the “fitness guy”, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be fit.

Don’t Depend Solely on Riding for Fitness

This may seem obvious, but if you want to be fitter for riding, you will need to add a another type of workout or activity. I firmly believe that riding does not get you fit for riding. Yes, it teaches our muscles what to do, and, eventually, we aren’t sore anymore, but what pushes our bodies forward is cross training. Much like our horses, our bodies need variety and change in order to stay challenged and make progress. This also goes for your ongoing workouts; change things up once in a while to avoid hitting a wall and getting discouraged.

Treat Yourself With Respect

Please be aware of your own body. Everyone can do something, but not everyone can do everything.  A runner since high school, I had to cut back because my body eventually couldn’t handle it, so I replaced some running with biking. There are always alternative ways to stay fit. Consult your doctor, coach or fitness trainer before beginning a new workout, and pay attention to your body. Aches and pains from working out are normal, but sharp aches and pains can be warning signs. If you experience unusual discomfort, see your doctor. Nothing sets fitness back like having to take months off for an injury.

Now Get Out There; Your Horse Will Love You For It

I get excited when I hear riders talking about fitness. Riders with horses in training know that their horses have strict diet and exercise programs to keep them healthy and fit. Fitness is a huge part of keeping your horse healthy and productive in his life, and the same goes for the rider. If you commit to your own health and fitness, your hours in the saddle will be more fun for both of you!