Dianna Robin DennisThe Rider's Fitness Program: 74 Exercises & 18 Workouts Specifically Designed for the Equestrian

I would love to have someone to follow me around a gym and set up the equipment for me, but I have no idea how to do that. Some programs I can do at home except for 2 or 3 that require gym equipment. This is very frustrating to me. How many of the warm ups do I need to do before I start exercising? How many stretches afterward? Why are the warms mixed up with the stretches? Is there a video I can use for each of the programs so I don't have to study the book on every exercise day? I understand the benefit of not doing the same thing every day, to confuse the muscles and keep them guessing, but what about my brain? A gym day? Not a gym day? Why doesn't the book lay flat? Let me know when you come up with a new, improved version of this book.I put the exercises into a spread sheet, for each week, and where I would be doing the exercises. There were a few days that I needed to drop in to the local recreation center for only $4 each time. At age 73, I can do most of the exercises without modification. I will add resistance as I get stronger. My trainer noticed big improvements in my posture every week, and I am feeling more confident. My horse is moving better too. It was worth the effort to arrange the book so that I could manage it all without wasting time between exercises.

Loved the exercises and how much easier I can move my flexibility has improved greatly

What I like:This is a really cool book with some well-designed workouts for the equine enthusiast. The authors correlate the exercises with how they will benefit you as a rider, which makes it more meaningful then just randomly exercising. The authors also take great care to provide the reader/rider with a progressively challenging routine that will address all of the muscle groups in a certain way to provide the best overall strengthening routine.What I don't like:This would be a totally fabulous book for all equestrians to fit-up for the riding season, except that many of these exercises require gym equipment or a gym membership. I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on gym equipment. Nor do I want to spend hundreds of dollars for a gym membership. If I had a gym membership and access to a personal trainer, I wouldn't need this book!That being said, the book is still useful in that it can help you plan a routine that will build core and peripheral strength, even if you skip or adjust the exercises that call for the gym equipment. Some is better than none, after all, right? Good luck!

I absolutely love this book. I have a few different books on fitness in general, but this is the only one that has the routines set up for you. I have only managed a workout once a week, although they recommend three times a week, yet I can still feel the difference in my body. One of the things I really like about this book is it tells you what each exercise is supposed to do... such as help improve your balance in the saddle, or increase your muscle strength for posting or jumping. I know a few reviewers have complained about having to have a gym membership, but this isn't a problem for me, as I have a gym close by. There are alternate "at home" versions of some of the exercises, which requires the purchase of some equipment, but again, I don't see that as a problem. If you are serious about riding, a little bit of expense on the side is worth it, IMO, if it makes you a better rider. I am a beginning adult rider, and need all the physical conditioning I can get. This book is perfect for helping me to achieve this.

I started a riding program almost a year ago and discovered fairly quickly that gym work was going to be essential to achieving my personal goals. I spent a few months attempting to do programs of exercises that others had recommended and, finally, decided to buy this book since it was a complete program. It has made all the difference. Balance issues are going away quickly as my balance, strength, and flexibility grow. My trainer has been amazed at my progress. The instructions are clear and the program is balanced so that no one area gets overworked for any session. Most importantly, the program builds the muscles needed to do the the more difficult exercises. My only wish is that the thing came in a 3-ring binder or similar so I can remove the pages I want without having to take the whole thing to the gym. Thus, today, I am disassembling my book to do just that.

I took this to the gym and worked on it every day along with my yoga practice. I really saw a difference.Easy to read and use. I didn’t go section by section as recommended. I looked it over at the gym and decided what I thought needed work but I have used the whole book. Just not in order.

I found this book had lots of exercises I could happily carry out but not having the gym equipment and not having a gym close by I had to chose what was practical for me to do. By purchasing some of the basic equipment I increased the range of exercises that I could do. The exercises I could carry out were very useful for my physical development - strength, balance and flexibility - and I'm older than most beginner riders having only started riding at age 65! I'm getting more fit & I'm sure it will be of value in my old age! The exercises would be good even if I wasn't riding. I liked the way the exercises were related to the needs of the horse rider.