Why Fitness is Important
Hi there! Shal here. As a former personal trainer and Post-Rehab Specialist for 10 years, and going through my own rehab programs covering 9 different orthopedic surgeries, I would like to share the importance of being strong, fit & healthy. Over the years, I have found that by having good physical fitness, I have been able to spike balls harder, throw around a snow machine weighing 550 pounds, ride my dirt bike on advanced single track in the heat of the Arizona desert and ride across five Backcountry Discovery Routes in one season with more ease and enjoyment. Those who are fit have more fun, more enjoyment and get more out of their experiences.
When it comes to fitness and riding motorcycles we know that cardio fitness will enhance your mental clarity and judgment – extremely important for obvious reasons. You’ll have the energy and stamina to engage fully in your rides, and everything else you love to do. A rider who possess good cardio conditioning is able to go for extended hours without getting tired, due to the conditioning levels achieved through regular aerobic/cardio workouts. Having better mental tolerance and endurance can be life saving and you can achieve that by having good cardio fitness.
A good start to improving rider fitness is cardiovascular (cardio) exercise. This could include activities such as cycling (I recommend mountain biking), jogging, and swimming. These activities improve fitness of the heart and lungs, enabling them to get oxygen and essential nutrients to various muscles more effectively, not to mention toning your muscles. So, if nothing else, doing some kind of cardio exercise 3-5 times per week will be very beneficial to your riding experiences.
You should not discount muscular endurance/strength though. I’m not talking about having large powerful muscles. I’m talking about having good quality toned muscle, with an emphasis on endurance. You as a rider, will be able to maneuver the bike with less effort, and ride longer. Isn’t that what we all want to do? Improving general fitness and muscle tone will also help reduce the general aches and pains associated with riding for long periods by increasing joint strength and improving body posture, and I hate to say this, but especially as we get older. I feel it’s important to focus on an overall body program that includes all muscle groups. In doing so, you won’t create muscle imbalances and potential injuries due to those imbalances.
Please don’t think that if you don’t ride an adventure bike that this program is not for you, because you too will benefit from such a program. The program is based on building overall fitness and endurance.
Soon to come…videos that will demonstrate exercises for Part 1 of your SheADVantage! You will find examples of exercises performed at the gym, as well as at home. Hope you find this helpful. I’m happy to help you along the way, so please contact me with any questions you might have. Click on the SheADVantage button below to get started.
