SubscribeGift a Sub
Enable cache 100
Equestrian Lifestyle

Spring Shape-up: Workouts for Equestrians

Looking for some inspiration when you hit the gym? Here are some workouts you can do at home, the barn or at the gym to help kick your fitness resolutions back into gear.

Workout #1



3 Rounds – 60 Seconds each*

  • High Knees
  • Air Squats
  • Reverse Lunges
  • Plank Hold



*Just starting out? Start with 30 seconds of each. Need some extra difficulty? Add weights of some sort (medicine ball, dumbbell, saddle) for the squats and reverse lunges.

Workout #2

Running Intervals

  • 5 Minutes warm-up (brisk walk or slow jog)
  • 1 Minute Spring (or faster run speed)
  • 2 Minutes Jog (or walk)
  • 1 Minute Burpees1 Minute Sprint
  • 2 Minutes Jog
  • 1 Minute Push-ups
  • 1 Minute Sprint
  • 2 Minutes Jog
  • 1 Minute Crunches/Sit-ups
  • 1 Minute Sprint
  • 2 Minutes Jog
  • 1 Minute Squats
  • 1 Minute Spring
  • 2 Minutes Jog
  • 1 Minute Plank Hold
  • 5 Minutes Cool down (again, brisk walk or slow jog)

Workout #3

High Intensity Intervals

Do each exercise at a high intensity for 45 seconds, rest for 15 seconds

  • Mountain Climbers
  • Push-Ups
  • Squats
  • Crunches
  • Burpees
  • Plank
  • Jump Squats
  • Tricep Dips
  • High Knees
  • Lunges

Workout #4

99 Reasons to Sweat

  • Run 1 Mile
  • 33 Push-ups
  • Run 1 Mile
  • 33 Air Squats
  • Run 1 Mile
  • 33 Burpees

Workout #5

Just Starting Out
(Perfect for your first foray into high intensity interval workouts)

  • 40 Jumping Jacks
  • 10 Push-Ups
  • 30 Jumping Jacks
  • 20 Crunches
  • 20 Jumping Jacks
  • 30 Walking Lunges (15 each leg)
  • 10 Jumping Jacks
  • 40 Small Arm Circles (20 forward and 20 backward)
Click the image below for a printable version of these workouts

 


Get more workouts in the Fit Rider column in the March 2016 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

Megan Arszman

Megan Arszman is a freelance writer based in Indiana, where she’s learning to balance motherhood with horses, dogs and writing.

Recent Posts

Working and Volunteering in Equine Assisted Services (EAS)

Are you in the market for a new career? Equine assisted services (EAS) centers across the U.S. are reporting job…

10 hours ago

How to Choose the Perfect Riding Helmet

Read along for a guide on how to choose your riding helmet for safely riding a horse. Being a horse…

1 day ago

2024 Kentucky Derby: Make Your Pick

Read along for a look at each horse competing in the 2024 Kentucky Derby. In 2021, 17,779 Thoroughbred foals in…

4 days ago

ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Equines of the Week: Vixen and Pipsqueak

Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…

5 days ago

Adopt a Horse Month Success Stories

Imagine an entire month dedicated to celebrating adoptable horses: For the past four years, the month of May has been…

6 days ago

Guest Ranch Horses

Horses in the guest ranch industry come from varied breeds and backgrounds. Learn more about them. The scenery may be…

1 week ago