Being "fit" enough for lessons

Cross train.. do yoga, pilates, DDR, situps, cycling, hiking, swimming, running, etc.

Ah this sounds exactly like me! I just started taking lessons despite having my own horse, and I feel like I just flop around because I'm too weak to keep the right position or use the right aids, even though I know what I'm doing! Well...sort of :P But anyway, I think after the first lesson where I THINK I almost died, my instructor has been great...gives me more breaks, makes sure I'm doing okay. I feel like a huge wimp, but oh well. I don't have any advice, just wanted to commiserate :P
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Don't worry too much about it!!!! You can express your feeling to your trainer and I'm sure it will ease your mind!! You can workout everyday all day and still be EXHAUSTED when you ride. Working out definitely helps so don't stop!!! Make sure you're doing lunges, strength training and cardio. Riding is the main way to improve riding! If I rode once a week I don't think I'd be able to stay on my horse!!!!! Expecting yourself to maintain or improve your riding abilities riding 1 day a week is putting way too much pressure on yourself!!!! You can't compare that with your abilities when you're in "riding shape" and riding everyday!!! Take this time to do a lot of "back to basics"/ fundamentals with your trainer...Not a physically taxing but definitely mentally taxing!!! Good luck and please don't be so hard on yourself...you'll be back to your old riding self in no time!!!!!

Good! That means you have pushed those muscles hard enough that they will gain strength. If you don't feel a little bit of muscle soreness after any strengh-related exercise, you are going to see little if any improvement.

Riding along is not enough to keep fit and strong.
I ride 6 days a week and usually more than 2 horses a day a few days a week.
Then I am at the gym 5 days a week, running 6 days/week, and do a huge amount of leg and core strengthening exercises.
I
In the last couple of months I have started with a personal trainer and am working extremely hard at the gym as I have some employment goals that I would like to reach, and having put this huge amount of effort in my riding has improved 10 fold. I always thought I had decent core strength and a good seat, but now I find it very easy to sit medium trot on my horse, and stay very glued when he spooks and carries on like a pork chop!

Do you "flop" around on the lesson horse more so out of balance or strength? Do you get that same feeling when you do get a chance to ride your horses? Lesson horses know their job, and depending on how advanced they are, can be quite sensitive to your aids and have some extra suspension in their movement. Either way, I think you got some great ideas on this thread already on how to get in better shape for riding, it always helps!

Here's a couple links for exercises that can be done to improve balance & core strength! :)

7 Balimo Exercises To Improve Your Balance In The Saddle from Practical Horseman | Equisearch

Rider Fitness Tip of the Month: Improve Core Strength

Three Stretches to Prevent Horseback Riding Injuries fromThe Trail Rider | EquiSearch

This newsletter is geared toward English and I ride western, but still find it very helpful! :)

It a strength thing not so much a balance thing. I start out pretty good but as the lesson goes on I get more and more tired and that's when my position starts to slip. The rare chance that I get to ride one of mine (hasnt happened in weeks...) I was sore after and didnt ride long but its not like I don't have balance or am new to riding.

Thanks for all the advice guys!!

Well I had another lesson tonight and felt at least a little better and did a bit more jumping which was fun...now hopefully im not so sore this week that I can't go to the gym!!!