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California Riding Magazine • March, 2009 LegUp Personal Training by Kathleen Burke Jensen |
Tanja Hsu has been riding most of her life, so when she became a NASM certified personal trainer and started focusing on helping her clients strengthen their core muscles, a light bulb went off in her head. “This is exactly what riders need to become more efficient in the saddle at communicating with their horse,” she said to herself. So Tanja created a weekly class with partner Brian Redfield at The Penthouse Gym in San Diego where they rent space and welcome riders of all disciplines. Before launching the class Tanja tested her theory that a stronger core, balance and muscle control makes for a better rider, by putting Brian, who had never even sat on a horse before, on her difficult 17.1hh Thoroughbred. Brian is extremely fit and Tanja imagined that if he could master posting such a bouncy trot it would mean that fitness and strength contribute considerably to effective riding. “Brian was posting the trot on the correct diagonal and perfectly balanced by the third time,” Tanja says with enthusiasm, “Most novices would take months to achieve what he had by his third ride! I had to ask him again if he was sure he had never ridden. It was that impressive.”
Trainers Tanja Hsu and Brian Redfield. The weekly class includes a variety of core, strength, balance and cardio all designed to increase lean muscle mass and therefore help riders become better at controlling their bodies in and out of the saddle. A stronger rider gives the horse more confidence and makes it more receptive to the rider’s aids. A fit body is also more resistant to injury. Tanja’s horse slipped a few months ago and landed squarely on her body. She walked away with only three cracked ribs, a punctured lung and a brief hospital stay. The doctor in the emergency room said that being in top condition undoubtedly saved her life. Tanja’s LegUp Personal Training joined forces with Brian of Redfield Fitness, where they offer one-on-one training to individual clients as well as a team in group classes. The space they rent at The Penthouse Gym is first rate. Centrally located next to the UTC mall, The Penthouse Gym is easily accessible from the 805 and 5 freeways. The gym’s placement on the 10th floor of a beautiful office building offers sweeping views, superb equipment and the privacy of an exclusive gym.
The Penthouse Gym. Perfect Setting No membership to the gym is required to take the class which is priced at only $10/class. The class has the gym to itself so clients don’t need to worry that they are going to a gym that is packed with an excessive amount of people. “People often say they are shy and don’t like to put themselves on display in a gym,” says Tanja. “Our set-up is perfect for them as it is quiet and non-threatening.” There are stationary bikes, free weights, machines, bosu balls, swiss balls and more. One of Tanja’s favorite exercises for riders is squats while balancing on the flat side of the bosu ball. This effectively allows riders to stabilize their core and replicate the strength and body control that riding requires. “As a horse trainer and riding instructor I am constantly looking for ways to strengthen and improve my training skills as well as those of my students,” says client and three day eventing and jumper trainer Lisa Schreifels. “The core training that Brian and Tanja provide in their circuit classes target the muscles needed to be effective in the saddle. The beautiful location of the gym and the positive approach make for a comfortable and encouraging setting in which to train and develop into stronger riders.”
For more information on LegUp Personal Training or Redfield Fitness contact Tanja Hsu at 858-395-3873, e-mail tanja@thepenthousegym.com or visit them on the web at www.leguppersonaltraining.com. |
