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Basic Fitness Routine for Motorcyclists
By Carolyn from bluepoof.com
Fret not, this really is a basic routine! Whether you've been
lifting weights for years or have never once touched a dumbbell, the
following exercises are guaranteed to help your motorcycling.
If you're a newbie, go to Target and pick up a pair of dumbbells for under $10 -- that's honestly all you'll need. Also, go peruse Krista's site for an amazing amount of excellent -- and hilarious! -- weightlifting info (ostensibly for women, but applicable to everyone). If you obsessively research things, like I do, ExRx.net's weight training page has great advice for people just starting out.
Neck/Shoulders
Holding that helmet up is hard work -- for both riders and pillions! If you
or your passenger is complaining about a stiff/sore neck after rides,
dumbbell shrugs
will quickly strengthen your neck and upper shoulders.
Arms
Shorties in particular will benefit from having buff biceps -- it sure makes
it easier to push that 500-lb motorcycle out of an inclined parking space.
Bicep curls
are really basic, but they work.
Wrists
I probably don't have to tell you about wrist pain: between an aggressive
sportsbike posture, feathering the clutch in stop-and-go traffic, and
covering the brake while that minivan cuts you off, it's a miracle we can
move our hands at all. Wrist curls and reverse wrist curls
can make the difference between a commute and a miserable commute.
Abs
Sportsbike riders: your lower back will forever sing your praises if you
strengthen up those abs to help it out. Everyone hates crunches,
but sadly, they work. For variety, alternate with jackknife situps
or V-ups.
Hips
My hips kept cramping up whenever I'd hang off in a turn. Now, I do
iliotibial stretches
every day, plus some tougher-than-they-look side lunges
a few times per week. No more cramps!
Legs
Strong quadriceps grip the tank better; work them with the almighty
squat
and step-up.
Balance out with some stiff-legged deadlifts
for your soon-to-be-aching hamstrings. If shifting gives you calf pain,
first adjust your shift lever, and then do some calf raises.

January 24, 2007
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