Why doesn't my exercise count?
popcorn7225
Posts: 29 Member
So ride horses competitively (and at a high level) and I've done so for approx 8 years straight. I have VERY strong core and legs. I ride 5 days a week for an hour a day plus all of the extras that go with it like grooming, tacking up and cleaning up afterwards.
I wear a HRM and I burn 500 cal an hr while being in my zone for a min of 30 min. My average HR is 155 throughout the entire session.
I've started with MFP 2 weeks ago and people are telling me I need to do more than ride daily because my body is used to riding. If that's the case should people who work out everyday have to so something else too? Aren't their body's use to working out too?
What does it matter if my body is used to riding or not? I'm still literally dripping in sweat and sometimes out of breath, my clothes are soaked. My body is exhausted when I'm done riding and it sure does feel like a good workout. When I walk for exercise I barely get out of breath but I don't go that long either. I don't jog bc it's just too taxing on my cardio and really isn't enjoyable to me at all.
Can someone please explain this?
I do have the option to ride a bike or swim but most days after riding I'm exhausted!
I wear a HRM and I burn 500 cal an hr while being in my zone for a min of 30 min. My average HR is 155 throughout the entire session.
I've started with MFP 2 weeks ago and people are telling me I need to do more than ride daily because my body is used to riding. If that's the case should people who work out everyday have to so something else too? Aren't their body's use to working out too?
What does it matter if my body is used to riding or not? I'm still literally dripping in sweat and sometimes out of breath, my clothes are soaked. My body is exhausted when I'm done riding and it sure does feel like a good workout. When I walk for exercise I barely get out of breath but I don't go that long either. I don't jog bc it's just too taxing on my cardio and really isn't enjoyable to me at all.
Can someone please explain this?
I do have the option to ride a bike or swim but most days after riding I'm exhausted!
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What type of riding are you doing? I showed competitively for 14 years and my HR would never have approached that level (western and hunt seat). I suppose if I spent the entire hour posting then maybe.
I suspect people are saying that based on their experience with riding and the fact that it doesn't typically raise your HR into the aerobic zone much at all - especially for those who are used to it. Based on your description of your riding sessions, I think you're fine.
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I guess I am confused of the question?
The riding absolutely does count. I would definitely think that 500 is a huge stretch for an hour of horseback riding, but I am sure you burn something and they do count.0 -
I ride upper level dressage. It's a LOT of work staying with a 1500lb animal and looking like I'm sitting still. They bounce you all around and you must constantly be constricting your muscles to stay with them and not bounce.
Dressage is a lot different than western and hunt seat. It's constant body control.0 -
People are telling me my body is used to the work so it's not really counting as exercise. I just don't understand thatI guess I am confused of the question?
The riding absolutely does count. I would definitely think that 500 is a huge stretch for an hour of horseback riding, but I am sure you burn something and they do count.
I don't ride like you may think if you were to rent a horse and go on a trail ride and everyone stays in a line walking. I competitively and at a high level so it's constant muscle contraction and release the entire ride. If that makes sense. I'd post a video but not sure it would convey just how hard it is. It appears to be just sitting there but it's honestly a ton of work staying with a moving being.
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Since riding at that level is something you have always done maybe they think you have included it in your activity level already and shouldn't account for it twice. Kind of like someone with a very physical job would choose active instead of sedentary and not log what they burn doing their job 5 days a week. If you didn't account for it already in your lifestyle activity level then I think you could log it.0
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No I didn't count it when I signed up.0
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yes it should count0
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I think they are meaning that if you constantly do the same work out, it's less effective after a while. Like, if you do the same amount of bicep curls with 15 lb weights for 6 months straight, it's less effective at the end of those 6 months than it was at the begining. You say people who work out should change it up then, and it's true, and usually they do change it up each day. Upper body one day, lower body the next, core, cardio, etc, adding weight or reps as time goes. You're doing the same type of riding every single day. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just explaining what others might possibly be meaning.0
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If it's not listed here, maybe you can Google for calories burned while horseback riding, or something, and then create your own exercise? Definitely it sounds like a work out so I would count it as such.0
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dressage is tough stuff and certainly gives a good core/leg workout!
Defninitely count it but I doubt your HRM is being super accurate, its not going to be a steady cardio session since you are transitioning between w/t/c and different exercises throughout the ride. Start with what your HRM tells you and if you are losing faster or slower than you should be that might be one of the areas to look at for adjustment in the future.0 -
Yes. Monkey Mel I think that's what they mean too but not sure I understand. I do understand that what I do is more taxing on beginners than it is on me but I think the HRM should still be a good indicator of a good work out....right?0
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Since riding at that level is something you have always done maybe they think you have included it in your activity level already and shouldn't account for it twice. Kind of like someone with a very physical job would choose active instead of sedentary and not log what they burn doing their job 5 days a week. If you didn't account for it already in your lifestyle activity level then I think you could log it.
This. It's not about what you are used to, it's about what you entered as your activity level when you joined. If you chose sedentary or lightly active (or whatever your activity level would be without the riding), you definitely should be logging your riding. Some people choose to eat less than 100% of their exercise calories (50% seems popular) but if you want to be accurate, you should be logging it.0 -
I suspect people are saying that based on their experience with riding and the fact that it doesn't typically raise your HR into the aerobic zone much at all - especially for those who are used to it. Based on your description of your riding sessions, I think you're fine.
I rode hunter for many years and once we got up to the working trot, cantering, and jumping my HR was definitely in the aerobic level, also helps when you have the world laziest horse and have to create his energy
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Count it! Just because you aren't building new muscle, being as it is an activity level your body is accustomed to, doesn't mean you aren't burning a ton of calories still. It sounds like you are counting it for the cardio, just like a runner, rower, etc would, which you absolutely should. Many people on here are very focused on increasing their athletic capabilities, and forget that not everyone needs to do that to make a realistic weight loss goal.0
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Count it! Just because you aren't building new muscle, being as it is an activity level your body is accustomed to, doesn't mean you aren't burning a ton of calories still. It sounds like you are counting it for the cardio, just like a runner, rower, etc would, which you absolutely should. Many people on here are very focused on increasing their athletic capabilities, and forget that not everyone needs to do that to make a realistic weight loss goal.
You aren't burning TONS of calories doing dressage.
You may burn a fair bit- but it's not tons.
Even when I was racing endurance (which is literally ALL DAY in all kinds of elements) I wasn't burning tons.
Yes it's work. But no- it's probably not as much work as you think. I also would never consider riding to be exercise. I acknowledge that it's physical work- but I wouldn't' count it as exercise.
I would gladly exercise to support my riding- and make me a better athlete- but I wouldn't' count riding as exercise- it's not- it's work- but it's not exercise.0 -
I was told that as well when I had an active job and it really irked me.
I think what they mean is that, if you are riding almost every day, that's really included in your activity level rather than as additional exercise. Someone who chooses "sedentary" is given fewer calories for their daily goal than someone who chooses one of the other activity levels.
Honestly, I wouldn't worry about additional exercise. For weight loss, what you eat is what you need to track.0 -
Ok Thanks everyone. It just didn't make sense to me to not count it. There really isn't much more I can do in the day workout wise besides walk. I really am tired after riding. Maybe when I drop some weight I'll have more energy to do more but right now I'm just concentrating on eating healthy and getting those rides in. Also I entered myself in a sedentary bc I wanted to track my riding and try not to eat back those calories since I know the HRM is not 100% accurate.0
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4legsRbetterthan2 wrote: »
I suspect people are saying that based on their experience with riding and the fact that it doesn't typically raise your HR into the aerobic zone much at all - especially for those who are used to it. Based on your description of your riding sessions, I think you're fine.
I rode hunter for many years and once we got up to the working trot, cantering, and jumping my HR was definitely in the aerobic level, also helps when you have the world laziest horse and have to create his energy
Mine was like that too, but I still don't think my HR got that high (and I was nationally ranked at the end so it wasn't user error LOL). But, I was infinitely younger at the time too LOL.
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I wouldn't' count riding as exercise- it's not- it's work- but it's not exercise.
I think you're getting hung up on semantics. If it makes you feel better, we can call it a "calorie burning endeavor". But the bottom line is, physical activity burns calories. What you call it doesn't matter. If you haven't accounted for those activities in your activity level, then you *can* add calories onto your day. While not everyone actually does this, that is how this site/app is set up. I personally find it motivating to be able to eat more on days I have more physical activity.0 -
Count it! Just because you aren't building new muscle, being as it is an activity level your body is accustomed to, doesn't mean you aren't burning a ton of calories still. It sounds like you are counting it for the cardio, just like a runner, rower, etc would, which you absolutely should. Many people on here are very focused on increasing their athletic capabilities, and forget that not everyone needs to do that to make a realistic weight loss goal.
You aren't burning TONS of calories doing dressage.
You may burn a fair bit- but it's not tons.
Even when I was racing endurance (which is literally ALL DAY in all kinds of elements) I wasn't burning tons.
Yes it's work. But no- it's probably not as much work as you think. I also would never consider riding to be exercise. I acknowledge that it's physical work- but I wouldn't' count it as exercise.
I would gladly exercise to support my riding- and make me a better athlete- but I wouldn't' count riding as exercise- it's not- it's work- but it's not exercise.
No I don't think I burn a TON I think I burn 500 - TEE for that hour. I also feel like I''m burning before I ride and after and I don't even consider them.
The other question I have is.....there are many people who ride 5-10 horses a day. While most of them are a healthy weight what must they be eating to counter balance all that exercise?
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popcorn7225 wrote: »Count it! Just because you aren't building new muscle, being as it is an activity level your body is accustomed to, doesn't mean you aren't burning a ton of calories still. It sounds like you are counting it for the cardio, just like a runner, rower, etc would, which you absolutely should. Many people on here are very focused on increasing their athletic capabilities, and forget that not everyone needs to do that to make a realistic weight loss goal.
You aren't burning TONS of calories doing dressage.
You may burn a fair bit- but it's not tons.
Even when I was racing endurance (which is literally ALL DAY in all kinds of elements) I wasn't burning tons.
Yes it's work. But no- it's probably not as much work as you think. I also would never consider riding to be exercise. I acknowledge that it's physical work- but I wouldn't' count it as exercise.
I would gladly exercise to support my riding- and make me a better athlete- but I wouldn't' count riding as exercise- it's not- it's work- but it's not exercise.
No I don't think I burn a TON I think I burn 500 - TEE for that hour. I also feel like I''m burning before I ride and after and I don't even consider them.
The other question I have is.....there are many people who ride 5-10 horses a day. While most of them are a healthy weight what must they be eating to counter balance all that exercise?
I used to ride more than that a day. Part of my 'training' was working the stables' lesson horses, usually bareback. Then I got to ride my horses, and then any of the green-broke horses that the trainer wanted exercised that day, but didn't want to do himself.
Truthfully, it doesn't burn much more than walking at a moderate pace. Probably doesn't even burn that much because you are sitting up there and not supporting a good portion of your own weight, regardless of muscle tension and perceived effort. In order to lose weight back then, I still had to significantly reduce calories (under the guise of a 'performance' diet plan - i.e. eat only grilled chicken breast, fish, occasionally bread, and steamed veg for months).
What you have to remember is that higher perceived effort doesn't necessarily mean you're burning more calories. It's an easy mistake to make.
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I'm going to sum this up as best I can.
1. Since you put sedentary into your goals, yes you should log the calories burned while horseback riding in my opinion.
2. A heart rate monitor is in no way, shape, or form an accurate device for measuring calorie burns during a horseback riding session. They are designed for steady state cardio, which this is not.
3. 500 is too many calories burned for an hour on horse back. I understand that it is work and that you work hard doing it, but that does not mean you burn a ton of calories doing it. You said you don't eat your exercise calories back so it doesn't matter anyway how much you are burning.0 -
Sweat is not a good indicator of calories burned. In fact, people who live in a warm climate and do the exact same exercise as someone in a cool climate burn fewer calories even though they sweat more profusely.
I burn about 500 calories cycling at around 18 mph. You aren't burning 500 calories sitting on a horse. You are probably working your core but it's not an intense cardio workout. Anyway, what difference does it make? If you feel good doing what you're doing and are in good health overall, who cares what a HRM says?0 -
I wouldn't' count riding as exercise- it's not- it's work- but it's not exercise.
I think you're getting hung up on semantics. If it makes you feel better, we can call it a "calorie burning endeavor". But the bottom line is, physical activity burns calories. What you call it doesn't matter. If you haven't accounted for those activities in your activity level, then you *can* add calories onto your day. While not everyone actually does this, that is how this site/app is set up. I personally find it motivating to be able to eat more on days I have more physical activity.
typing on a keyboard burns calories to- but I don't think anyone in their right mind is considering it "exercise"
if you're a vaulter... or you're a ballast on a obstacle course buggie- then yeah- I could buy "exercise" because there is without any question your'e going to be working your *kitten* off.
If you're 'just' riding (and I do say that not to be snarky) then it's not really exercise. but I agree- if you're trying to keep track of things- you need to be aware of where your calories are going.
i'm in dance class anywhere from 10-15 hours a week- I pretty much only log it to note that I did it- I log NOT calories burned for it (well 1) because despite the fact i'm working my butt off- it's still not typically burning calories like exercise is.I'm going to sum this up as best I can.
1. Since you put sedentary into your goals, yes you should log the calories burned while horseback riding in my opinion.
2. A heart rate monitor is in no way, shape, or form an accurate device for measuring calorie burns during a horseback riding session. They are designed for steady state cardio, which this is not.
3. 500 is too many calories burned for an hour on horse back. I understand that it is work and that you work hard doing it, but that does not mean you burn a ton of calories doing it. You said you don't eat your exercise calories back so it doesn't matter anyway how much you are burning
this is an excellent summation quiet honestly.0 -
I'm going to sum this up as best I can.
1. Since you put sedentary into your goals, yes you should log the calories burned while horseback riding in my opinion.
2. A heart rate monitor is in no way, shape, or form an accurate device for measuring calorie burns during a horseback riding session. They are designed for steady state cardio, which this is not.
3. 500 is too many calories burned for an hour on horse back. I understand that it is work and that you work hard doing it, but that does not mean you burn a ton of calories doing it. You said you don't eat your exercise calories back so it doesn't matter anyway how much you are burning.
all of that
honestly, if you do it every day, I would include it in my daily activity level- and set it at active. You can always adjust it if you are losing to quick or slow for the goals you input.
I'm actually pretty active (even though I have mine set as sedentary) and I dont count anything other than deliberate exercise - so horseback riding, gardening, yard work, being in the pool, moving heavy things.... none of it I count, even though between it and running around taking care of an old man and disabled husband, 2 homes and 3 kids... I'm rarely still (at least it feels that way!). but those are all things i did BEFORE changing my lifestyle to lose weight. I Did all those things and was still fat, ergo, it doesn't help me in my fitness journey.... and doesn't get counted as exercise.0 -
I'm going to sum this up as best I can.
1. Since you put sedentary into your goals, yes you should log the calories burned while horseback riding in my opinion.
2. A heart rate monitor is in no way, shape, or form an accurate device for measuring calorie burns during a horseback riding session. They are designed for steady state cardio, which this is not.
3. 500 is too many calories burned for an hour on horse back. I understand that it is work and that you work hard doing it, but that does not mean you burn a ton of calories doing it. You said you don't eat your exercise calories back so it doesn't matter anyway how much you are burning.
Thanks everyone for the feedback but it looks like I'm in the same position I was at the beginning.
No. I try not to eat back the calories but I kind of like to know I have them if I want to have a beer/wine whatever. Because I need to give my horse a day or two off was week I like to know what I stand with weekly calories.
What makes you think that this is not steady state cardio? Just curious. How many calories do you think would sound normal for an hr vs sitting at a desk for an hour?
I've already restricted calories so that's not the issue. The issue is I like to know what's going on as best as I can. That is what helps me to stay on track. I'll never be a runner or weight lifter it's just not my personality. I do swim but have no way to measure cal burned doing that either.
There aren't too many fat riders so there must be something to it. Even the lifestyle is conducive to burning calories. The reason I got into trouble is just eating anything I want and only riding 1 horse a day.
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This site lists horseback riding as an activity under the Sports & Recreation category. After inputting my specific data and adding 60 minutes of trotting, it figured I would burn 529 calories. I tried it for walking - 4mph for 60 minutes and it came back with 421 calories. Walking at that pace feels more difficult than posting but maybe that's because my body is 'used' to riding.
http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc0 -
I did the calculator too and it gave me 700 an hr but my HRM is only clocking 500. Not sure how accurate either are. Today I swam for 20 min after riding. I was no where near as winded or as tired from swimming as I am from riding. Someone above stated about that bc they don't feel I'm supporting my own weight that it's not getting the full benefit of working out. I must def am supporting my own weight. A true rider never sits like a sack of potatoes. And if that was the case then how is riding a bicycle or swimming any different?
For those that don't ride I can only describe riding as this. Imagine you're sitting on the horse. There is a big guy in front of you, a big guy behind you and a big guy on either side of you. Now imagine all of these guys pushing and pulling you in rapid succession for an hour straight. One guy may pull pull pulll and then PUSH. Or push push push and then pull. You just never know what direction you're going to get pushed or pulled and you must not let them take you off balance. Now imagine that whole scenario moving up and down and forward while you try to to let any of the guys get you off the horse. That's what riding feels like. It's not easy. You do get winded and you are using muscles.
I'm going to experiment more with walking, swimming, biking and riding and see which one really is most demanding. I know some of the people who just don't get it will be rolling their eyes and thinking "ugh you're just sitting there" but trust me.....it's a lot more than that and that's probably why you don't see heavy people riding at the top of the sport.0 -
I'm not going to suggest that riding isn't tough or that it isn't a sport, but since you keep tossing around the "why you don't see heavy people riding at the top of the sport," I'm going to suggest the obvious alternative. The people at the top of the sport likely run smaller because it's in the best interest of the horse (or at least makes for optimal performance by the combination of horse/rider).
Stop trying to compare riding to steady state cardio. It's different. You're not going to find an accurate comparison between running or swimming and riding, because there isn't one to find. That doesn't mean that riding isn't work, or it isn't difficult, or it isn't exercise. It simply means that you shouldn't compare the two.
I wouldn't compare lifting with running either. Different is different.
Riding isn't some magical, high-end exercise that creates super athletes no matter how many times you try to suggest that to be the case. If you don't want to run or lift or whatever, then don't do them. No one is trying to force you to do anything, but you're not going to get anywhere pretending that what you're doing now will somehow cover those same areas for you.
Have you tried talking to other riders about this issue? I imagine that you'll find that people who possess this body type you keep talking about in this topic put a fair amount of work into it when they're not on a horse.
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I'm well aware of why there aren't heavy people at the top of the sport and yes....1 is the welfare of the horse and to obtain optimal results and 2 the physical demands keep people thin.
I don't think I was trying to compare riding to steady cardio but I do believe there is def cardio involved for a portion of the ride which doesn't make it a magical high-end exercise that creates super athletes rather I was asking why this form is exercise doesn't count as exercise. I'm not sure that has been answered.
I realize no one is forcing me to do anything I'm simply trying to find some form of exercise that I can do to reach my weight loss goals and while I understand why some would think that it's "just sitting there" I just don't understand why it wouldn't be beneficial to me just as swimming is to a swimmer or biking is to a cycler.
No I haven't spoken to other riders and yes I agree they do (put a fair amount of work into it outside of riding). As do I (maybe not as much as they do bc I work full time at a desk (and they more than likely do this for a living) but there is still a good amount of daily work that goes into it that I'm not even considering as exercise.
Just to be clear.....I'm not so overweight that I'm threatening the welfare of my horse.0
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