I know a lot of people cringe when they have to think about physical fitness, but personal health is a universal issue of importance. I find it especially important for motorcycle riders as there’s a strong mind/body connection when driving your bike. If you’re not fit enough to control your motorcycle, you can find yourself in some extremely uncomfortable and possibly dangerous situations.

Now, I’m not saying all riders should be gym fanatics at all, but I’ve found first hand that if something on your body is injured or weak; it can drastically affect your riding capabilities. Last year alone I sprained my left ankle, right knee, and left shoulder. Unfortunately, all these injuries occurred within three months of each other. Needless to say, I no longer participate in the adult basketball recreation league as it’s too detrimental to my health.

However, for the past six to eight months I’ve had to adjust the way I ride my motorcycle in order to accommodate my injuries. The shoulder and the knee injuries being the most painful while riding. To this day, I’m still working on rehabilitating my injuries and growing stronger. My bike easily out weighs me by three hundred pounds, and I’ve felt it every time I’ve ridden while injured.

It’s my belief that basic strength training can greatly improve everyone’s riding experience. Even non-explosive workouts such as yoga or pilates can be extremely helpful in restoring balance to your body. I’ve been seeing a chiropractor off and on for years now, but last year my physician noticed I had a great deal of tension in my neck. She surmised this was from the weight of my helmet, and the wind pressure I encounter on a daily basis from riding.

As you can probably tell from the account of my injuries, I lead a pretty active lifestyle. I don’t see myself slowing down too much in the near future, so I have to make sure I keep my body in good condition year round. Otherwise, I won’t be able to ride as often as I’d like.

Over time small aches and pains turn into major problems that could costs hundreds of dollars to repair. It’s best to be proactive in making sure your body is as strong as possible to sustain your lifestyle. For a rider, this is vital for enjoying long rides or basic commutes to and from work. So, let’s sacrifice a little sweat in order to stay in the saddle longer.

Stay safe in these streets!