Breaking Through: Are You Really Stuck in a Fitness Plateau?
As an equestrian athlete, you know the importance of strength, balance, and endurance in the saddle. But what happens when your fitness progress seems to stall? Many riders fear they’ve hit a plateau when, in reality, progress is still happening—it just might look different than expected. Before you get discouraged, consider these five reasons why you may not actually be stuck.
1) You’re Moving Through a Deeper Range of Motion
Strength isn’t just about how much weight you can lift—it’s also about how well you can move. If you find that you can now squat lower, lunge deeper, or perform core exercises with better control, you’re making gains. This increased mobility and stability translate directly to better riding posture, balance, and control over your horse.
2) You’ve Lost Weight, But Your Strength Has Stayed the Same
If the number on the scale has gone down, but your strength levels haven’t dropped, that’s a huge win! Maintaining your ability to lift the same amount of weight while carrying less overall body weight means your relative strength has improved—something that’s critical for riders who need to maintain strength without unnecessary bulk.
3) Your Body Composition Has Changed
Maybe the scale hasn’t budged, but your body is leaner and more defined. If your clothes fit differently or you see more muscle definition in the mirror, your body is reshaping itself. Muscle weighs more than fat, so a lack of change in total weight doesn’t mean progress isn’t happening—it’s just happening in a way that the scale doesn’t reflect.
4) Your Metabolism Has Increased
Even if your weight hasn’t changed, have you noticed you can eat more without gaining? That’s a sign that your metabolism has sped up due to increased muscle mass and activity level. A faster metabolism means you’re burning more calories at rest, which benefits both your fitness and your ability to sustain energy for long rides and training sessions.
5) You May Have a Mental Block
Sometimes, the only thing stopping us from progressing is our mindset. When was the last time you attempted to lift heavier or increase intensity? If you’ve been using the same weights for months, it may be time to challenge yourself. Confidence plays a huge role in performance, both in the gym and in the saddle.
Conclusion: Are You Really in a Plateau?
A true plateau means no progress in any area for an extended period. However, as you can see, progress isn’t always measured by weight lifted or pounds lost—it can also be seen in movement quality, body composition, metabolism, and mental breakthroughs. If you’re unsure whether you’re actually in a plateau or if you need guidance on how to break through, working with a coach (like me!) can help. Together, we can assess your training, fine-tune your approach, and ensure you keep progressing in and out of the saddle.