For those who love polo, they know there’s no game that offers more excitement. The thrill of riding a well-trained horse back and forth across the field, outmaneuvering your opponent, and scoring a game-winning goal makes it a sport that’s like no other. However, since it does take some time to learn the many skills necessary to be great at polo, it’s important to train well along the way. If you’re ready to take your place among the polo elite, here are some of the best ways to train like a professional polo player.
Get In Plenty of Riding Time
Since polo can be a very physical sport, it’s important to get in plenty of riding time with several different horses. By doing so, you’ll get a great cardio workout, helping you gain endurance and intensity that will serve you well during a match. And along with this, you’ll get to know the various nuances among different types of horses, which can also help you in your match.
Get a Total Body Workout
When you’re riding your horse, you may not realize it, but you’re getting a total body workout in the process. While your legs are steering the horse, your upper back and arms are getting strengthened through swinging the mallet. And finally, your core is also getting stronger, since you’ve got to sit upright in the saddle in order to have a clear view of the field and anticipate your next move.
Hone Your Riding Skills
While you need to get in as much riding time as possible, it’s also important to hone your riding skills while in the saddle. Since you’ll be doing plenty of high-speed turns, stops, and changes of direction, your legs will get a great workout. And along with this, you’ll also be able to work on your flexibility, since you’ll be constantly bending over to hit the ball, all the while counterbalancing your horse to keep you and the horse in the best position for the shot.
Get Plenty of Sleep
While you need plenty of practice time on the polo field, most coaches also recommend getting plenty of sleep as well. By doing so, you’ll not only feel great physically, but also be mentally sharp to outwit and outperform your opponent.
By following these training tips as often as possible, there’s no doubt you’ll be the best polo player on the field.