Mountain biking is an incredibly fun and exhilarating sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages. However, it can be hard on your shoulders, especially if you’re not careful.
It can cause pain, fatigue and even injuries if you don’t take the necessary precautions.
One of the most important things to consider when mountain biking is your bike’s fit. Poorly sized or fitted bikes can put strain on your shoulders, neck and back muscles, leading to pain and discomfort.
Make sure the bike frame is the right size for your height – it should be comfortable to ride, with easy access to the brakes, shifters and handlebars. Once you’ve got the correct bike size, adjust the seat height so that your arms are almost fully extended when you sit on it.
Another important factor to consider is your posture while riding. Make sure you keep your back straight and maintain a good posture while riding.
This will help reduce strain on your shoulders and keep them in a more natural position while riding. Additionally, focus on using your core muscles instead of just relying on your arms and shoulders to power you up hills or through tough terrain.
Protective Gear
It’s also important to wear protective gear such as elbow pads and gloves when mountain biking to protect yourself from falls or crashes. Wearing these items will help reduce strain on your shoulders by absorbing some of the impact when you hit bumps or rough terrain.
Strengthening Exercises
Finally, strengthening exercises for your shoulder muscles can help improve their ability to handle the stresses of mountain biking. Try simple exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups or lateral raises with light weights – these will help build strength in your shoulder muscles without putting too much strain on them.
Conclusion:
Mountain biking can be hard on your shoulders but there are steps you can take to minimize this risk such as making sure that your bike is properly fitted and adjusting your posture while riding. Additionally, wearing protective gear and strengthening shoulder muscles with light weights are both effective ways to reduce shoulder strain while mountain biking.
