Mountain biking can be an exhilarating and rewarding experience, however, it can also take its toll on your body if you are not careful. One of the most common areas of discomfort for mountain bikers is their knees. Knee pain is a common complaint among mountain bikers, but there are a few steps you can take to reduce the risk of injury and keep your knees healthy.
One of the most important things you can do to protect your knees while mountain biking is to ensure that your bike is fitted correctly. An incorrectly sized frame or seat height can put unnecessary strain on your knees, leading to discomfort and injury. It’s also important that you wear appropriate clothing while biking which will help to support your joints and muscles.
A proper warm-up routine before riding is essential in order to get your muscles ready for the ride ahead. Stretching and light exercise will help prepare your body for the physical demands of mountain biking and reduce the chance of knee pain during or after riding. Additionally, it’s important to stay well hydrated during rides, as dehydration can lead to muscle cramps and other issues which may cause knee pain.
Strength Training
In addition to proper bike fit and pre-ride warm-ups, strength training is also key in reducing knee pain while mountain biking. Strengthening the muscles around the knee will help better support the joint when on uneven terrain or during hard landings from jumps. Exercises such as squats, lunges, and calf raises are all important for strengthening these muscles.
Rest & Recovery
Finally, it’s important not to overdo it when mountain biking. If you’re feeling any discomfort in your knees or any other part of your body it’s best to give yourself time to rest and recover before going out again. Taking regular breaks throughout rides will also help keep your body from becoming exhausted or overworked.
Mountain biking can be an enjoyable activity but it’s important that we look after our bodies while doing so. By following the advice above we can reduce the risk of knee pain while mountain biking and ensure that we stay safe on our rides.
Conclusion:
Why do my knees hurt mountain biking? Knee pain is a common complaint among mountain bikers due to incorrect bike fit, lack of proper warm-up routines before riding, dehydration during rides, lack of strength training around the knee joints, and overdoing it on rides. By taking steps such as ensuring correct bike fit, warming up before riding, staying hydrated during rides, strength training around the knee joints, and taking regular breaks during rides we can reduce our risk of knee pain while mountain biking and stay safe on our rides.
