COACH STACY'S HEALTHY U

Q: Coach, my friends say they get a better workout at their weekly Zumba classes than I get working in my barn and riding my horses.  I feel like I work up a pretty good sweat – but am I getting as good a workout as my Zumba friends?

–          Laura – Arvada, CO

A: Laura, pretty much everything you do involving your horses – grooming, riding, training and cleaning up after – produces a substantial calorie burn.  Here is the calorie burn in detail:

 As you can see, many of the activities you do in the barn or in the saddle burn a comparable number of calories as your friends’ Zumba classes do.  My advice?  Saddle up – and invite your friends to ride and throw hay with you from time to time.  But tag along with them to Zumba too.  Bottom line is when you’re moving, you’re improving!

– Coach Stacy