Power Kite Forum

Buggy abs

BeamerBob - 15-12-2008 at 10:46 AM

After spending 3-4 hours tooling about the beach in the buggy and much of that driving Pokitetrash's tandem rig, I had very peculiar (for me) definition in my midsection. Particularly, obliques were visible that are usually (on me) faint at best. I thought I had posted about this in the past, but a search didn't find anything. Who needs abs of steel when you can get the same results with the fun of a buggy. If I could just buggy for an hour or two 3-4 times a week........

kiteon - 15-12-2008 at 11:18 AM

are u using a harness??

kitedemon - 15-12-2008 at 12:08 PM

Hey Bob I have the same thing, with handles with out, bar harness it doesn't really matter it is all abs! I don't know way exactly. I think it is a style of riding where you pull away from the kite mine I think came from riding a pl at first where I always felt like I was going to be forcebly removed from the seat! Just a thought!!
A

BeamerBob - 15-12-2008 at 12:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by kiteon
are u using a harness??


I have a harness yet don't like the lack of tactile feel when using a strop. I like the workout as well. I've never had to stop buggying because I couldn't hold the handles any more. Also, I'm usually buggying in lumpy inland winds that go from 2-12 and back again. I either need to be able to turn loose to keep from being ejected when a 12 hits or have the flexibility to move my arms around to keep the kite in the air when it is 2mph for a second. (Yeah, I should size my kite for the gusts but then I wouldn't move 70% of the time. I could also just not go try.) They thought I was crazy when I bought a lawnmower a few years ago and insisted it be a walk-behind so I could get the exercise. They said they NEVER hear that.

BeamerBob - 15-12-2008 at 12:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by kitedemon
Hey Bob I have the same thing, with handles with out, bar harness it doesn't really matter it is all abs! I don't know way exactly. I think it is a style of riding where you pull away from the kite mine I think came from riding a pl at first where I always felt like I was going to be forcebly removed from the seat! Just a thought!!
A


Another thing is that I'm tall, so the kite has a little extra leverage on my midsection. I agree that bracing to make the buggy slide with the power instead of ejecting me is what causes it. We had a section of soft sand on beach we really needed this weekend because of the side wind and that along with the tandem dragging behind me in it with repeated turns and accelerations turned into a real workout. I'd do it all over again today though..... without the harness.

kitedemon - 15-12-2008 at 01:13 PM

Hey Bob,
6'4" 220 lbs... That may be a factor as well.

lunchbox - 15-12-2008 at 01:44 PM

Yep...great workout....I'm pretty used to it now,,,but if I take a break (2 weeks) or go out for a really long time,,,I definitely feel it...that week I skip the situps at the gym....love getting the ab workout doing something fun!

...also I fly in similar conditions and like the ability to release at a moments notice...don't feel 100% confident that I would be able to find my quick release fast enough if I was hooked in...

Bladerunner - 15-12-2008 at 02:16 PM

After my hernia operation on my belly I noticed that I strain it a LOT more when sitting in the buggy ? I guess when I'm riding upright my back is straighter and the power distributed different. Even a year later a good buggy ride makes me feel like I've over done it while I can go all day on the board or blades ?

dylanj423 - 15-12-2008 at 03:19 PM

I just started buggying recently. Having flown kites for a little more than a year, I was quite surprised at how buggying works different muscles than ATB'ing or just flying. It really gets my forearms, and have definitely noticed a better midsection, too.

After one surfing session, I REALLY noticed my abs coming in. I can hardly wait until spring again.

BeamerBob - 15-12-2008 at 07:26 PM

The surfing gets your abs from the paddling and the step up onto the board motion. Not to mention balancing which uses your whole core. For the forearms, try using a light grip with the handles in your fingertips. I can slide all 3 wheels on my buggy under power without using a deathgrip. All disciplines where the hands grip something that I've been involved in say the same thing. Baseball, tennis, water skiing, motocross, weight lifting, archery, and bicycling all say to let your hands float. You will toast your forearms very quickly with white knuckles.

heliboy50 - 15-12-2008 at 07:33 PM

A lot of twisting at the waist (ie. normal buggy operation) will work obliques. Next time the other half asks why you need another kite tell her/him this one will take care of love handles. ;)

pokitetrash - 22-12-2008 at 07:45 AM

I still just have one HUGE ab... I must be doing something wrong. My definition increases exponentially with the beer intake. IF I keep on this route, I'm almost at the point where I won't need to install side bar padding 'cause my love handles will hang down like side curtain air bags for protection....

Fear my awesomeness!!

csa_deadon - 22-12-2008 at 07:51 AM

Bob you need to make a infomercial vid. "Abs of Jibe!" :eureka:

heliboy50 - 22-12-2008 at 01:45 PM

Six pack abs ain't nothin'- how bout mini-keg abs:smilegrin:

SCREWYFITS - 1-1-2009 at 12:54 PM

That's not a beer belly, that's a fuel cell to a sex machine!!!:cool:

BeamerBob - 1-1-2009 at 04:22 PM

I've been at the coast since Monday and buggied a grand total of 200 feet. The wind died. Woke up this morning and the wind was howling. Wouldn't you know it, we had family obligations, but I have wind and beach tomorrow. I'll work on those buggy abs again. Maybe if I can put enough miles in, I'll be worthy of that video. Now, I need to convince my wife about what this is inside my waistband. Fuel cell huh. Sounds good.