Stretching - Lower Body
6
Chapter 2
HAMSTRING: Face the ATV, put your leg up on the footpeg or seat of your
ATV (or handlebar if you are really flexible!) and stretch. Keep your back and
knee straight.
Warming Up
Riding an ATV requires a lot of body movement. Doing warm-ups
before you stretch, will help prevent muscle strain and injury.
Stretching
Remove large and sharp objects from pockets. Do not overexert your-
self on warm-up exercises. These are minimal exercises and repetitions
suggested for warming up. As with any strenuous activity, you should
consult your doctor if there is any doubt about you being in shape to ride.
Sore muscles or joints could limit your movement and require you to take
extra precautions when riding.
Stretching Exercises
Possibly one of the areas most neglected by ATV riders these days is that of
injury prevention through stretching. It’s only when you fall off and are flexi-
ble enough to avoid injury that you will really reap the benefits of stretching.
The Stretching Routine
Before you proceed with the following stretching exercises, you should
warm-up your muscles by doing a brisk walk or jogging on the spot for
a few minutes.
When stretching, make sure you don’t push too hard too soon –
stretching shouldn’t hurt. Gently stretch each muscle rather than bounce
1. QUADRICEPS: Keep your knee pointed at the ground and hold the
stretch. Hold onto the ATV only for balance.
HIP FLEXOR & UPPER THIGH: Lean forward as shown, putting your weight
on your rear foot but keeping both feet pointing forward.
TORSO & LOWER BACK: Hang onto the handlebars with one hand and the
rear carry rack with the other and twist at the hips. (Repeat other way.)
