| BMX riding requires high speed skills | | | | minutes per day for training for the |
| and nerve. This exciting sport is as | | | | majority of the week. |
| popular as ever and is to be included in | | | | Teenage riders should concentrate on |
| the 2008 Olympic Games. Bicycle | | | | improving overall riding strength though |
| moto-cross to give it its correct term | | | | weight training. Circuit training has a |
| uses off road tracks or specially | | | | role to play in the physical aspect otf |
| designed courses to test the skill and | | | | the sport. Track racing and extra work |
| nerve of participants to the max. | | | | goes a long way, where proper warm up |
| During the late 1960s, BMX riding found | | | | and cool down exercises help with daily |
| a home within California, where the | | | | training. More experienced riders will |
| teenage population emulated motocross | | | | benefit from 30 to 120 minutes of |
| icons with their bikes. It is believed | | | | training throughout the week. |
| that the actual sport of BMX was the | | | | As you enter BMX riding, there are a few |
| brainchild of Scot Breithaupt, who | | | | basic details to learn, which will make |
| actively participated from 1970 to 1977. | | | | your experience and training much |
| It is also believed that a motorcycle | | | | easier. A working knowledge of bicycle |
| racing film called On Any Sunday, | | | | parts, maintenance, fundamental riding |
| captured the public's imagination. Soon | | | | techniques, and what to expect for the |
| after, the middle of the decade saw a | | | | first time are just some of the things |
| skyrocketed interest of the sport. | | | | that place you on the path towards |
| Before long, BMX catapulted into the | | | | improvement. An array of essential |
| mainstream, as more and more notable | | | | components makes up the art of BMX |
| characters made a name for themselves. | | | | riding. To better your craft on a BMX |
| Television appearances also followed, as | | | | bike, you should familiarize yourself |
| did ESPN coverage and a host of video | | | | with the nuts and bolts: |
| games focusing on the sport. The | | | | Body Positioning: BMX riders must be |
| popularity of BMX is so glaring that | | | | able to explode at the beginning of a |
| riders can now earn medals at the | | | | race in order to gain that initial |
| upcoming Summer Olympics held in 2008 at | | | | advantage. This is in addition to being |
| Beijing. | | | | abole to perform high level riding |
| How to Improve Your BMX Skills | | | | skills to get through the course. |
| As with most sports � practice does | | | | Knowing when to sit and stand is also |
| make perfect. The off-road adventure | | | | important. If you do not master body |
| that BMX has become allows riders to | | | | positioning, you could fall of a bike, |
| showcase freestyle skills or sprint | | | | collide with another, or become injured. |
| about single lap racetracks. When it | | | | Jumping: Many individuals get into BMX |
| comes to racing, a starting gate greets | | | | because they are intrigued about the |
| up to eight eager riders who are ready | | | | aspect of jumping. Learning how to |
| to rip and roar banked and flat | | | | correct mid-air mistakes and improve |
| obstacles, perform jumps, and cross the | | | | your jumping skills is necessary to |
| finish line. In order to get to the | | | | enhance both freestyle and racing |
| point where maneuvering a bike is second | | | | skills. Pushing yourself to reach higher |
| nature, riders must train to prepare | | | | and farther goals in jumping also |
| their body, mind, and skill. | | | | improves an individual's overall BMX |
| Getting used to the bike used for BMX | | | | skill. |
| riding is a challenge for some because | | | | Cornering: A rider needs to learn when, |
| they tend to display durable and | | | | where, and how to properly corner since |
| quick-handling characteristics. The | | | | a wide-range of factors affect BMX. This |
| bikes are also lightweight. When it | | | | includes knowing when to stick the leg |
| comes to BMX, many riders enter races to | | | | out, brake, accelerate, or lean into the |
| test their skills and improve through | | | | bike. |
| experience. Riders from the age of 8 to | | | | Braking: Riders also need to learn how |
| late adulthood may enter training plans | | | | to utilize the braking mechanism of a |
| aimed at strengthening the body and | | | | bike, which allow individuals to master |
| skill level about 12 weeks before a | | | | cornering, jumping, and whoops. |
| competition. Development is one of the | | | | Additional training exercises to |
| most important aspects for excelling in | | | | consider include passing, peddle |
| the world of BMX. | | | | control, advanced jumping techniques, |
| The age level of a rider usually | | | | and stunts, such as backflips. Overall, |
| determines the intensity and basic | | | | BMX is a challenging sport that permits |
| requirements needed to improve in BMX | | | | one to test the strength and agility of |
| riding. Youth riders should approach | | | | the mind and muscles. |
| sprint training to enhance their track | | | | Robert Ryles is a Chartered Physical |
| speed endurance, power, strength, and | | | | Therapist. He has worked extensively in |
| maximum leg speed. Younger riders are | | | | orthopedic and sports medicine fields |
| still growing; meaning care is essetial | | | | and in both International and |
| in practice to ensure all round muscle | | | | Premiership football. He is also a |
| development at a controlled rate. | | | | lecturer, researcher and author in his |
| Athletes should set aside 30 to 60 | | | | expert field. |