Hints and Tips to Help Prevent Arm Pump While Riding Motocross

If you are a true motocross rider, even if youthey are trying to achieve, rather than their
have high levels of motocross fitness, at somecapabilities.
point you should have felt the strains of armMotocross relies on cardiovascular endurance
pump.more than anything, faster blood flow and a
Arm pump takes place when the blood flowgreater supply of oxygen to muscles, so light
entering your arms is greater than the amount ofweights, running, cycling, jogging and swimming
the blood flow out, this creates a backlog ofare all good options to increase your motocross
pressure, as well as a lot of pain. Don't worryfitness. Lifting heavy weights in small sets is
though, by making a few bike modifications andtraining your body to go all out for a short space
increasing your motocross fitness, you could beof time, rather than maintain pace, something you
getting rid of arm pump for life!definitely don't want as a motocross rider.
Luckily, there are a few ways you can try toSimple stretches and rotations for your fingers,
prevent arm pump:wrists and forearms can reduce arm pump a
Riding Regularly Although this may seem slightlygreater deal, so ditch the weights!
basic, the logic is not. By riding regularly you areBike modifications Personally I have made a few
exercising the same muscles that are causingminor modifications to my bike, all aided by trial
your forearms to pump up during motocrossand error and all have decreased my level of arm
races or practices, as well as increasing your levelpump, even though my motocross fitness has
of motocross fitness. By working these musclesstayed the same.
of a regular basis, you will be constantly buildingSeat Cover/Rad Shrouds - My bike now has a
their strength and stamina, increasing your level ofseat cover that uses a gripper material. Previously
motocross fitness and decreasing the amount ofI was using force via my arms and legs to keep
pain for you, the rider!myself stable, but I find that the seat cover
Staying relaxed Many riders do not realise thatrelieves some of that pressure. The same goes
most cases of arm pump derive from holding onfor my radiator shrouds, which have now been
to tight, rather than their level of motocrossfitted with gripper material which comes into
fitness. As you can imagine, the scenario here iscontact with my knees.
pretty basic, instead of tightening your grip, focusSuspension set up - While it's nice to blow a few
your brain into allowing you to ride with morehundred dollars buying graphics plastics and new
flow, and relieving some of the pressure fromriding gear, the best money you can spend is
your forearms. The seat time you build up heresetting up your suspension for your size and
will also increase your motocross fitness!weight. This is the key to a faster lap time and
This may seem difficult and believe me it is, asdecreased arm pump, without increasing your
holding on tight is human instinct. Many ridersmotocross fitness!
spend short sessions every time they ride literallyMy solution! I have been using a Powerball now
practicing to relax on the bike, which may soundfor around 2 years; I use it on a daily basis and
silly, but you will reap the rewards when armalso use it to as a 5 minute warm up for my
pump disappears for ever!arms before riding. Since starting the gym and
Work it out An important part of increasing yourusing the Powerball I have a lot more strength in
motocross fitness is visiting the gym every nowmy wrists as well as a lot less arm pump.
and then. One mistake many motocross ridersObviously the Powerball is not perfect, but it has
make when trying to increase their level ofdefinitely worked for me. (Don't bother with my
motocross fitness is lifting weights that are toomore expensive versions; they all work in the
heavy. When I say to heavy, I mean for whatsame way!