Posted on December 1, 2011 by John. There have been comments

Not all of us are lucky enough to live somewhere like Florida or California where seat time is something that can be enjoyed any time of year. There are plenty of racers across the country who struggle with the grueling long winter months when all of the tracks are closed and riding is just impossible. Inches of the snow on the ground, freezing temperatures, and endless wet grounds all contribute to the inability to be on your bike, which in the end really affects you when it comes time to get back on the track.

Those who have a hard time finding seat time during the winter months often think of them as a sort of break from motocross. While this is true, if you are planning on competitively racing (and having a chance) next summer, you may want to put some second thought into this mentality. Going months without being on your bike could seriously affect your performance on the track.

Cross Training

There is snow on the ground, so you obviously can't ride your dirt bike, but what's stopping you from playing another sport? One of the best ways to keep in shape when you can't be pulling the throttle in the dirt is to train using another activity.

Perhaps one of the most closely related sports that can be done in the snow is boardercross. During this sport riders are put onto a pre-formed snow track down the mountain. They then race against other riders over a series of tables, doubles, turns, and triples. Sound familiar? It is. In fact, boardercross was inspired by the entire sport of motocross. You can look on the USASA (United States of America Snowboard Association) and find some tracks and leagues near you!

If boardercross isn't a possibility, it always pays to check out any local indoor pools. Swimming helps to keep you in shape without putting any strain on your joints at all. This will help to ensure that you don't injure yourself and simply just continue to build muscle while you can't be on your bike.

Live at the Gym

Of course, just because you are unable to hit the mountains or the pool does not mean that you won't be able to work out when the temperatures hover around freezing. The gym is always an option, but it's not always the favorite of individuals. Making sure that you keep mixing up your routine so that you don't get bored is important in ensuring that you stay motivated to stay in shape, so that you are ready to beat everyone on the track come next season.

Another suggestion that professionals have is to do plyometrics. Tuck jumps, split legs, and box jumps are all exercises that help to build muscle quickly without having to add any extra weight and risk injury.

Though some people believe that winter is a time of relaxation, if you want to have the ability to be able to compete next summer, you will have to make sure that you treat this time just as you would the normal race season.