Fitness

Gore · 27 Aug 2003, 16:07 (Ref:700833)

Does anyone out there do any strength/fitness training for karting? I’ve never cared about being a ten stone weakling before, but I’ve started endurance kart racing this season and discovered that after about 25 mins in the kart (100cc two strokes) I’m getting tired to the point where I start losing time.

Obviously driving exercises all the muscles involved, but I can’t afford to spend enough time in the kart to use that as training; it’s also no help in the off season. Can anyone recommend any simple (ie. little/no equipment) exercises that will help?

Rocktracer · 27 Aug 2003, 17:45 (Ref:700929)

swimming i find is handy. Before i go i make the time to visit the gym

speedy king · 27 Aug 2003, 19:32 (Ref:701038)

I do Cycling for about 2 hours non stop, weights for my arms, long distance running, and tend to cut down on eating a week before my races.

Rocktracer · 27 Aug 2003, 20:07 (Ref:701076)

Jeepers..and your how old... Watch out Shumie!

Andy Roberts · 27 Aug 2003, 21:03 (Ref:701129)

When I was karting I used to do lots of cycling, 1-2hrs a night and tried to go swimming a couple of times a week. Do some press-ups or long arm pulls which should help.

Each plenty of high carb food before you race such as pasta, dates, figs etc...

I used to do some enduro racing as well and have in the past done 3 2hr stints back to back without problems so it does help.

marcus · 27 Aug 2003, 23:08 (Ref:701260)

wowsers , some serious guys out there

after my first event I realized I needed some more upper body strength so i did a bit of weight training to try and get some strength there.

it seemed to work , but then again it could have been from the more driving I did , but i felt thats where i needed to improve.

as for other training , no not really , jogged a little bit but it was usually just to the fridge for another beer

paulzinho · 27 Aug 2003, 23:23 (Ref:701278)

I've got the same problem as Gore, being a small frame (tall but lanky).

Thing is i'm too lazy to do anything about it. Shame sleeping doesn't build you up!

speedy king · 28 Aug 2003, 14:08 (Ref:701843)

Sleeping, i do alot of that. I'm tall and thin, but my arms and legs are muscley... though i find the more driving i do, the more fitter i feel.

speedy king · 28 Aug 2003, 14:09 (Ref:701847)

I stepped up my training from a week ago and i have gone from 10stone 10 to 10 stone 1, lost 9 pounds!

Gore · 28 Aug 2003, 14:59 (Ref:701894)

Thanks guys, if nothing else you've reassured me that I'm not the only one taking my karting this seriously

Andy Roberts--Six hours in a kart? That's impressive, I think that would quite literally kill me as I am at the moment! It would certainly bankrupt me, anyway...

Driving the kart definitely helps--I did two races in 6 days the other week, and my girlfriend's convinced my back is better built than before (apparently that's what she looks for in a man--strange how women all have their own tastes while all men look for pretty much the same thing(s)...). Unfortunately I don't get to drive as often as I'd like (ie. every day!)

The swimming and cycling sound like good ideas, although I haven't been in a pool since I managed to panic and splutter my way across the local baths for my 10 metre badge when I was ten, and I'm moving back to London soon, which doesn't mix very well with cycling...

Speedy King--what is the purpose of eating less leading up to a race? I only ask as I like to understand why things are a good idea.

Rocktracer · 28 Aug 2003, 16:15 (Ref:701963)

less chance of having the squits!! less in your belly to make you ill.

speedy king · 30 Aug 2003, 21:57 (Ref:703644)

lol, not entirely, just prevents you from building up heavy fat in you, just eat main meals, nothing imbetween and nothing too fatty either like fast food, pasta is good because it's light. It's all weight. Also avoid fatty foods on race day, it slows your reactions down.

about the stomack problems.....it dosen't help that unfortunately, on my last race i got a stomach bug in the morning

had to dash off tot he loos before free practice. not good!

superbird · 2 Sep 2003, 11:30 (Ref:705540)

Quote:

my girlfriend's convinced my back is better built than before (apparently that's what she looks for in a man--strange how women all have their own tastes while all men look for pretty much the same thing(s)...).

I look at upper arms, also comes from lots of karting

Apparently swimming with a float between your legs or water wings round your ankles so you're exercising your upper body is good. Might look a fool though

speedy king · 2 Sep 2003, 14:53 (Ref:705747)

Just karting by it's self has built me huge upper arm muscles

Rocktracer · 2 Sep 2003, 16:36 (Ref:705807)

Handy when typing things to your girlfrinds mother by mistake; when having to defending yourself....Hey Speedy..

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Driver Fitness	peteconnors	Formula One	18	4 Oct 2005 16:05
fitness again	Tiptop	Racers Forum	8	28 Sep 2004 10:08
Fitness.	Hamish Weir	National & International Single Seaters	42	27 Feb 2004 00:09
Driver Fitness	noskill	Racers Forum	24	13 Nov 2003 03:28
Fitness after an accident.	Hamish Weir	Racers Forum	5	14 Aug 2003 14:02