Ever heard other "influencers" tell you you can do it? I'm tired of all the fake positivity. Fact is, if you're 40+, you *can* do a manual, but it will be nearly impossible if you don't focus on building your mind-muscle connection especially in the core. Watch the whole video!

@sapinva

Ай бұрын

Your hanging off a rail tip helped me a lot. I had strength and speed to spare, but weirdly lacked the flexibility to feel relaxed in that position (too much desk time, being 40+++, years of catastrophic injuries?). It's telling that my core still tends to give out first during long practice sessions. I would have thought that daily ma bu, kicking over 6' high on the heavy bag would have prepared me, but I guess every position is different and all it takes is one weak link in the chain.

I just watched until he said to find a pole. Now my underwear is full of dollar bills, I've changed my name to Cinnamon, and I've developed a penchant for platform heels. I'm not sure about the MTB coaching, but that advice definitely changed my life.

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

Try clipping in in heels and I’ll send you a handwrittten congratulations

@_drawkward_

2 ай бұрын

@@mountainbikeacademy if I get to that point, I'll definitely have to make a video ☠

@GoatRidesBikes

2 ай бұрын

Dollar Bills. Don't you know about inflation? Demand tenners.

@_drawkward_

2 ай бұрын

@@GoatRidesBikes be gentle. I'm still an apprentice 😜

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

Chris king hubs for hip gyrations

Pfft! There is one thing that holds some folks back, their own mind! I am 61, have been dirtin' for 5 decades. At this point, I have been through heart surgery and most recently, cancer treatment. Cancer treatment cost me the better part of 40% of my muscle mass. That stuff aside... I still roll mannys and also ride a trials comp bike for shits n grins, a stock trials bike, to be precise. Manuals are one of my drugs of choice!! They are euphoric... Carry on.

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

You’re LIVING Good work 🙌❤️

@Sunspot-19

2 ай бұрын

Tryna, anyway!! My bicycles are my therapy.

I learned to manual at 50. Don't get me wrong, it took a ton of practice and I still struggle at times, but I can generally manual for a good 100 feet. I do agree that getting the front wheel up is the trickiest part for me.

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

Nice! If you already know how, the horse stance hold will be a good indicator for you - if it’s easy, working on slow eccentric step downs and scapula mobility will do more benefit for you. Good work!

Decided to get good at manuals when I was 48, I practiced every day twice a day for 10-15 minutes. It was about the same time I started daily push-ps and then got into burpees. I got pretty good at long manuals but it's only now you said it I realise the 2 exercises complemented each other. Turning 53 this year and a good manual still feels awesome.

@Cardnim

Ай бұрын

I just turned 47, and absolutely loved mountain biking in my teens & twenties, but then life... and I stopped for 20 years. Im back on the bike now because of my 9 year old son who wants to ride with his dad. I havent been able to get manuals or proper bunny hops now, and I used to be able to do them... its so discouraging. But your message (and this excellent video) has given me hope that I might still be able to do it. Thanks for sharing your story. Safe travels to you my friend.

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

My kids are juuuust younger than yours, super!

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

This is interesting!

I like your video. Easy on seniors. Also good to know there are some people in their fifty's and sixty's working on manual and stuff. Thanks.

Great points to avoid getting older! I think you are the only person on KZread that has mentioned these differences between being young and getting older.

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

It's kind of my specialty lol

great vid! defs inspires me to go and practice manualling :D

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

Go for it!

GREAT video! I had just added horse stances to my routine, and to I genuinely have been trying to work on wheelies and manuals to improve my balance and athleticism. I turn 55 this month.

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

Fantastic- 55 and freestylin!

Nailed it. It's important to pay attention to what your feet are doing

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

for surrre

interesting. I'll give the horse stance a try, why not. I gave up on manuals a while ago to learn the feeling of hanging off the bike by practicing wheelies. I know that feeling now (a bit better), so I'll give manuals another try. Thnx

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

Welcome :)

Thank you for the pushing with ur legs tip!!! I always just tried shifting the weight back and hanging off the back like all the other videos said, but I couldn’t get the front to come up.

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

Yes, this is why I made the video! Props!

Excellent info David! BTW the shirt off stuff shows the muscles involved. Don’t listen the haters in the comments Brotha!🤟🏼

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

Haha I am actually shocked at how little hate I get. I have thick skin so I’m all good. Appreciate you.

Thank you

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

You're welcome! Got more coming too :)

Horse stance is cool, but most peoples legs will fail long before their core gets a good workout. If you want Deep core activation there are so many better options from pilates and yoga. Honestly even breathing exercises or postural stuff that can be done while you're walking around or riding the bike.

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

I agree actually

I'm 58, riding for 30 years, never learned to Manual. I'm going to learn to Manual to prove you wrong. ;-)

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

lol. I believe you can do it! Hopefully this helps. Got lots of riders I coach following this approach and it works for them ✊🏻

I’m 53 I ride year round in Montana manuals are cool, but only necessary for a very short durations. If you can manual off a drop when necessary, that’s all that matters unless you just want to show off to your buddies which is cool too.

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

I think I tend to agree with ya here. It's a very good skill that gets me about 25X more views than other skills haha Literally 3000 views vs 80,000 so 26.6

I am a month from 62 and cannot manual. I tried a few times two years ago in my front yard and it felt very un-natural and un-realistic. That being said I enjoy riding technical terrain and I feel that I am still improving as a rider. I started riding in 2008 as a 46 year old. I need to master these manual techniques! Thanks!

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

Manuals are a good one, but there's lots of fun to be had not manualling too. You got this, keep having fun!

@jamesleonard8374

Ай бұрын

For sure! Traversing east coast rock gardens, technical terrain, and chunky downhills are a blast. I still enjoy a good flow trail, but not as compelling as a technical trail.

I turn 50 this year, but I grew up racing BMX. I can manual my BMX bikes long distances. I do feather the brakes to help with balance some. My BMX bikes still run rim brakes. On my MTB or even my DJ with disc brakes I haven't learned the right amount of touch. As soon as I touch the brake lever it pulls my tire to the ground. I don't have any issues doing manuals over doubles or jumps though.

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

Keep at it Feels v different imo

Im mid 20s, could manual as long as I wanted when I rode bmx a few years back. Hop up and down ledges and mantain balance, 180 out etc. I got into mtb 2 years ago and still havent figured it out !! Different bike, wheels size, adding suspension to the picture changes alot

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

Suspension is the big one - wheel size still makes it feel weird though from BMX for sure.

Ok, I am aged 56 and pulled many wheelies on my 10 speed when I was a kid. Could go for ages. So now with a trek powerfly 4 gen 4 it hardtail it just feels so front heavy. Then I pull it up and the motor kicks in and sends me backwards. Can you manual in turbo, mtb, tour and eco mode. Or do you stop pedaling ? Learning skills later on in life dosent come easy

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

Different animal for sure !

I used to be able to ride a wheelie almost indefinitely, but now in my 60’s, I can’t seem to do it anymore. It’s frustrating. I’ve never been able to manual. I think I’ve become more cautious, which makes it harder to do this stuff.

@mountainbikeacademy

17 күн бұрын

Work on your fitness and your balance off the bike! It should help!

I'd love to see that horse stance from the side. It seems like the position is "get your ass below your knees." Would you say that's accurate? I think this camera angle makes it look much different than the way it's executed in reality. I'd love to see how leaned forward you are, too. Could you show us that side angle? Or maybe you've done a video with that side-on shot already and I missed it. If so, let me know! Thanks! I've added training a few variations of planks every day and I think it's made a difference already. I'd love to add this horse stance, too. Thanks!

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

Yeah you're spot on

Did the exercise… thighs were burning? Is that right, am I meant to feel it in the thighs?

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

Yes lol

I am 59 and my problem is the fear to fall back and hurt my butt... (sorry for this bad english, i am a german...😅)

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

Won’t hurt I promise lol kidding

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

Honestly I don’t say this much but maybe try a manual machine? See how it feels

@martinglotz2697

Ай бұрын

Thank you for your advice. I have build my own manual mashine and if i use this i can do a manuel. If i try it in motion than the fear comes...😫. By using the manual mashine i can grab my rearbrake in the right moment but in motion my indexfinger dont work. I dont know why? The same problem happens by trying a wheeli... WhatsApp can i do???

@TMackey287

Ай бұрын

Loop out on purpose, helped me a ton getting over that oh s@#t feeling

@martinglotz2697

Ай бұрын

Thank you, ok, i'll try it...😱

So I tried your Horse Stance exercise and was able to hold 15s. I'm 49yo. Now what? How to get to at least 1 min?

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

That and you can play with a wider stance and holding a broomstick on thighs while standing torso up It’s an infinite exercise as in you can do it for years and find tiny things to improve on

mastering first the wheelie about 2years then after that manual will next and very easy...

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

True that!

How hard will it be to learn on a 55lb eMtb?

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

Better question is how good is your access to the right inputs to achieve your goal

am 48 and been riding since I was 5 and never learned the manual.

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

Lots of ppl don't prioritize it :) all good. You must love riding!!!! 4 deckies

I am learning manuals, I learned looping out, But i can't hold manuals, Ever time I preform manuals i loop out. And i can't HOLD manuals. Help me!

@philip7486

2 ай бұрын

You have the opposite problem to most folks! Looping out is terrific practice, and simply means you’re going past your center of balance. There are a few factors that may be at play but I’d put my money on one - Speed, are you going to slow? That can make manualing extremely difficult but feel like less of a consequence if you loop out. So slowly increase your speed until you can loop out and run without hurting yourself. If you do this you might start feeling the point right before you loop out. That’s where you want to be. Then it’s a matter of just sliding your hips forward or back depending on looping out or dropping the front wheel. The slide he talks about.

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

lol. Could be a number of things. Join my coaching group and get my help directly there.

Im only 43 :). I haven't spent my life behind a desk. Lets hope I can prove your wrong.

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

If you’re body is trained up you will prove to yourself you can do it! Good luck I believe in ya :)

If 13 years old kids weighting 100# socking wet and riding over weight bike can do it...any one can do

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

That’s my logic for many things

I started mountain biking at forty. I did no physical training. I can manual. Go figure

@trotro80

2 ай бұрын

What's your advice?

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

Nice! Sometimes it goes that way.

@parkinkevin

Ай бұрын

@@trotro80 Ride with better riders than yourself and practice. That's all I did 😜

But I did so much excersizing when I was in my 20s, 30s, 40s..... and you're saying I got to do more now that I'm in my 60s? Ok, if you say so. :(

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

Honestly it will still pay off bc your body remembers. Also it looks totally different in your 60s but you can still spank some young kids at the trails!

@schwangster

2 ай бұрын

Thanks. Mountain biking has been my life sport since skiing got too expensive. So yes, I’ll add those horse moves into the routine thanks for the info and the excellent channel!

Hmm I'm 40 and I can manual. I don't remove the shirt anymore tho, I'm married 😂 looking at your video I definitely hinge way less when I manual I stand way upright 🧐 idk why that is

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

I do too maybe it’s easier that way

I don’t think it was necessary to take your shirt off lol

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

Wife told me this yesterday, funny

@bauer100

2 ай бұрын

Eh, you never think of those things in the moment hah

@davefellows

Ай бұрын

if you looked like that, wouldn't you? lol

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

@@davefellowsha I have some friends that are actual fitness pros and I look like a teenager standing next to men thanks for the compliment tho!

@energ8t

Ай бұрын

No, but you loved it. 😘

I know you speak confidently and all, but the whole "your TA is super important" thing has been pretty thoroughly debunked. Doesn't hurt to train it, but training it doesn't bring miracles like people claimed

@mountainbikeacademy

Ай бұрын

I'll stick to my day job of taking my kids to school seriously though yeah your're right...plus there is no one, or three, or 5 miracles. It's super dependent on what each riders specific constraint is to success.

I am almost 43 and learn around 39ish and now can manual for days

@mountainbikeacademy

2 ай бұрын

Literally everyone thinks this is about age It’s about physiology and how to use it to your advantage :) And aren’t manuals so awesome????

@concrerto

2 ай бұрын

@@mountainbikeacademy it took a long time with ups and downs but to be able to just drop back into position and hold it feels like one of the greatest feelings ever.

@Cartsp70

2 ай бұрын

@@concrerto I can get to the balance point easily but I find it almost impossible to stay there I’ve pracpracticed for hours and my longest manual is about 0.5 seconds 😢! I literally get so angry I just give up and throw my bike on the floor 😂( ORBEA Rise m10) maybe it’s the bikes fault?😂 or me lol

@concrerto

Ай бұрын

@@Cartsp70 keep practicing. I had to find that certain way that worked… first I focused on dropping my hips. Then it was keeping my heels down. Then had to learn moving my hips back and forth to balance. It takes a while. Standing wheelies would help me feel the balance and I would eventually start coasting from a standing wheelie. It helped me learn to hold that balance point. Now my new goal is technical manuals on trail. Like Jeff Kendal Weed. Keep practicing. It’s worth it