[Jules]

Dear All,

Some of you know me as a recreational karter who tries to do some races from time to time around our Malaysian racing circles.

Whilst I have no serious issues in other areas...thanks to regular gym and exercise rountine ( cardio mainly ) all cos of karting.......I am shameful to say I have some issue on keeping my head upright towards the end of the day during high G corners.

I have asked some people, John King included but I want to ask you all this - apart from driving to get the neck conditioned, what other specific exercise, gym work or anything do you do to make sure your neck holds itself on a kart? ( on medium compound tyres and above )

I can assure, I am pretty desperate now cos the heart is willing but the body is not listening! ( I m in my 40s...sigh! )

THANKS for sharing your neck training regime!

[Mikko Nassi]

The neck is interesting - some drivers never have a problem and others seem to struggle with it a lot. I've driven enough first on harder compound tyres then softer so I've never really had any issues.

I have had an old helmet that I strapped some light weights to and did exercises with - lie sideways on your bed with your head over the edge and just lift your head up and then level with the ground and repeat. Then turn around and do it on the other side. Should be stressed that it's probably best to do with no weights - even without a helmet at first to see how you get a long.

I'll get in touch with Roman Engel the guy that does fitness training for the Formula BMW guys and others - hopefully we can put together an affordable karting fitness clinic in Malaysia for anyone interested.

[Jules]

Thanks Mikko,

I have been told of the helmet/weight solution but wonder what's the weight you are doing it with and what repetition to you do? I am mindful that you do lot more driving than me tho.......so the condition is also from that!

In regards to Roman, yes - I am sure there will be keen participants from those who race in the RMC to do this. They should be, as such training should be part and parcel of being a competitive driver in the motosports world!

Subject to his asking price and training details ( in the likes that it dun kill me! ), I could be keen to....

Keep us posted.

[Mikko Nassi]

I have been told of the helmet/weight solution but wonder what's the weight you are doing it with and what repetition to you do?

Best to start with no helmet and see how long you can go until you start feeling something. Do at least ~30 repetitions and see how that feels.. you shouldn't be moving your neck much, just between parallel and then raise it to where it still feels comfortable.

Definitely not a good idea to start right away with a weighted helmet - it is your neck and you don't want to take any risks . Just your helmet should be fairly safe though. I have a crappy no brand helmet that I've used, and the most extra weight I've added to that was 0.5kg and the bolts to hold them there .

I'm no pro though so don't blame me for any broken necks.

[RocK]

i use to put about 20 (women) magazine on my head when i do my neck exercises.

anyway, which track is a neck killer?

[Dass19]

a recommendation from Roman last time was to use the exercise ball and have someone push it against your head gently while you put some resistance against it.. then to push the ball while the other person puts slight resistance... most important thing about exercising the neck is definitely to not stress it out too much at once..

[TJ Koyen]

I had the same problem and Mikko is right. I would lay on my bed on my side first with my head hanging over the edge and do neck curls like that. I never used weight but I would do around 200 reps on each side and then I'd lay on my back and bring my head up with my chin to my chest for around 75-100 reps. I found that its actually really easy to build muscle this way. I did this for a couple months and haven't had a tired neck since.

[Jules]

Thanks all for suggest.....

Mikko, yeah its my neck and I am already a PAIN IN THE NECK to some!

[Mikko Nassi]

Thanks to this thread I tried some neck exercises the other day (lying sideways on the bed, lifting up and then down to parallel with the ground), and 20-30 reps each time was a good amount with an un-weighted helmet on.

Doing any exercises that work your shoulders should help with keeping your neck up straight as well .

[karter4203]

Just racing should get your neck in shape pretty quick. Unless you go long periods between races, than ya, a little neck exercising wouldn't hurt. Make sure to rotate your neck slowly though before doing any exercises to help loosen it up.

[Jules]

Just racing should get your neck in shape pretty quick. Unless you go long periods between races, than ya, a little neck exercising wouldn't hurt. Make sure to rotate your neck slowly though before doing any exercises to help loosen it up.

Racing ( & track time ) cost $$$ and besides, I believe in being fit to drive, not drive to be fit.

Having a routine exercise outside karting is vital - for those who are serious enough, just like in any motorsports.

[guyermer]

Another good way to work your neck muscles is to use the large "work out" elastic bands that are very popular these days.
You can attach a loop around a secure point then push against it with your head.
The advantage of this is you wont stress or damage your neck. You can slowly build up the resistance at a comfortable pace and its very cheap to buy.
The weighted helmet has the potential for you to strain your neck muscles if you add to much weight at the start.
The added advantage of the elastic exercise cord is you can do other exercises with it. I use it to exercise my forearms because i suffer from arm pump while driving.

[angelababy]

Then turn around and do it on the other side. Should be stressed that it's probably best to do with no weights - even without a helmet at first to see how you get a long. push it against your head gently while you put some resistance against it.

[athurart09]

a recommendation from Roman last time was to use the exercise ball and have someone push it against your head gently while you put some resistance against it.. then to push the ball while the other person puts slight resistance... most important thing about exercising the neck is definitely to not stress it out too much at once..

Thank you for the information.

[angelababy]

Thank for your information.all of you