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!
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.
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.
Great points to avoid getting older! I think you are the only person on TH-cam that has mentioned these differences between being young and getting older.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Приятель, ты красавчик! Объяснил самую суть! Спасибо тебе огромное, теперь понятно в чем была причина неверных попыток, теперь буду делать всё правильно 🤜🏼🤛🏼
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
Coach David, would you recommend wearing a strip-on shoulder blade fixation (the ones that correct your shoulder posture) while training manual on bike? I wear them on a daily basis off the bike. What you demonstrate resembles a lot how it's like when wearing one. Will it help? Thanks! Your contents' awesome for older riders!
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
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.
Hey mate..i have now emtb giant reign e+ 2023 (160mm front fork) The bike is 26kg. I can do manual? Very heavy..,i now very good the tecnic of manual...but feel heavy. I make a 60% from the balanc point. Thanks guy 38, 80kg.
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???
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!
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
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.
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!
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!
Not sufficient Technique, yes. Not sufficient physical capabilities… 😆. 52 … Have held multiple occupations and training including physical science background. Strength coach, Roofing contractor, Rock & ice climbing guide and instructor, auto technician, industrial mechanical technician at a brewery. Kettle bell instruction and competition ( Snatch). Powerlifting and recently some training in Olympic lifting. I believe you are underestimating a higher percentage of older athletes. There are more of us than you think. Can you overhead squat to rock bottom? With 80-100% body weight? With manuals I usually easily push through- loop out. Hit the brake, tone down a little and start working on maintaining balance. Still lack technical skill.
You’re definitely in the minority for sure. Some riding communities are ultra fit. Others not so much. 95 percent of the riders I coach are unfit. 5 percent I coach I use the same approach but they layer it on more quickly because their body isn’t trash. Either way I have a ton of demand ;)
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
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
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.
@@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.
@@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
@@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
![The 5 Unexpected MTB Techniques To Rocket Through Rock Gardens CRITICAL [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wyX8Acfjau8/mqdefault.jpg)
![The 5 Unexpected MTB Techniques To Rocket Through Rock Gardens CRITICAL [4K]](/img/tr.png)
![It’s Embarrassing, But These 3 “Reverse” Drills Guarantee ENDLESS Manuals [ACTUALLY URGENT]](/img/n.gif)
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!
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.
Try clipping in in heels and I’ll send you a handwrittten congratulations
@@mountainbikeacademy if I get to that point, I'll definitely have to make a video ☠
Dollar Bills. Don't you know about inflation? Demand tenners.
@@GoatRidesBikes be gentle. I'm still an apprentice 😜
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.
You’re LIVING
Good work 🙌❤️
Tryna, anyway!! My bicycles are my therapy.
Great points to avoid getting older! I think you are the only person on TH-cam that has mentioned these differences between being young and getting older.
It's kind of my specialty lol
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.
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.
My kids are juuuust younger than yours, super!
This is interesting!
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.
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!
Nailed it. It's important to pay attention to what your feet are doing
for surrre
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 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.
Fantastic- 55 and freestylin!
Приятель, ты красавчик! Объяснил самую суть! Спасибо тебе огромное, теперь понятно в чем была причина неверных попыток, теперь буду делать всё правильно 🤜🏼🤛🏼
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
Welcome :)
I'm 58, riding for 30 years, never learned to Manual. I'm going to learn to Manual to prove you wrong. ;-)
lol. I believe you can do it! Hopefully this helps. Got lots of riders I coach following this approach and it works for them ✊🏻
Excellent info David! BTW the shirt off stuff shows the muscles involved. Don’t listen the haters in the comments Brotha!🤟🏼
Haha I am actually shocked at how little hate I get. I have thick skin so I’m all good. Appreciate you.
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.
Yes, this is why I made the video! Props!
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.
I agree actually
Any exampels on this?
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.
Keep at it
Feels v different imo
Too danm right sir. Best manual tutorial...
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.
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!
Manuals are a good one, but there's lots of fun to be had not manualling too. You got this, keep having fun!
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.
This is great stuff...wish you'd do one on a BMX manual. I'm guessing it's different due to having no suspension? I'll keep an eye out for it!
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
Suspension is the big one - wheel size still makes it feel weird though from BMX for sure.
Coach David, would you recommend wearing a strip-on shoulder blade fixation (the ones that correct your shoulder posture) while training manual on bike? I wear them on a daily basis off the bike. What you demonstrate resembles a lot how it's like when wearing one. Will it help? Thanks! Your contents' awesome for older riders!
No. I don't like external "forced" posture. Way better to remind or train the body.
@@mountainbikeacademy Gotcha!
great vid! defs inspires me to go and practice manualling :D
Go for it!
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
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.
Work on your fitness and your balance off the bike! It should help!
Hey mate..i have now emtb giant reign e+ 2023 (160mm front fork)
The bike is 26kg.
I can do manual? Very heavy..,i now very good the tecnic of manual...but feel heavy. I make a 60% from the balanc point.
Thanks guy 38, 80kg.
Thank you
You're welcome! Got more coming too :)
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...😅)
Won’t hurt I promise lol kidding
Honestly I don’t say this much but maybe try a manual machine? See how it feels
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???
Loop out on purpose, helped me a ton getting over that oh s@#t feeling
Thank you, ok, i'll try it...😱
Did the exercise… thighs were burning? Is that right, am I meant to feel it in the thighs?
Yes lol
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!
Yeah you're spot on
am 48 and been riding since I was 5 and never learned the manual.
Lots of ppl don't prioritize it :) all good. You must love riding!!!! 4 deckies
mastering first the wheelie about 2years then after that manual will next and very easy...
True that!
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?
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
How hard will it be to learn on a 55lb eMtb?
Better question is how good is your access to the right inputs to achieve your goal
Im only 43 :). I haven't spent my life behind a desk. Lets hope I can prove your wrong.
If you’re body is trained up you will prove to yourself you can do it! Good luck I believe in ya :)
Subscribbed👌
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!
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.
lol. Could be a number of things. Join my coaching group and get my help directly there.
If 13 years old kids weighting 100# socking wet and riding over weight bike can do it...any one can do
That’s my logic for many things
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. :(
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!
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!
One step further than the horse stance is the Cossack Squat…..
Plus it’s sexy
Not sufficient Technique, yes. Not sufficient physical capabilities… 😆. 52 … Have held multiple occupations and training including physical science background. Strength coach, Roofing contractor, Rock & ice climbing guide and instructor, auto technician, industrial mechanical technician at a brewery. Kettle bell instruction and competition ( Snatch). Powerlifting and recently some training in Olympic lifting.
I believe you are underestimating a higher percentage of older athletes. There are more of us than you think.
Can you overhead squat to rock bottom? With 80-100% body weight?
With manuals I usually easily push through- loop out. Hit the brake, tone down a little and start working on maintaining balance. Still lack technical skill.
You’re definitely in the minority for sure. Some riding communities are ultra fit. Others not so much.
95 percent of the riders I coach are unfit. 5 percent I coach I use the same approach but they layer it on more quickly because their body isn’t trash. Either way I have a ton of demand ;)
I started mountain biking at forty. I did no physical training. I can manual. Go figure
What's your advice?
Nice! Sometimes it goes that way.
@@trotro80 Ride with better riders than yourself and practice. That's all I did 😜
Surround yourself with better riders is fantastic advice. Even one step further, find the best riders you can put around yourself.
I don’t think it was necessary to take your shirt off lol
Wife told me this yesterday, funny
Eh, you never think of those things in the moment hah
if you looked like that, wouldn't you? lol
@@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!
No, but you loved it. 😘
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
I do too maybe it’s easier that way
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
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
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????
@@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.
@@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
@@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