Jas0nn

Anyone else get a sore neck after a weekend at the track? It troubled me a bit the past season - I always tossed it up to the Gs, time in car (lots of 1.5 hour enduro stints), and helmet weight - but its especially bad this week after my first day of the season.

I definitely know I'm out of shape - wondering If there are any exercises or even stretches that others have found helpful ...

Nizer

Not since I sold the shifter kart.

Exercises:
http://www.racerxvt.com/article/stick-your-neck-out

ProCoach

I recommend you call or email Jim Leo at PitFit in Indy or Simon Hayes at Performance Physixx.

http://watchfit.com/exercise/race-car-driver-fitness-training/

CosmosMpower

Nope but the most time I have spent in a car without a break is about 1.5 hour in SPB for WRL, not exactly a car that generates huge cornering force.

Maybe get a lighter CF helmet?

Matt Romanowski

Look at the Pit Fit and Formula Medicine Instagram pages and you'll see what they are doing for neck strength. Most involve the Iron Neck http://www.iron-neck.com/the-iron-neck.html or something similar. You can do pretty well with resistance bands too.

ProCoach

I bought a neck harness with exercise bands about twenty years ago from the Human Performance Institute in NC, works well and same as what some like Simon are using now.

johneecatt

I don't have neck issues with driving. But when instructing, I frequently do - especially students in turbo cars! Sometimes at the end of the day in a late model turbo, I can barely hold my head up!

911racer

+1. Especially early in the season. It seems that it is not being able to anticipate the g-forces as well that causes my issues.

Thanks

Ed

ProCoach

Turn 9, Roebling Road. Turn 16-17-18, COTA. Turn 6, Sonoma. Lots of good exercise!

Bill Lehman

I use Isometric neck exercises. No equipment required. http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercis...-hands-on-head

38D

In addition to fitness, a lighter helmet helps too

Difool

Second the isometric exercises. Simple is sometimes good

Also general fitness and core exercises help more than you can know. If you aren't using your shoulders and arms well, or are reacting badly to stress, you can become pulled down through the head and neck, which can affect more than just neck soreness.

pontifex4

Even with my carbon FIA Stand21, I find that the morning after the first night of a track weekend, I have a very stiff neck. I attribute this at least partly to the bad habit of tensing up while in the car, and it's something I would like to work on.

HoBoJoe

Are you using a halo seat?

needmoregarage

While recovering this past year from being in a car that was rear-ended by a pick up truck - part of my P.T. involved neck exercises.

It was mostly isometric as shown in the link Bill provides ^.

For the side and front strength I did as shown.

For strength in back of the neck I simply stood up straight against a wall, and used the wall as resistance.
They also suggested I tuck my chin in, as if trying to keep my head level - but push back against my neck (nothing behind me - just using my own muscles).

If you do general body conditioning link planks - you'll exercise neck muscles as well. Isometric works quite well. My neck went from being sore 24/7 to being able to wear a helmet without too much soreness at the end of the day. Also just wearing the helmet around the house (in the beginning) helped build muscles.

You can also try placing a ball under your chin and bearing down - but make sure you strengthen ALL the muscles - not just one direction (don't want imbalance).

Start gently. You'll be surprised at how sore you can get doing isometrics. It may not feel like much at first but if you over-do you'll set yourself back. Best to build up slowly and add more as you feel progress.