How to Use Video Analysis to Get the Most Out of Your SymmFit Clothes

Jennifer Symms
May 21
4 min read

Updated: May 22

So many riders complain about how they look in a photo from a show or a video from a lesson.

“Why am I leaning like that?”

“I thought my hands were still!”

“Ugh, I look awful in that position.”

But most of the time, that’s where it ends- just a cringe, maybe a laugh, and then we scroll past it. What we forget is that these photos and videos are actually one of the most powerful tools we have for improving how we ride.

That’s where SymmFit comes in.

Using SymmFit rider biomechanic clothes to help see your position in the saddle from all angles — The SymmFit clothes make it easy to see the rider posture from all angles.

When we started using video in rider physio sessions- both on the simulator and in the arena- riders wearing SymmFit they didn’t need us to point out what was wrong. The posture lines, the contrast panels, the logo- they showed it all. Suddenly, riders could see how their own body was affecting their position and their horse on their own. And that changed everything.

In this post, we’ll talk about how to use video + your SymmFit clothing as a super simple but incredibly effective way to improve your posture, balance, and confidence in the saddle.

Let’s Be Honest: We Focus a Lot on the Horse

It’s completely normal- we care deeply about our horses. So our brains naturally go to “is the horse going forward?” or “are they soft enough, round enough, working correctly?” But we don’t always stop to ask:

What’s my body doing to help or hinder that?

Riding is a two-way conversation, and video helps us see the rider’s side of it. It shows you how your seat, hands, shoulders, or pelvis are influencing your horse’s way of going. Once you see it, you can change it- and often, the horse responds immediately. Read here about how your body position affects your riding.

Why Aren’t More Riders Using Video Analysis?

In other sports like golf, tennis, gymnastics, and athletics, video analysis is just part of how athletes train. It helps them:

Break down technique
Spot imbalances
Learn new skills faster

There’s research to back this up, too. A 2013 review in Frontiers in Psychology found that visual feedback, especially when combined with clear movement cues, significantly improves postural control and accuracy during skill learning. That’s exactly what riders need- especially when learning or trying to change deeply ingrained habits.

So why don’t we use it more in riding? Honestly, sometimes it’s just discomfort. No one loves seeing themselves on camera. But once you move past that, the benefits are huge.

How SymmFit Makes It Even More Useful

One of the best things about SymmFit is that it gives you external visual cues. That’s a fancy way of saying: it helps you see what your body is doing without needing to feel every tiny adjustment.

The contrast lines and logo give you clear reference points. You don’t have to wonder if your pelvis is straight- you can see if the line down your back is centred. You don’t have to imagine your shoulders being level- you can check the logo on your chest is square to the front.

Looking at rider alignment and position with the SymmFit rider biomechanics clothes — Looking at rider position, straightness and alignment from behind

And this kind of feedback works. Research in motor learning (Wulf, 2007; Lohse et al., 2012) shows that athletes respond better to external cues (like lines or targets) than internal ones (like "engage your glutes" or "lengthen your spine"). You're more likely to make meaningful, lasting changes when you're focusing on what the body is doing in space- not what’s going on inside it.

How to Start Using Video with Your SymmFit

You don’t need expensive kit. Here’s how to get started:

Grab your phone and a tripod (or get a friend to film)
Wear your SymmFit top or jodhpurs for clear visual feedback
Film a few short clips—transitions, polework, jumping, sitting trot etc—whatever you’re working on from different angles.

Using SymmFit rider biomechanics clothes to assess alignment and balance from the side — Looking at the riders position from side on - giving information about their alignment and balance.

Then watch it back and ask yourself:

Is my SymmFit logo facing forward, or has my torso rotated?
Is the back line centred, and are the lines all vertical/horizonal or have I collapsed to one side?
Are my shoulders rounded leading to hands which bounce?
Am I aligned, or tipping forward/backward?

These are simple questions, but they reveal so much- and the answers help you take real action.

What You’ll Notice Over Time

When you start reviewing video regularly (and especially when wearing SymmFit), here’s what tends to happen:

You become more aware of your position- during and after the ride
You stop second-guessing your coach’s feedback because it makes more sense visually
You begin correcting small imbalances before they turn into big issues
You feel more confident, more in control- and your horse often works better too

You’re literally training your brain and body to become more coordinated and more consistent in the saddle.

Here’s the Bottom Line

If you’ve got a SymmFit top or jods and a smartphone, you already have everything you need to start improving your riding- right now.

✅ Your SymmFit clothing gives you instant, visible feedback on your position

✅ A quick video lets you see what’s really going on- not just guess

✅ And a little time reviewing your ride helps you learn faster, ride better, and feel more confident

So instead of dreading that next show photo or cringing at the next lesson video- use it. It’s not just a snapshot. It’s a training tool.

Set up the tripod. Pop on your SymmFit. Watch it back. Learn from it. And if you need help interpreting what you see? We’re always here to support you.