Do you have to have a good physique when you race karts at a high level?

Absolutely. A common idea about motorsport in general is that it’s only to give throttle, brake and turn a bit. It is actually much more than that.

In my class, we race with a six speed gearbox and change gears about 50 times per lap – that’s a lot of gear changing at one race weekend, in other words! It’s therefore important to have strong forearms, in order to keep the high tempo and good rhythm. Other muscles you have to use are biceps and the neck muscles. The heavy helmet we use makes the head want to go right in left corners and vice versa. Besides that, add the heat exposure in most of the races. Imagine sitting in a sauna with socks, gloves, balaclava, helmet, undershirt, shoes and racing suit.

Personally, I work out at group gym classes like BodyPump, Step, Zumba, and MRL which focuses on different types of work out.