Where and how to learn BMX racing and freestyle motocross? 7 tips for beginners

There is a popular belief that extreme athletes are young daredevils with nine lives, who learned everything from the street. This is only partly true – the first generations of athletes were like that.

Gradually, each subculture formed its own party, it expanded, there were those who set the vectors of development. And now what used to be just a hobby is recognized as Olympic sports. They have their own federations, methods of training processes and the system of discharges. Today you no longer have to leave home and learn from your mistakes, invent tricks, risking your health.

Where and how to learn BMX racing?

In the XXI century, the extreme industry does not think to stop at what has been achieved. But the approach to popularizing the sport has changed a lot and continues to change until now. There is more awareness, opportunities and perspectives in what used to be considered (and was) crazy.

Go to the Internet and write in a search engine: “How to learn to ride BMX”.Among the first 10 links you will definitely see an advertisement of one of the schools. Let’s go back to the beginning and find out how and where BMX racing is taught from a very young age.

BMX racing is definitely a very extreme sport. Technical elements are performed at high speed, overcoming large jumps and making jumps. At the same time you compete with other rivals in a tactical battle. And also all this happens for only 30-40 seconds. Adrenaline, extreme and speed.

From the age of three, a child can be brought to start on a treadmill. This is good for both general development and preparation for full BMX. Some people bring even at the age of two. And for full-fledged classes in a bicycle school can come from the age of five.

Training begins with equipment – selection of a bicycle, helmet and protection. Then, if the child is not very good at riding, he will be taught just that. A VMX bike is different from a regular bike because of its small size. It has different wheels, you can change the position of the handlebars and the seat. It is important to be able to ride a BMX while standing.

The athlete learns the basic movements and knowledge at a bicycle school. Only after that the athlete is sent to the track, where they teach technical elements and tactics, preparing for competitions.

Since VMX racing is an Olympic sport since 2008, with desire, discipline and motivation, everything can grow from a child’s hobby into a real career. With subsequent medals of high rank: world or European championships and even the Olympics.

You don’t need to be superhuman to do BMX. The main thing is not to be afraid of falling, to have fire in your eyes, desire to try and the character of a fighter.

Natalia Suvorova

Where and how to learn freestyle motocross?

There are many different disciplines in the extreme world. They can be divided into different subspecies and categories. Some are related to each other: if you master, for example, skateboard, it will be much easier to stand on a snowboard, longboard or surf. Others, despite the external similarities, will have radical differences (mostly concerns motorized types). One of the most difficult is considered freestyle motocross. This is where it is definitely not worth trying to master everything yourself. It is better to go straight to school.

Professional freestyle motocross rider, founder of FMX 13 team, athlete of Athletes Club agency.

Freestyle motocross is big beautiful jumps on cross bikes from specially built ramps to specially built landings. While the athletes are in the air (1.5-2 seconds), they perform various tricks and combinations of rotations with the motorcycle.

The discipline came from motocross in the late 1990s, when motocross athletes in America got tired of the usual riding standards. They began to ride on natural terrain and built their own jumps, first out of earth and then out of metal.

You should start practicing with professionals – it will shorten the way to the goal and protect you from unnecessary problems and injuries.

Alexei Kolesnikov

I would not advise you to do things on your own in any sport.

You always need the help of professionals: more advanced athletes or coaches. The most correct thing is to turn to guys who already have experience. They will tell and show you how to build springboards properly, what is different, how to prepare the bike. All this is very important for our discipline. It is always better to develop and move together with the experts.

You can start from any age (within reason, of course). The main thing is to have cross experience of riding a motorcycle, so that you can confidently control it, stop in time if necessary and calmly open the throttle. In this case, you can smoothly move to the ramps and try your skills there. As for statistics, the average is 14-15 years old. Then they ride in the 125 class (on big bikes, but with small engine displacement).

We’ve had 10-year-olds and even younger guys at our [motocross training] camp. They were jumping on “fifty’s” (kids’ bikes) with small ramp spacing, trying tricks.

Everything is superindividual. But from 14-15 years old you can already take part in performances.

You should learn freestyle motocross in Russia from those who were at the origins of the discipline. For example, our FMX 13 team. Together with MOTUL and Red Bull we have been holding training camps for the last few years, where we give detailed answers to all questions. Our technician – former pro-rider Kirill Gavrilov – tells how to prepare the bike and maintain it properly, what peculiarities exist, how to prepare the suspension and what gear to jump in.

There are also trainings on general physical preparation and preparation for serious competitions. In the camp we give maximum information, despite the fact that it is held in 3-5 days.

In addition to us, FMX 13 team, there are also Feroz, Mad Men and Meteor.

I believe, regardless of the regional location, you can always find people with experience. At the very least you can write to them on social networks. I am sure that no one will refuse advice and help.

Alexei Kolesnikov

How to decide what kind of sport?

Extreme is first of all pleasure. You should feel as comfortable as possible while practicing. You need to be brave and be mentally “here and now”. Otherwise, it can lead to unpleasant consequences. It is better to spend a little more time and understand exactly what you want to do.

Aleskei Kolesnikov

How to choose a school?

• Do not focus on proximity to your home – this is far from the main criterion.
• Visit the sports and mass events that the school organizes. This way you will see if everything suits you.
• Research information about the coaching staff.
• Try to gather opinions about the school within the community of the sport you want to play. Athletes will give you honest feedback on where to go and where not to go.
• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, you’ll always have the option to change schools.
• Come to a tryout.
• Decide for yourself if it’s the right fit for you.