I have heard that if you train using weights for a couple of months in the off-season, you can ride your bike faster during the season; but I am not sure if there is any evidence. What do you know?
2006-09-01 11:10:56 · 6 answers · asked by M-50 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Here is a website that gives you some of the training that you can do for MTB.
2006-09-01 15:41:52 · answer #1 · answered by gravityjunkies 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion it best way to gain strength for riding is just to attack hills in a reasonably hard gear, and keep your bum on the seat, and concentrate on a good pedalling technique. Also try [speeders] just drop down a gear, pedal as fast and as hard as you can before climbing up the gears. do these every so of tern and you'll soon be sprinting past your mates.
After all what else how help you ride quicker than training on bike.
Because its got be a balance between strength and weight no point in having overbuilt heavy legs also being a high cardiovascular sport.
Also good exerciser's for cycling in the gym, are rowing machine, cross-trainer,static lunges and squats
2006-09-03 00:58:39 · answer #2 · answered by Ste22 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a pro level road a mountain bike racer. I have seen studies that support both schools of thought. I lifted last off season and put on about 10lbs, but I am putting out more power this season so it is hard to say. Just make sure you do high reps. and you should be ok if you want to lift.
2006-09-01 11:49:20 · answer #3 · answered by Richey 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my personal experience i started noticing almost right away for freeride uperbody strength is a definite plus when your hucking around a 40+ pound bike, for road and cross country having strong quads and calfs is a no brainer so yes definitely weight training will make you a stronger more efficient rider in my case you break a few more parts (bikes designed for 180 pound riders tend to break when you put 230 lbs on them) hope this answered your question.
2006-09-01 11:22:48 · answer #4 · answered by D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Adding weight will force you to push harder when climbing, but it will also make your bike handle VERY poorly and may cause you to crash. You will not properly learn how your bike handles, which is very important.
If you want to work harder, shift to a harder gear! Yes, it's just that simple! But higher muscle tension doesn't do anything for your cardiovascular system or your spin. It's also is bad for your knees and your endurance won't get any better.
Strength isn't everything on a bike, and I guarantee a thin cyclist could SMOKE a bodybuilder up a climb.
2006-09-01 12:05:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They add more MASS to your leg muscles----the best BENEFICIAL exercises are SQUATS, LEG PRESSES, CALF RAISES and some JOGGING! The weights add strength, sculpture them to look buffed and adds 'CUTS' thus making them really prepared for tough climbing tasks.
2006-09-01 21:16:28 · answer #6 · answered by hummerhead2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋