weight training

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by nitrogenmustard
i know the seasons just around the corner i'll be racing at least 2wice a week. is it ok to weight train up into the season, if so, how far through. My rides are usually between 1-2.5 hours, leaving plenty of time for lifting. Will lifting make me better or just put undue strain on my body?

assuming that you mean you do some form of endurance cycle racing (e.g., road, TT, MTB, etc) then weight training isn't beneficial and is likely detrimental.

an article here http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=strengthstern

and a previous thread here http://www.cyclingforums.com/t38904.html

ric

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by nitrogenmustard
i know the seasons just around the corner i'll be racing at least 2wice a week. is it ok to weight train up into the season, if so, how far through. My rides are usually between 1-2.5 hours, leaving plenty of time for lifting. Will lifting make me better or just put undue strain on my body?

I agree with ric regarding any leg training for an endurance cyclist.

I also believe there are strong arguments for some sort of endurance strength training of the upper body. The argument is very weak when you are young, gets formidable as you age.

One exception, the core. Core strength is a very personal thing, so those who have a naturally strong core will see no need and argue that cycling alone will be enough to strengthen it. If on the other hand you do not ?

Sailors of small boats have unusual stress put on there backs, via the hip flexor muscles, same muscles that cyclist use to lift the knee in a pedaling action. Can cause a loss of natural lordosis and injury this is common in sailing. Cyclist tend to relegate back pain to a falling down injury.

I believe reverse abdominal crunches and static work is useful

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by ricstern
assuming that you mean you do some form of endurance cycle racing (e.g., road, TT, MTB, etc) then weight training isn't beneficial and is likely detrimental.

an article here http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=strengthstern

and a previous thread here http://www.cyclingforums.com/t38904.html

ric

I understand where you are comming from, but you include MTB in this category. I would tend to disagree with that particular one. There are some tremendous impact forces you get when MTBing. Some bike handling manoeuvers will also benefit from having an increased level of strength. Having good upper and lower body strength may be the difference between staying on the bike to continue the race or crashing into you handle bars and tumbling down the trail.

However I agree there is no gain from an endurance aspect.

Going by the "Kilo time" post I think Nitrogenmustard is a 15 yearold trackie. I would be carefull with weights at 15, Unless you are a complete "Beast" you may be best to wait abit IMO. I Tend to leave weights till 17 - 18 as a rule.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Fixey
Going by the "Kilo time" post I think Nitrogenmustard is a 15 yearold trackie. I would be carefull with weights at 15, Unless you are a complete "Beast" you may be best to wait abit IMO. I Tend to leave weights till 17 - 18 as a rule.

Unless you are very weak in the upper body I'd wait till 35