Whats the point of doing strength training exercises if youre just going to waste your time on the road with a bunch of other wannabe pros. If youre really looking to improve your cycling power output, why not try something that actually targets the specific muscles used in cycling, instead of just doing generic squats and lunges.
Im talking about exercises that focus on building explosive power, like box jumps and depth jumps. These exercises can help improve your ability to generate force quickly, which is essential for sprinting and accelerating on the bike. And lets not forget about the importance of core strength, which is often overlooked by road cyclists who think theyre above doing gym work.
A strong core can help improve your stability and balance on the bike, allowing you to maintain a more aerodynamic position and generate more power with each pedal stroke. So, instead of wasting your time doing boring old exercises like leg press and leg extensions, why not try something like a side plank or a Russian twist to target your core muscles.
And while were on the topic of core strength, lets talk about the importance of rotational power. Exercises like medicine ball throws and rotational step-ups can help improve your ability to generate torque and power when pedaling, which is essential for climbing and sprinting.
So, what are some of the best strength training exercises for improving cycling power output, and why do so many road cyclists seem to neglect the importance of off-bike training.