Is the traditional focus on building explosive power through weight training exercises such as squats and deadlifts truly the most effective way to improve cycling cadence, or are we overlooking the benefits of high-repetition, low-intensity exercises that more closely mimic the repetitive motion of cycling?
While its true that building strength in the legs is essential for generating power on the bike, its also important to consider the specific demands of cycling and whether our weight training programs are truly optimized for improving cadence.
For example, research has shown that high-repetition exercises such as leg press and leg extensions can be effective for improving muscular endurance, but are often overlooked in favor of more traditional strength-building exercises.
Similarly, exercises that target the smaller stabilizer muscles in the legs, such as the peroneals and tibialis anterior, may also play a critical role in improving cycling cadence, but are often neglected in favor of more glamorous exercises like squats and lunges.
So, Id love to hear from others - are we missing the boat by focusing too much on traditional strength-building exercises, or are there other, more effective ways to improve cycling cadence through weight training?