Build muscle for endurance?

originalolol said:

I was jus wundrin if in the winter during my build-up phase, i trained for hypertrophy (high weight, 4-8 reps)

would i have more slow twitch muscle fibres available to train high reps/low weight by the summer?
any thoughts appreciated

Do a search for strength training and/or weight lifting in this forum and you'll find a plethora of OPINIONS (and I stress that word) on the topic. Before this turns into another debate, I just want to tell you to do your research and look at all sides of this issue before deciding to train for hypertrophy.

Speaking specifically to your question of hypertrophy training and having more slow twitch muscle fibers...
Hypertrophy training places a lot of stress on the muscles due to the high volume of weight lifted and the subsequent training to failure on many sets. This will help build muscle mass, but depending on the weights chosen will not develop solely slow twitch fibers. Typically you wouldn't move from a hypertrophy phase into an endurance-type phase (which it seems like what you're talking about here) with weights simply because you will likely not maintain the muscle mass with this type of training. Bodybuilders use hypertrophy training for aesthetics. Unless you're racing track or unless you have almost no muscular development (if you're just a twig), then hypertrophy training will most likely not benefit you.

The amount of muscle you currently have is probably fine to start building endurance with. You could start with light weights and relatively high reps in your building phase and continue that throughout, eventually going into a maintenance phase before your race season starts. This would allow you to reap the benefits of strength training without building unneccesary muscle mass...and you'll have more time to ride the bike![img]cyclingforums.comwink.gifOpen ↗[/img]