Lets assume that the key lifts for weight training in cyclists can be distilled down to a few essential exercises, but can someone please explain to me why its still necessary to include squats in a cyclists weight training program when, in reality, the motion of pedaling a bike is more similar to the hip and knee flexion seen in a squats eccentric phase, rather than the concentric phase thats typically trained.
Isnt deadlifting a more effective way to build overall strength and power, especially in the posterior muscle groups that are so critical for generating torque and speed on the bike. And if were being completely honest, arent lunges just a recipe for disaster in terms of increased risk of overuse injuries in the knees and hips, particularly for cyclists who are already putting in massive amounts of mileage on the bike.
Can someone provide a clear and concise explanation of why these traditional weightlifting exercises are still considered essential for cyclists, or are we just stubbornly clinging to outdated training methods because thats what the experts have always told us to do.