Weights and cycling - adding mass

pepelepew

Anyone on here have any success with weight training whilst cycling. I'm not asking if weights will improve my cycling, I've seen previous threads that have developed into WWIII on that topic. I cycle for health/recreation/enjoyment and do not compete, so don't have an issue with carrying extra upper body weight.

I understand that cardio and muscle building are two competing interests, so any approach will be a bit 'jack of all trades'. I ride 1-2 hours 3 x a week, and anything over an hour use a 4:1 carb/protein to fuel the additional riding to prevent catabolism. Weight wise I am going to train full body using compound exercises 3 x a week.

Not expecting (or wanting) to look like Arnie in his prime, but don't want to look like Andy Schleck either.

Cipo has been looking in good shape lately, something like that would be my goal. 8) I understand he's been hitting the weights but not sure how much riding he's doing.

I suppose the direct question would be 'Has anyone put on any muscle mass whilst cycling up to 2 hours'?

phil s

Strength work with weights doesn't mean you will put on loads of muscle mass. Even Robert Millar used to do weights.

airborne_warrior

pepelepew wrote:

Anyone on here have any success with weight training whilst cycling. I'm not asking if weights will improve my cycling,

Yep. As long as you have a good weight training routine and take aboard enough calories and protein then you get get to a pretty decent size.

I understand that cardio and muscle building are two competing interests, so any approach will be a bit 'jack of all trades'. I ride 1-2 hours 3 x a week, and anything over an hour use a 4:1 carb/protein to fuel the additional riding to prevent catabolism. Weight wise I am going to train full body using compound exercises 3 x a week.

Sounds good to me. 6 hours of riding a week won't affect any hypertrophy.

Not expecting (or wanting) to look like Arnie in his prime, but don't want to look like Andy Schleck either.

You'll not look like Arnie without copious amounts of gear anyway. And even then only if your body is receptive to growing massive on the stuff. Nearly all competitive bodybuilders take gear but not many ever get to Arnies size (upper body anyway).

Cipo has been looking in good shape lately, something like that would be my goal. 8) I understand he's been hitting the weights but not sure how much riding he's doing.

Probably much more then any of us. It's not so much the riding that prevents hypertrophy but lack of fuel and protein for it to occur.

I suppose the direct question would be 'Has anyone put on any muscle mass whilst cycling up to 2 hours'?

I cycle around 150 miles a week and i'm massive!

pepelepew

Airborne, thanks for input. I take it you hit the weights and ride?

Gotta look good in those tight fitting cycling shirts!

airborne_warrior

pepelepew wrote:

Airborne, thanks for input. I take it you hit the weights and ride?

Yep, being in the Paras i've gotta look the part. Can't be looking skinny in me Para smock.

Gotta look good in those tight fitting cycling shirts!

Some of the brands have a warped sense of what XXL is unless it's XXL for pygmies.

Chrissz

Airborne Warrior wrote:

Yep, being in the Paras i've gotta look the part.

phreak

I go to the gym three times a week and whilst I'm certainly not as big on the upper body as when I used to swim competitively I still have a reasonable bit of definition so I'm happy enough. I don't think you'll ever get huge because of the cycling though as it will keep your body fat pretty low.

Barrie_G

So long as your eating enough and getting enough protien you'll gain body mass, the cycling will help to stop this being laid down as fat, try to keep the cycling and weights to different days or as far apart time wise as you can manage.

And don't forget to rest.