Weights routine for cycling
Comments
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It seems to me that Alex et al are pretty much fixed on the notion (rightly or wrongly) that weights does nothing for endurance cyclists but that it does have definite benefits for track cyclists like Chris Hoy etc.
Given that none of us here are tour riders or track sprinters but lie somewhere inbetween, is it not inconceivable that for some of us at least, doing weights will improve certain aspects of our riding.
I fully appreciate where you guys are coming from but personally I feel your rigidity in the whole matter is a little daft given that the research you put so much faith in is so hit/miss and from what I've read is really not that satisfactory. I don't blame you for believing in what you do but being so black/white and saying that weights categorically do not help is somewhat dangerous. Today I'm sure you are absolutely right to think they way you do but tomorrow you may well be proven wrong.0 -
Escargot wrote:It seems to me that Alex et al are pretty much fixed on the notion (rightly or wrongly) that weights does nothing for endurance cyclists but that it does have definite benefits for track cyclists like Chris Hoy etc.
Given that none of us here are tour riders or track sprinters but lie somewhere inbetween, is it not inconceivable that for some of us at least, doing weights will improve certain aspects of our riding.
I fully appreciate where you guys are coming from but personally I feel your rigidity in the whole matter is a little daft given that the research you put so much faith in is so hit/miss and from what I've read is really not that satisfactory. I don't blame you for believing in what you do but being so black/white and saying that weights categorically do not help is somewhat dangerous. Today I'm sure you are absolutely right to think they way you do but tomorrow you may well be proven wrong.
That was VERY well put. I'm going to try and remember that when I absolutely, positively, without a doubt know that I'm right and the other guy is ,of course, wrong. Sad part is that
I know what you're saying is true because it's happened to me all through my life. H*ll, I knew everything when I was 16, but that didn't prove to be true either..0 -
I don't think I'm rigid, just presenting the information we have available and a body of evidence which doesn't support the notion that strength training improves endurance cycling performance in trained cyclists - people can make their own choices as to whether to ignore it or not.Escargot wrote:It seems to me that Alex et al are pretty much fixed on the notion (rightly or wrongly) that weights does nothing for endurance cyclists but that it does have definite benefits for track cyclists like Chris Hoy etc.
Given that none of us here are tour riders or track sprinters but lie somewhere inbetween, is it not inconceivable that for some of us at least, doing weights will improve certain aspects of our riding.
I fully appreciate where you guys are coming from but personally I feel your rigidity in the whole matter is a little daft given that the research you put so much faith in is so hit/miss and from what I've read is really not that satisfactory. I don't blame you for believing in what you do but being so black/white and saying that weights categorically do not help is somewhat dangerous. Today I'm sure you are absolutely right to think they way you do but tomorrow you may well be proven wrong.0 -
It`s nice to see that peaple can have a discussion on here in an adult manner.
Alex you abviously love the sport and have a great understanding of training that is required to produce sustainable watts.(shame your down under, i may of signed up for some coaching).
To share knowledge and views on things are what makes this forum great.
DennisnN i like the fact that you argue and stretch things in a nice manner as it can shed light on things that have been over looked.My view is that weights should be done in the cold winters along with curcuit training but thats just what im accustom too.
Take into account though that i am not a quailified coach.
I can pull a mean wheelie though
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At RST we coach riders all over the world. My current personal clients are based in 7 countries and training plans have gone to riders in many more.CarbonCopy wrote:Alex you abviously love the sport and have a great understanding of training that is required to produce sustainable watts.(shame your down under, i may of signed up for some coaching).CarbonCopy wrote:I can pull a mean wheelie though
That's very important!!0 -
Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:
I don't think I'm rigid, just presenting the information we have available and a body of evidence which doesn't support the notion that strength training improves endurance cycling performance in trained cyclists - people can make their own choices as to whether to ignore it or not.Escargot wrote:It seems to me that Alex et al are pretty much fixed on the notion (rightly or wrongly) that weights does nothing for endurance cyclists but that it does have definite benefits for track cyclists like Chris Hoy etc.
Given that none of us here are tour riders or track sprinters but lie somewhere inbetween, is it not inconceivable that for some of us at least, doing weights will improve certain aspects of our riding.
I fully appreciate where you guys are coming from but personally I feel your rigidity in the whole matter is a little daft given that the research you put so much faith in is so hit/miss and from what I've read is really not that satisfactory. I don't blame you for believing in what you do but being so black/white and saying that weights categorically do not help is somewhat dangerous. Today I'm sure you are absolutely right to think they way you do but tomorrow you may well be proven wrong.
These conversations have popped up on a number of occasions and my personal feeling is that you come across like this;
"the research I've read has found that weights are not useful for endurance so they categorically do not help, end of story. Any other opinion is just wrong"
Maybe I'm just being pedantic but this sounds very rigid and to me these things are never quite so black/white. At the end of the day I've not got 0.1% of your cycling/fitness knowlege/expertise but having spent a large part of my career working in a research environment (albeit not sports science) I feel a more realistic statement would be that "current research has shown that weights do not help". It maybe a small difference but especially with the human body it would be very presumptious to think we've reached the limits of our understanding of the human body and how it responds to different types of input.
Please don't take this as my knocking you as I think you're a great bloke who contributes massively to these forums - which is more than I do with my uneducated blurb
It's just that the OP just asked for any suggestions, without any hint of cycling type i.e. endurance, track, TT, etc., and the conversation soon degenerated to the old debate as seen many a time.0 -
dennisn wrote:Pokerface wrote:I bet if I said the sky is blue, Dennis would argue that it wasn't.
Today. Here. Yes, I would argue.
LOL, good one Dennis!dennisn wrote:Pretty much everyone knows I'm an idiot of sorts and tend to spout off somewhat. Just ask frenchfighter and bikingbernie. Particularly about things I believe in. I know it's not an excuse. More of an explanation of who I am. Getting older and more arrogant as time goes by. Sorry if I offend on occasion. I always regret it but don't seem able to control it. Especially if I believe strongly. And I do believe very strongly about "pumping iron"(as you probably have guessed by now). I offer my apologies to any who were offended and will try(and I've said this before) to be a bit "calmer and use more reasoning" about things.
And I know you're all saying "Yeah, sure, right, we've all heard this before", but it's the best I can offer. :oops: :oops:
No problem, that's OK Dennis, and I do apologize if I sounded a little harsh in my earlier post myself.
We all just need to remember that this is a cycling training forum in the end and it's best if we all can get along to share and pass on sensible information that people interested can benefit from.
Murr X0 -
Murr X wrote:dennisn wrote:Pokerface wrote:I bet if I said the sky is blue, Dennis would argue that it wasn't.
Today. Here. Yes, I would argue.
LOL, good one Dennis!dennisn wrote:Pretty much everyone knows I'm an idiot of sorts and tend to spout off somewhat. Just ask frenchfighter and bikingbernie. Particularly about things I believe in. I know it's not an excuse. More of an explanation of who I am. Getting older and more arrogant as time goes by. Sorry if I offend on occasion. I always regret it but don't seem able to control it. Especially if I believe strongly. And I do believe very strongly about "pumping iron"(as you probably have guessed by now). I offer my apologies to any who were offended and will try(and I've said this before) to be a bit "calmer and use more reasoning" about things.
And I know you're all saying "Yeah, sure, right, we've all heard this before", but it's the best I can offer. :oops: :oops:
No problem, that's OK Dennis, and I do apologize if I sounded a little harsh in my earlier post myself.
We all just need to remember that this is a cycling training forum in the end and it's best if we all can get along to share and pass on sensible information that people interested can benefit from.
Murr X
You're right. Although I've just realized why I think weight training is so effective for cyclist's. If I saw Chis Hoy throwing a leg over a bike because he was in a race I was in, well, I'd just roll over and go belly up. Now that's my proof of the effectiveness of weight training in cyclist's.0 -
LOL, Weight training is effective for track sprinters, road riders however are a different breed with different requirements.dennisn wrote:Although I've just realized why I think weight training is so effective for cyclist's. If I saw Chis Hoy throwing a leg over a bike because he was in a race I was in, well, I'd just roll over and go belly up. Now that's my proof of the effectiveness of weight training in cyclist's.
Forestermann looks intimidating but is not going to give any decent road rider much to worry about on the tarmac. Thighs like Tom Platz! http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/439 ... a3bcac.jpg0 -
This isn`t a weight training related question.
Would using a cross trainer add to my fitness,adding to my cycling prowess?0 -
Murr X wrote:
LOL, Weight training is effective for track sprinters, road riders however are a different breed with different requirements.dennisn wrote:Although I've just realized why I think weight training is so effective for cyclist's. If I saw Chis Hoy throwing a leg over a bike because he was in a race I was in, well, I'd just roll over and go belly up. Now that's my proof of the effectiveness of weight training in cyclist's.
Forestermann looks intimidating but is not going to give any decent road rider much to worry about on the tarmac. Thighs like Tom Platz! http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/439 ... a3bcac.jpg
How DOES a bike hold together under power like that????0 -
You know - I just went back and read all the responses I've posted on this thread and I'm not sure how I've left this impression with you because no where do I say what you suggest - but if that's the impression I've given you, that was/is not my intent.Escargot wrote:These conversations have popped up on a number of occasions and my personal feeling is that you come across like this;
"the research I've read has found that weights are not useful for endurance so they categorically do not help, end of story. Any other opinion is just wrong"
I didn't however look over all the gazillion other threads on same topic (here or on other forums).
Fair enough, although I would suggest:Escargot wrote:I feel a more realistic statement would be that "current research has shown that weights do not help".
"the existing body of evidence suggests training designed to increase strength* does not aid endurance cycling performance"
* Strength being the maximal force generation capacity of a muscle/group of muscles, which by definition occurs at zero velocity.0 -
CarbonCopy wrote:This isn`t a weight training related question.
Would using a cross trainer add to my fitness,adding to my cycling prowess?
Forgot to say this one is for Alex@RST0 -
You'll have to explain what you mean by a "cross trainer".CarbonCopy wrote:CarbonCopy wrote:This isn`t a weight training related question.
Would using a cross trainer add to my fitness,adding to my cycling prowess?
Forgot to say this one is for Alex@RST
My idea of cross training is riding the bike leg of a triathlon 0 -
I mean one of these.i use my polar heart rate monitor with it.i also do intervals and i absolutely sweat my pips off!!
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1. If you can't ride, then anything that engages a significant muscle mass in an aerobically meaningful manner is the next best option. That's looks a bit like an elliptical trainer, with arms thrown in for a bit of a giggle, so I'd say if you are working hard enough, it'll be better than nothing!CarbonCopy wrote:
I mean one of these.i use my polar heart rate monitor with it.i also do intervals and i absolutely sweat my pips off!!
2. use/get a BFF0 -
Thanks Alex what is a BFF? :oops:0
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Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:CarbonCopy wrote:CarbonCopy wrote:This isn`t a weight training related question.
Would using a cross trainer add to my fitness,adding to my cycling prowess?
Forgot to say this one is for Alex@RST
My idea of cross training is riding the bike leg of a triathlon
Mine is watching the whole thing. 0 -
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I have one really excellent weight exercise that i found helps my cycling. It's called the swing and involves a kettlebell. It will give you big strength for all your core muscles and back. You training all the core muscles together in one go. I recommend 16Kg (about £20) the ideal universal weight for beginners and advanced. It's a great conditioner.
A good educational video explaining and how to do it right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HsvSXXt ... re=related
Instructions here
http://www.ehow.com/how_2241020_do-kett ... rcise.html0 -
DaveyL wrote:CarbonCopy wrote:Thanks Alex what is a BFF? :oops:
Big fking fan....
Thanks Davey
I have a big fan and assos headband to help with sweat.0
