Training with ankle weights...

trtimothy

Hi,

Basically I saw a pair of good low profile ankle weights quite cheap and was wondering if they're any good for cycling. Has anyone trained wearing a pair? Do they make you a stronger rider?

Thanks for any advice

sub55

The first thing that you should remember is your performance on the bike is governed by your cardio vascular system, and not strength.
Second thing to think about is weight ,if you add weight to either yourself or the bike it will slow you down. If you do your training in terms of time ,it will have no effect what so ever. If you do your training in terms of miles i.e your commute to work , there may be some benefit as it will take you longer to get from A to B. So your doing more training.

Once used ankle weights all winter, though not on the bike; at work. I work in the building trade so im on my feet all day long ,up and down ladders etc. Whether it helped or not ,i have no idea. As there are many other aspects to a winter training programme. But was working on the basis that it could`nt do me any harm.

langster

if you are trying to get stronger, ride in a harder gear. Simples

a_n_t

there's about 3 strength v power threads going on at the moment.

Just ride your bike.

meanredspider

Do cyclists do resistance training on their bikes? I know sprinters and other athletes do this by running on sandy beaches pulling weights and that sort of thing. I ride my MTB on spikey knobbly tyres on my commute when it's icy - much harder and slower - it feels like it must be doing me some good. Is there an equivalent in bike training?

meanredspider

trtimothy wrote:

Hi,

Basically I saw a pair of good low profile ankle weights quite cheap and was wondering if they're any good for cycling. Has anyone trained wearing a pair? Do they make you a stronger rider?

Thanks for any advice

I'd have thought that they'd do you minimal benefit as it's a balanced system (the weight on one pedal going down will "balance" the weight going up). Accelerating the weights will be harder but they will store that energy in a flywheel effect. Totally different from running. I'm sure there are more effective training methods like riding up hills.

dulldave

I heard Robert Millar used to train with them. I wonder if he'll pop up and give his tuppence worth. Not seen him round these parts for a while.

trtimothy

cheers for the feedback everyone. Reckon I will just ride more.

How about just to make everyones day I will ask the question.....would they have been improving my strength or my power?

ozzzyosborn206

well improved strength will improve power

P_Tucker

meanredspider wrote:

Do cyclists do resistance training on their bikes? I know sprinters and other athletes do this by running on sandy beaches pulling weights and that sort of thing. I ride my MTB on spikey knobbly tyres on my commute when it's icy - much harder and slower - it feels like it must be doing me some good. Is there an equivalent in bike training?

Jesus. The stupid on here is too strong, I quit.

meanredspider

P_Tucker wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Do cyclists do resistance training on their bikes? I know sprinters and other athletes do this by running on sandy beaches pulling weights and that sort of thing. I ride my MTB on spikey knobbly tyres on my commute when it's icy - much harder and slower - it feels like it must be doing me some good. Is there an equivalent in bike training?

Jesus. The stupid on here is too strong, I quit.

Result

a_n_t

ozzzyosborn206 wrote:

well improved strength will improve power

must resist..........must RESIST!!!!

gotheteeshirt2

dulldave wrote:

I heard Robert Millar used to train with them. I wonder if he'll pop up and give his tuppence worth. Not seen him round these parts for a while.

You have to know when in your training phase to use weights and when not to, they aren't much use on flat rides that's for sure .

Alex_Simmons/RST

trtimothy wrote:

cheers for the feedback everyone. Reckon I will just ride more.

How about just to make everyones day I will ask the question.....would they have been improving my strength or my power?

Neither.

To improve power you have to ride more and / or ride harder.

To improve strength, you need to do strength training, which is not done on a bike.

Alex_Simmons/RST

ozzzyosborn206 wrote:

well improved strength will improve power

Actually an increase in strength can have a negative impact on sustainable power.

In general, the two are unrelated.