Garmin sharp pro throws me a curve ball

edignatu
edignatu Posts: 19
edited March 2013 in Training, fitness and health
So, I've read and digested most if not all of the weight training (squats) versus 'just riding' debate and find myself, counter intuitively I have to say, coming round to the view that weight training is not effective for cycling performance.

Then I pick up this month's 'Cyclist' mag an on page 41 Garmin Sharp pro Dan Martin says:

(in the off season)

"I do a lot gym work and not a lot of riding. I mainly do leg presses and squats with lots of repetitions. I'm getting stronger every year. Since I turned pro I've probably put on about three kilos of muscle."

What gives?

Comments

  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    Oh no where is that emoji for facepalm?

    There are 2 trains of thought that weight training does help & others that it does not & as your about to find out a lot of arguing that their might or might not be scientific proof to prove/disprove the fact.

    I tend to fall into the camp that it does good as strengthens joints, lower back and core muscles plus keeps you active through the off season. Though I come from a tri racing background where it is pretty common to put muscle on over the winter and loose it as the season goes on.

    Others will be along soon to add their part but if you use the search function you will see quite a few similar posts concerning none cycling specific training.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • edignatu
    edignatu Posts: 19
    Don't get your first line

    It's not terribly clear from my op but I have read most if not all of the weight training pros and cons posts on this forum. I was just getting comfortable with the science and reasoning..... then Dan Martin throws me the curve ball.
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    I mean that if you read the other threads in training concerning weight training, strength training, conditioning, yoga, Pilates etc you will soon see a common thread appearing.

    My first line was one of comedy as I posted the thread concerning Yoga and got responses from those strongly for and strongly against any no cycling specific training. I had not expected it to be such a hot topic & didn't realise I was opening such a can of worms.

    The science can be taken several ways as there are so many studies out there that seem to contradict each other to some degree (though thats no different from studies concerning what foods to eat etc).

    I have not read the article in full so can only speculate but assume the basis is that he is building up good solid muscle in his legs, back, core that backed with a good element of cycling specific training for his particular goals have helped him get better. Is a common theme amongst other cyclists but then just as many don't do that type of work and also good riders.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • GiantMike
    GiantMike Posts: 3,139
    It's difficult because a lot of the 'evidence' is anecdotal and I'm not entirely sure these reports are accurate (they are in a publication, after all).

    Pros are incredibly fit and dedicated riders and may get to the point where they get a better marginal gain from doing something non-cycling. I'm neither incredibly fit nor dedicated so I'd get a better marginal gain from riding more. Individual riders respond differently to exercise and trying to apply lessons from pros only works if you're a pro. For me, I do better trying to get my CV system working properly and improving my efficiency than a pro rider would.
  • junglist_matty
    junglist_matty Posts: 1,731
    GiantMike wrote:
    Pros are incredibly fit and dedicated riders and may get to the point where they get a better marginal gain from doing something non-cycling. I'm neither incredibly fit nor dedicated so I'd get a better marginal gain from riding more. Individual riders respond differently to exercise and trying to apply lessons from pros only works if you're a pro. For me, I do better trying to get my CV system working properly and improving my efficiency than a pro rider would.

    They're also topped up to the max with drugs ;)
  • GiantMike
    GiantMike Posts: 3,139
    junglist_matty wrote:
    GiantMike wrote:
    Pros are incredibly fit and dedicated riders and may get to the point where they get a better marginal gain from doing something non-cycling. I'm neither incredibly fit nor dedicated so I'd get a better marginal gain from riding more. Individual riders respond differently to exercise and trying to apply lessons from pros only works if you're a pro. For me, I do better trying to get my CV system working properly and improving my efficiency than a pro rider would.

    They're also topped up to the max with drugs ;)

    So am I, it makes up for the lack of training.

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