Yes, yes and yes. Interesting read today. Those that have not added resistance training or weight lifting early during the base season, will find that those that have hit the gym are ahead of them, IMO.I have seen my efficiency and power output on the bike increase dramatically since I started going to the gym 3-4 times/week. High reps is the key. I chatted with a friend about functional weight lifting, which makes sense to me. Do not do leg extensions, instead do full body squats or power lifts. Sitting down to do curls is not only monotonous but it is not functional... pull-ups are better and the list goes on.
3 comments:
One winter I did weights 3 times a week. I really couldn't tell any difference on the bike. My strength is leg strength and endurance and my weakness is breathing since I have asthma. I think spending time working on being more aerobically fit works the best for me.
I do think though that core strength exercises are very important. They help prevent injury and help you use the power of your other muscles.
I found that high intensity exercises (like Tabata intervals on a rower) REALLY helped me in riding, especially in having the staying power to grind out long climbs and still be able to keep a decent speed the rest of the trail.
All great suggestions.... I find that I need to be able to increase my strength for swimming, something that requires weight/band training.
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