We have reached the point where this statement needs to be attached as a standard disclaimer to the beginning every post.


....and maybe we should just have an "auto-reply" function that just immediately posts "That hasn't been proven." after every post.


You have to wonder what motivates people.

Lets keep this on topic please or it will go away.

I too lift weights in the winter. I believe it helps indirectly my riding. It does slow down the lose of muscle mass and that is something that faces us all as we age. It does take a while away from the weights to get my high end speed back.

_________________
-For my next trick I will set myself on fire!
-This board and the world in general would be a much nicer place if everyone could just take themselves a little less seriously.
-Sticky Fingers John Rockefeller
-First one over the cliff wins!

I lifted weights on saturday... then tried to do a 2x20 at ftp on Wednesday... my legs were still sore from weights and I couldnt even hold 80% of my ftp for 20 minutes.

Yeah, that seems normal to me and that is the problem with weight work. I think you have to be looking ahead 6 months rather than 6 weeks or 6 days.

What's the point in lifting weights if it wipes you out and impacts you so you can't train by Wednesday?

I'm pretty sure most cyclists could manage 20+ crank revolutions in their hardest gear so maximal strength isn't the issue holding you back. If maximal strength had anything to do why are most pro cyclists skinny? Surely all that cycling should make their legs huge and mean they can squat massive amounts

If you want to strengthen you're legs low cadence powerclimbs would in my opinion be a much better cycling specific way of doing it.

You're probably doing more with the weights than you're ready for. If you back down the load with the weights, I bet you'll be fine.

You mean train at an intensity close to the one you intend to compete at?

_________________
Hamish Ferguson
Cycling Coach

I want to get this skinny:

Posting photos of Pro cyclists as evidence. How many times can a thread "Jump the Shark".

_________________
Hamish Ferguson
Cycling Coach

This guy must fly up hills.




And this guy can't even stay on his bike his legs are so thin and weak.



I think that's enough shark jumping now eh?

_________________
"Physiology is all just propaganda and lies... all waiting to be disproven by the next study."
"I'm not a real doctor; But I am a real worm; I am an actual worm." - TMBG

So....uhhh....are there any really skinny guys who are match sprinters ?

Are there any guys with huge quads who are national tour mountain stage contenders ?

It would seem that the photo evidence shows that leg strength does indeed have "something to do with it".

No one has made the claim that weight lifting or leg size is necessary for all cycling or that everyone should do it.

[Please refer to the standard disclaimers now standard for all posts at WW]

Quite funny discussion in here.

The thing about studies is that they all show different results. A couple of years ago we were adviced only to eat 3-4 eggs a week due to cholestorol(at least here in Denmark), and a couple of months ago a new study showed that there were no significant increase in cholestorol by eating more than 3-4 eggs a week. One day broccoli is the best thing you can eat, the next day a study has shown that it can lead to cancer. Etc. etc. Several members here have the idea that weighttraining does not affect bikeperformance, others have the idea that it does. Some studies show that it does, some that it doesn't. So what to believe?

My overall belief is that if you combine the two in the off-season, then you should be able to see good results. What makes your legs stronger? Doing squats or cycling? Well since most weightlifters are doing squats, maybe the answer lies here, but that doesn't mean that you will be able to cycle faster, longer or harder. My initial thought is that increasing my leg strength by doing squats, 1 legged leg press and calf raises with low repetition and heavy weight, will benefit me when riding. It has been my experience earlier that this has helped a great deal, but at the same time I have increased my cycling volume, so whether or not the weight training bears the total benefit here I don't really now.

One thing you can never underestimate is the placebo effect of training. If you feel your legs are stronger, and you can feel every muscle working in your quads, then you might get an extra boost.

Like Tapeworm suggests, there are many reasons to do strength training. It may enhance your performance on the bike, just don't count on it. For me it has worked to some extent, and I really like to say that I can squat 125 kgs

If I remember correctly, Chris Anker Sørensen of Team Saxobank did strength training last year according to his blog.

_________________
-----------------------------
I like Spanish bikes and cars. Riding an Orbea Orca and a Seat Ibiza.

And in relation to the studies I refer to my sig line here.

And 125kgs?? If that's a below parallel squat then I am impressed (especially if you are an enduro!)

_________________
"Physiology is all just propaganda and lies... all waiting to be disproven by the next study."
"I'm not a real doctor; But I am a real worm; I am an actual worm." - TMBG

Don't really know if I was below, but it was definately not an olympic squat But around parallel.

_________________
-----------------------------
I like Spanish bikes and cars. Riding an Orbea Orca and a Seat Ibiza.

I think the secret would be to combine your strength training in the off season, do a nice hard block in the winter months and then taper it down coming into the summer/racing season.

Focus on single leg exercises but I would build a nice base with squats and compound exercises.

_________________
Gloss Black Special Order Colnago C59 with SR and Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR
Giant TCR Advanced SL Rabobank
Go Cadel