Weights and power

Bob West · Aug 29, 2003

Well I know that a lot of you are coaches that read this forum. So I think you should have the data to say, if on an average a cyclist that uses weights improves better than a cyclist that traines only on the bike???? I figure the watts would tell the tail.

Bob West · Aug 31, 2003

Come on this isn't a hard question to answer, especially for someone who has coached for a while. The good thing about training with power is that it gives you lots of good data. This data can be used statistically to show if there is significance to weight lifting or not. There should be no arguing the data. Just to narrow the scope some what I'm infering to the average Joe bike racer.( Not a track racer )
I saw on a different thread, but not in the Power section, a similar question. The conversation went back and forth, for and against weight lifting. In the end I'm still not convinced one way or another. Both sides of the coin gave no real concrete data. I figure that the riddle can and will be solved with the data power supplies through statistics. I bet that someone already has the answer, I'm just waiting to hear it??

ric_stern/RST · Aug 31, 2003

Originally posted by Bob West
Come on this isn't a hard question to answer, especially for someone who has coached for a while. The good thing about training with power is that it gives you lots of good data. This data can be used statistically to show if there is significance to weight lifting or not. There should be no arguing the data. Just to narrow the scope some what I'm infering to the average Joe bike racer.( Not a track racer )
I saw on a different thread, but not in the Power section, a similar question. The conversation went back and forth, for and against weight lifting. In the end I'm still not convinced one way or another. Both sides of the coin gave no real concrete data. I figure that the riddle can and will be solved with the data power supplies through statistics. I bet that someone already has the answer, I'm just waiting to hear it??

There's stacks of research showing that weight training has no positive effect on (endurance) cycling performance in trained riders. I wrote an article about it here: http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=strengthstern

I've also reiterated this quite a *lot* here on this forum!

Ric

Bob West · Aug 31, 2003

Thx Rick, I read all of it and it made good sence to me. A bit dry at times though. By the way I liked your web site. Although I had to convert your Money to Canadian. $328.00 Canadian for 3 months if I did it right???

ric_stern/RST · Aug 31, 2003

glad you found the article useful and liked the site, thanks.

a bit dry... :-(, written in a bit of a rush and needed to be somewhat scientific!

I've PMed re coaching.

Cheers
ric

JimBill · Feb 23, 2004

I have read a lot of threads on here from ricstern about weight training not being advantageous to cycling. My question is, how would a world class athlete compare to an average joe who goes o the gym three times a week, and has worked on improving output (pounds per set) with regard to say a 1 rep max? Is someone like Jan Ullrich able to squat twice his weight, and leg press 800 lbs? If he comes in at an average ability for his body weight, then I can see how there is no comparison between gym work and bike work. My guess is that he will produce more power than me in a 1 rep max, and it won't be from going to the gym. So, if that is the case (unsure?) then how come power can be developed on the bike that way, but not in the gym. The end result is the same?! I guess we all want to believe that it will work.

Originally posted by Bob West
Well I know that a lot of you are coaches that read this forum. So I think you should have the data to say, if on an average a cyclist that uses weights improves better than a cyclist that traines only on the bike???? I figure the watts would tell the tail.

Squint · Feb 23, 2004

The last time I raced, which was 3-4 years ago, I lifted fairly regular during the winter and an 800 lb leg press was no problem. I often did less weight but with individual legs.

I started training again last summer and haven't done any weights. My power output for various durations are fairly close to when I last raced except I weigh 10% less. It seems not lifting hasn't had any effect. And this is comparing February numbers to numbers from July and later months.

However, I have not tested my sprint power, having not done any sprint workouts yet. It was never that high, though I did handily win several uphill sprints years back, and I should be able to match or exceed it with only on-the-bike training.

acoggan · Feb 24, 2004

Originally posted by JimBill
My question is, how would a world class athlete compare to an average joe who goes o the gym three times a week, and has worked on improving output (pounds per set) with regard to say a 1 rep max? Is someone like Jan Ullrich able to squat twice his weight, and leg press 800 lbs?

On average, endurance athletes are no stronger than completely untrained individuals of comparable body size/muscle mass.

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