Isnt it time to rethink the conventional wisdom that bilateral exercises are superior for building cycling-specific strength? I mean, think about it - when was the last time you pedaled with both legs in perfect sync, generating equal power and torque? Never, right? Yet, were still stuck on the idea that bilateral exercises like squats and deadlifts are the most effective way to build strength for cycling.
But what about unilateral exercises, like single-leg squats and step-ups? Dont they more closely mimic the actual movement pattern of pedaling, where one leg is always in a different phase of the pedal stroke than the other? And isnt it possible that by training each leg independently, we can identify and address strength imbalances that might be holding us back on the bike?
Ive heard some coaches argue that unilateral exercises are too functional and dont translate to real-world cycling performance. But isnt that just a cop-out? If were not training our legs to work independently, arent we just perpetuating the same old bilateral strength imbalances that can lead to injuries and poor performance on the bike?
And what about the research? Ive seen studies that suggest unilateral training can improve balance, proprioception, and overall cycling efficiency. So, why are we still stuck on the idea that bilateral exercises are the gold standard for cycling-specific strength training?
Can anyone explain to me why unilateral exercises are still seen as secondary to bilateral exercises in cycling training programs? Are we just too wedded to traditional strength training methods to consider alternative approaches?