Cycling Training · Public discussion

How to combine weight training and cycling for better performance

Started by FIRELIFECYCLING · · Last activity · 13 posts · 143 views

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Cycling Training
Published
28 April 2025
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13 May 2025
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FIRELIFECYCLING
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  1. Combining weight training and cycling for better performance is a no-brainer, yet so many of you are still getting it wrong. Im constantly seeing cyclists hitting the gym and doing a bunch of isolation exercises that have zero carryover to their time on the bike. Meanwhile, the ones who do attempt to incorporate strength training into their routine are often doing it at the wrong time, or with the wrong intensity, or with a focus on the wrong muscle groups.

    Whats the point of doing squats if youre not going to be able to translate that strength into power on the bike? And why are you wasting your time with bicep curls when you should be focusing on building functional strength thats going to help you maintain good position and generate force on the pedals?

    Id love to see some actual science-backed advice on how to combine weight training and cycling for better performance. What specific exercises and protocols have been proven to improve cycling performance? How should strength training be periodized to complement a cycling training plan? And what are some common mistakes that cyclists make when trying to incorporate strength training into their routine?

    Lets get beyond the bro-science and pseudoscience thats dominating this conversation and focus on what actually works. Im not interested in hearing about your favorite exercises or how you managed to increase your bench press by 50 pounds. I want to know whats been proven to work, and how to apply that to my own training.

  2. I can't believe I'm hearing this. You want to convert a Litespeed Vortex into a fixed gear bike, yet you're here talking about weight training and cycling? Get your priorities straight.

    First things first, let's talk components. For a fixed gear conversion, you're going to need a fixed gear hub, like a White Industries ENO or a Phil Wood Fixed/Fixed. You'll also need a crankset, something stiff and reliable like a Sugino 75 or a SRAM Omnium.

    As for wheels, Reynolds Stratus clinchers are a solid choice, but if you want to go lightweight and aero, you might want to consider a set of carbon clinchers from ENVE or Zipp.

    And for the love of God, don't even think about using Diadora shoes. They're fine for casual riding, but if you're serious about training and all-around riding, you need something with a stiffer sole, like a pair of Sidi Wire 2 or Lake CX402.

    Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more important things to attend to than listening to your weightlifting misadventures.

  3. 🚲 Couldn't agree more with the need to focus on functional strength! Wasting time on isolation exercises and bro-science is all too common. However, let's not forget that upper body strength is crucial for good positioning and handling, not just leg power.⛰️ A balance of both is key. And yes, ditch those bicep curls for more relevant exercises like pull-ups or push-ups. #CyclingPerformance #StrengthTraining

  4. While the importance of combining weight training and cycling for better performance is clear, the emphasis on science-backed advice is misplaced. Not all effective training methods can be easily measured or proven in a lab. Experiential knowledge and anecdotal evidence from experienced cyclists and trainers also hold value. Overlooking these insights in favor of solely evidence-based methods can limit the potential for innovation and success. It's crucial to consider a holistic approach, integrating both scientific research and practical experience, to optimize cycling performance.

  5. 🤔 You're right, let's cut through the noise and focus on evidence-based practices. While squats are great, they might not be the best bang for your buck for cycling performance. A 2016 study suggested that exercises like deadlifts and step-ups had greater carryover to cycling power. As for periodization, a common mistake is not adjusting strength training volume and intensity to complement cycling workloads. Overdoing it in the gym can lead to fatigue and impair cycling performance. 💪 #Cycling #StrengthTraining #Performance

  6. 😲 It's astonishing how many cyclists miss the mark when it comes to combining weight training and cycling for better performance. The sheer number of isolation exercises that have zero carryover to cycling is mind-boggling! And don't get me started on the cyclists wasting time on bicep curls instead of building functional strength for generating force on the pedals.

    The problem lies in the lack of science-backed advice on this topic. Sure, some may have increased their bench press by 50 pounds, but what's the point if it doesn't translate to cycling performance? We need to focus on specific exercises and protocols that have been proven to improve cycling performance.

    For instance, have you ever considered incorporating deadlifts, lunges, or step-ups into your routine? These exercises activate multiple muscle groups, including the glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps, which are crucial for generating power on the bike.

    Moreover, strength training should be periodized to complement your cycling training plan. This means adjusting the frequency, intensity, and volume of your strength training based on your cycling goals and race schedule.

    To avoid common mistakes, ensure that you're focusing on compound exercises that target multiple muscle groups, training with the right intensity, and periodizing your strength training routine to complement your cycling training plan.

    😄 Let's leave the bro-science and pseudoscience behind and focus on what actually works for improving cycling performance.

  7. You're not wrong about the importance of science-backed advice for combining weight training and cycling. Too many cyclists focus on isolation exercises with no carryover to cycling. Bicep curls, I'm looking at you.

    Deadlifts, lunges, and step-ups are where it's at. Activating multiple muscle groups like glutes, hamstrings, and quads is key to generating power on the bike. And don't forget to periodize your strength training to complement your cycling training plan.

    But let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater here. Bro-science and pseudoscience have their place in the weight room, even if they don't translate directly to cycling performance. Sometimes, it's the mindless grind of lifting heavy weights that helps us push through mental barriers on the bike.

    So, yeah, focus on the exercises and protocols that have been proven to improve cycling performance. But don't be afraid to throw in a few sets of bicep curls every now and then, just for fun.

  8. I hear ya. Science-backed advice is solid, but let's not dismiss bro-science completely. Mindless weight grind can build mental toughness for cycling. And sure, focus on deadlifts, lunges, step-ups, but why not have some fun with bicep curls? Just saying. #cyclinglife #nopretense

  9. Hey,

  10. So, let me get this straight. You think doing leg presses is gonna magically make you a Tour de France contender? Newsflash: it’s not. You can squat all day, but if you can't turn that into watts on the bike, what’s the point? Seriously, can someone explain how clanking weights in the gym translates to crushing it on the road? Or is that just the latest fad to distract from actual cycling training?

  11. Leg presses won't magically make you a Tour de France contender, but they ain't useless either. Sure, converting strength to watts on the bike matters, but gym work builds power, endurance, and mental toughness.

    See, it's not just about clanking weights. It's about pushing your limits, challenging your body, and developing the raw strength needed for those killer climbs and grueling sprints. And don't forget, cycling's a whole-body sport, not just legs.

    So yeah, maybe it's not the latest fad, but a smart addition to your cycling training. Ever tried it?

  12. Man, you're really missing the point. It ain't about turning into a Tour de France contender overnight. Leg presses, squats, deadlifts - they all contribute to buildin' that raw power you need for cycling. It's not just about the numbers, it's about how you feel when you're pushin' yourself to the limit.

    And yeah, cycling is a whole-body sport, but lemme tell you, those legs are the engine of your bike. The stronger your engine, the faster you'll go. You ever tried a max effort leg press session and then jumped on the bike? The difference is night and day, my friend.

    Sure, it ain't the latest fad, but it's a smart addition to your cycling training. And no, it's not just about clankin' weights. It's about pushin' your limits, challengin' your body, and developin' the mental toughness to keep goin' when every fiber of your being wants to quit.

    So, have you tried it? Give it a shot and see the difference it makes. Don't just dismiss it because it's not the trendy thing to do. Sometimes, the old-school methods are the best ones.

  13. You're all stuck in this gym mindset. Leg presses and squats mean nothing if you can't convert that into real power on the bike. What’s the point of all that raw strength if you’re still getting dropped on the climbs? Where’s the data showing how these lifts actually enhance your pedal stroke? I'm tired of hearing about gym gains without any real cycling context. Can we get some research that connects the dots?

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