Hi all,
I was browsing something in the archives and found some of the group discussions on weight-training applied to cycling. I would like to know what actual research has been done into weight programs for cyclists, what the results revealed and, above all, whether any of the pro-cyclists such as Ullrich, Indurain and Armstrong have ever devoted time to weight-training programs. If so, how did they weight-train? Did they use circuit speed training, for example?
The reason I ask this is because I was very surprised to see one of the fastest sprinters in the world (in running) doing a weight program. I won't mention his name but he set a world record at his peak and incorporates heavy squats into his program. I was never aware that sprinters squatted heavy and I'm assuming it must, therefore, have aided the sprinter in his performance.
Of course, we should bear in mind that sprinters aren't marathon runners and the goal of the sprinter is explosive speed over a short period.
Do coaches ban cyclists from weights or is it the case that some of them adopt gym work while others avoid it? Alternatively, would squats actually hinder cycling performance by stimulating the wrong types of fiber?
I was browsing something in the archives and found some of the group discussions on weight-training applied to cycling. I would like to know what actual research has been done into weight programs for cyclists, what the results revealed and, above all, whether any of the pro-cyclists such as Ullrich, Indurain and Armstrong have ever devoted time to weight-training programs. If so, how did they weight-train? Did they use circuit speed training, for example?
The reason I ask this is because I was very surprised to see one of the fastest sprinters in the world (in running) doing a weight program. I won't mention his name but he set a world record at his peak and incorporates heavy squats into his program. I was never aware that sprinters squatted heavy and I'm assuming it must, therefore, have aided the sprinter in his performance.
Of course, we should bear in mind that sprinters aren't marathon runners and the goal of the sprinter is explosive speed over a short period.
Do coaches ban cyclists from weights or is it the case that some of them adopt gym work while others avoid it? Alternatively, would squats actually hinder cycling performance by stimulating the wrong types of fiber?