Originally posted by ricstern
it maybe worth posting this thread link, which is a fairly extensive thread on the subject of weight training and cycling http://www.cyclingforums.com/t38904.html
i'm not sure if there's typos in there... but anyway exercise modalities such as cycling and running are the best way for expending energy as they invoke large(ish) muscle mass, and are continual for long periods of time
if by "the right resistance training" you mean some form of weight/resistance training, then while it may induce hypertrophy the actual energy expenditure is less than during continual aerobic exercise such as cycling, running, etc. as these efforts continue for much longer periods of time. as regards post exercise energy expenditure, this is so small compared to during training and also compared to a long cycle training session that it isn't worth thinking about
within very small confines, energy expended varies very little from one person to the next at the same power output, in other words, a recreational cyclist will burn the same amount of energy as an elite TdF pro at the same power (obviously, with other conditions the same)
assuming that you mean that you're gaining non lean mass, then you're either eating too much, and/or not training long/intensely enough. if you ride in a group a lot compared to previously energy expenditure will decrease because you're being sheltered from the air (and the air drag acting on you), thus reducing your power output (and thus energy expenditure)
unless signifcant hypertrophy occurs (in the legs) then peak power won't be increased. unless you have some form of disability you'll have enough strength in your body, however, some people think it gives them a psychological advantage if they look big and strong, but this just means more difficult when going uphill.
ric
Ok, you've posted a welcomed and very educated reply. (For those reading this, check Ric's original reply where he addresses my comments : I couldn't be bothered portioning the quotes
)
I think that whilst theories can be tested, individual experiences (including reading and testing alternative theories) also have some credibility ?
What I should have included in my post was that, when training (cycling), I'm supplying energy to my muscles via carb intake (fluids, carb supplements etc) This obviously provides an instant, more accessible energy source, without the need to stoke up as much on carbs the night before etc. and would therefore mean that I'm not tapping much into my body's stores...... but from my experience, the performance gains by training a muscle longer due to not hitting that 'brick wall' are very beneficial. My ommission there is that some people train to lose weight, while some train to increase performance? Someone running/cycling etc without providing energy is obviously going to tap into their own resources, but they'd not be getting the performance gains of someone training longer.
That said, I'd have to query the largish muscle mass attained through running & cycling you refer to.
Comparing the shape I'm in now to what I used to be, I had far more muscle mass to chew those calories up, and whilst having a similar diet was always leaner. This obviously is attributed, in part, to a lessened physical strain. (I've never found anything physically harder than playing Aussie football - imagine the pain of your worst climb, then double it, and add your opponent on your back while you're trying to get back up after being polaxed, and then having to sprint to the other end of the ground to do it all again)
Surely you'd have to agree that the potential calorie burn before and after is going to be quite different (assuming same calorie intake) a:/ because it'd take more energy to move the extra mass and b:/ there's more mass to feed ?? My wife's training routine changed to accommodate this theory (on the advice of someone far more credible than I) and there were obvious benefits
I also train solo through the week (generally into a headwind), and up the front with bunches on the weekend, so it's fair to say that I'm doing a fair bit of work, contradicting what you had implied.
Also, the comparison you make between TDF riders and recreational riders is ok under a controlled situation.
The fact is that a TDF rider, or even a rider slightly more advanced than the basic control subject (of comparable frame) is never going to come close to the same power output due to the fact that every time they get on a bike they're going to go faster than you or I (assuming you're not a TDF rider ?
) That's why they train so hard isn't it ?.. to increase power output.... to increase power-to-weight ratio ? So they are going to burn far more.
Addressing the comments you made on the psychological effects :
There's no doubt that looking big & strong makes you feel stronger, but there's not a doubt in my mind that the power output does increase. This was reinforced every time I realised I was mashing a higher gear at the same cadence I was prior to doing weight training on the legs.... which surely equates to more power output ?? (without really significant mass gain).
I agree with the mass vs uphill thing, as long as optimum power/weight ratio is considered, along with the individual's goals as a cyclist (i.e. sprinter / climber)
I'm expecting to be shot down again, but science, research (obviously different) & logic has proven correct for me (and many others) many times.
I don't think I ever indicated that weight training actually burns more calories than maintained aerobic exercise, but it does increase the potential to burn more calories whilst doing aerobic exercise.
Let us ponder.
Am I alone ? or does someone else agree with me ??