chqshaitan
Guru
- Location
- Warringon
I have been watching this thread with interest as i have recently got back into cycling after spending 3 years in the gym with a personal trainer for 2 hours a week. so thought i would give me view on the benefits / downsides of weight training in the gym on cycling.
Just to clarify that my definition of weight training for legs is to add bulk not tone up, as you can do that on a (stationary) bike far better than lifting some weights.
Where i see the extra strength in your legs coming into its own is if you need a quick burst of speed, ie when you set off. Having really strong legs (different from toned) generally would give you no benefit and depending on the size of your legs, could actually be a detriment, as every extra pound of weight in muscle means that you have to put just that bit more of effort into each turn of the wheel to continue at a steady pace as someone who is not as muscular. Nevermind on hills where the effort becomes significantly more.
With cycling your body requires a really efficient cv system. I know a lot of really massive guys at the gym who could lift very heavy weights, but are out of breath when they get to the top of a single flight of stairs.
So like most things in life, its about all things in moderation. Its no good having a really muscular body if you do not work your cv system.
If i was starting off in a gym now to complement my cycling, I would use the various modes on the bikes/cross trainer to give yourself a good and varied workout, and also do some light weights by high no of reps for upper body toning in conjunction with core workouts, as this will do more for your outdoor cycling than lifting weights alone.
All of this heavily depends on your current level of fitness and muscle tone so each to their own.
my 2 p
Just to clarify that my definition of weight training for legs is to add bulk not tone up, as you can do that on a (stationary) bike far better than lifting some weights.
Where i see the extra strength in your legs coming into its own is if you need a quick burst of speed, ie when you set off. Having really strong legs (different from toned) generally would give you no benefit and depending on the size of your legs, could actually be a detriment, as every extra pound of weight in muscle means that you have to put just that bit more of effort into each turn of the wheel to continue at a steady pace as someone who is not as muscular. Nevermind on hills where the effort becomes significantly more.
With cycling your body requires a really efficient cv system. I know a lot of really massive guys at the gym who could lift very heavy weights, but are out of breath when they get to the top of a single flight of stairs.
So like most things in life, its about all things in moderation. Its no good having a really muscular body if you do not work your cv system.
If i was starting off in a gym now to complement my cycling, I would use the various modes on the bikes/cross trainer to give yourself a good and varied workout, and also do some light weights by high no of reps for upper body toning in conjunction with core workouts, as this will do more for your outdoor cycling than lifting weights alone.
All of this heavily depends on your current level of fitness and muscle tone so each to their own.
my 2 p
