Training & Nutrition - exercise to compliment cycling

Recently I have gotten involved with a karate class, now I decided to take the class simply because I figured it would be benificial to my cycling, but I was curious what other exercising do you guys do to help your cycling training. I've heard good things about weight lifting and running, but what is the most benificial to cycling? :)


(600th post :fun: )

Depends on your goals and current fitness level. I personally think weights are the most beneficial. I am not an endurance cyclist and relay on pure power to cycle through a lot of things I ride. So strength is a big key for me. :)

I'm into cross country skiing in the winter, but you probably can't do that in Vegas, right?:D

running seems to be giving me good results, I get less winded on hard sprints since I started running, even though I have been cycling much less than my usual amount in that same time (winter you know). :D

I'm not sure about running, helping bike riding, maybe it helps you with your wind.
I find that yoga it the best. that and swimming. weight lifting
helps. but the best is more bike riding

rowing..its 80%legs, running for cardio and general healthy weight, lifting weights and rollerblading if you are in vegas.. good for the adductors.. cycling doesn't strengthen that part of your thigh too well.
i mix it up but rowing and running are a close second to biking for me.

Depends on your purpose.

You can do exercises that hit other parts of your body that bicycling doesn't help much. Crunches and weight training are good here.

Now if you are talking about enhancing bicycle performance that is another story.

Generally, anything that hits your cardiovascular system will enhance your cycling especially if the legs are involved. Cycling is better but if you can't cycle every day and you hate trainers, something is better than nothing. Stair climbing, running, jogging, walking, rowing, cross country skiing, aerobics, etc.

Originally posted by knobbymojo
running seems to be giving me good results, I get less winded on hard sprints since I started running, even though I have been cycling much less than my usual amount in that same time (winter you know). :D

Skate or regular. I was seriously looking into xc skiing this year but ran out of money upgrading my bike :D...I really want to try skate.

question : what does cycling do for your abs. & other midrifd muscles? i seem to remember in the forces laying on our backs cycling in the air to strengthen our stomach muscles along with the endless push ups .

Cycling is a great cardio vascular exercise but has limited strength benefits. It's better than nothing though.

I believe that doing anything that works different muscle groups or works your muscles in a different way is benefitial. Achieving balanced strength is a good goal.

How many of us *really* have the ability to be elite cyclists? Less than 1% I'm betting. How many of us cycle, at least in some part for the fitness benefit? Most I'm guessing. Wouldn't that mean more than having strong legs and heart muscles?

So rather than have a sunken chest and arms the size of Popeye's girlfriend Olive Oyle work the other parts of your machine.

Originally posted by Maelstrom
Skate or regular. I was seriously looking into xc skiing this year but ran out of money upgrading my bike :D...I really want to try skate.

Maelstrom, did you hit the wrong quote? I'm assuming you're refering to skiing? I'm doing "regular", (usually referred to as "classic"). I'd like to try skate too, but the equipment is a little more expensive, and you can't do it on all the trails. I've heard it's a real good workout though.

I'm not really sure if it's beneficial to cycling per se, but I supplement my cycling with daily push-ups & crunches and some weight training 3 x per week... just to get a more balanced workout....

~Michael~

Indoor rower for me. Works the whole body. I also powerlift for str.

Sam