Training & Nutrition - continuing weights through summer

Anybody continue weight training during the summer.I mainly do road racing with the odd TT for training.I usually go to the gym during the winter, but I find I nearly stop all weight training during the summer especially the legs as I find I can't find any day to do them.My Monday and Friday are my rest days and I've tried even doing a light couple of sets but feel to sluggish the next day in doing so, so I just stop leg work completely.

Try to do a little bit, mainly core work and concentrate more on the bike.Anybody do any leg work during the summer?

Last sumer I did, it worked well most of the time - club rides an' such. But.... I did learn the hard way, when a major ride/event is close allow more recovery time. For myself, I must be careful to get enough GOOD nutrition and sleep to keep up w/ the exercise.

I lift all year, but then I think I'm so used to it I wouldn't feel right if I quite.

Joe

Anybody continue weight training during the summer.I mainly do road racing with the odd TT for training.I usually go to the gym during the winter, but I find I nearly stop all weight training during the summer especially the legs as I find I can't find any day to do them.My Monday and Friday are my rest days and I've tried even doing a light couple of sets but feel to sluggish the next day in doing so, so I just stop leg work completely.
i think you're right on.

i concentrate on lifting legs in the winter - a little in fall and maybe some in spring depending on my training program and season timing.

during the summer i NEVER weight train for legs as i ride 5-7 days a week --- and riding that much the weight training won't help and could lead to overtraining.

i do continue to do _some_ upper body lifting in the summer, but it gets reduced from 1-4 times/week in the winter to maybe once a week, more like once every 2-3 weeks.

i do the upper body mostly for my general health, although as a mountain biker it is also important (particularly triceps for handling and back for injury prevention)

if you're doing a lot of riding (racing, long touring or training) i would recommend NO leg weights during your riding season. although you should be able to tell: if you're on a 4 or 5 day ride schedule you won't be able to lift for legs, take 1 to 2 days off (maybe light spinning) AND do hard cycle training where you will also need 1-2 rest days afterwards.

my leg weight training was planned to go until the end of February, but as i injured my knee ski jumping 3 weeks it disrupted my weight training, so i am extending another 2-4 weeks... tonight is my leg-lift training (mon upperbody lifting + spinning, tues 2hr ride, wed legs, thur rest, fri long ride, sat cross-training like ski tour, sun long ride).

that said, although it is a controversial topic (whether cyclists should weight-train in the winter) i *DO* think it is very important. but ONLY when you are not in serious training mode (i.e. only winter) --- i also leave about 2 months a year for full rest and recouperation (usually Nov and Dec or Dec and Jan -- xmas is a good relaxation time)

I found that the fitness gains I get from strength training (specifically lifting weights) are lost if I don't continue lifting. I will lift right up to a week before my goal event(s).

Last season I tried a reduced volume whole-body routine that worked pretty well. It's three different workouts but because of the reduced volume (2-4 sets/exercise) I never felt so thrashed I couldn't do the "fast ride" with the club.

1- Squats, Shrugs, Dips, DB lateral/front raises, hammer curls
2-Bench, Leg ext, Low Cable Row, Bent Raise, DB curl
3-Pull-ups, Leg Curls, Incline Bench, Shoulder Press, EZ curl

I was pleased with the results I had last year. I was able do the riding volume I wanted, see positive progression in performance and mitigate de-conditioning that I've experienced in the past when I've reduced or eliminated strength training from my fitness program. I'm going to try it again this year with the goal of improving my personal best in the Kilo & Pursuit on the track and my 40K TT on the road. At 42 I'm well past my peak but it's fun to try.

Has anyone seen the book "Power to the People" by Pavel Tsatsouline? He offers a very simple strength routine which should leave energy for most of your other activities.

I lift year-round, have for about 12 years now.

But, I don't compete in ANYTHING!! Just ride for enjoyment.