Originally Posted by
Flak
Considering the overwhelming majority of this forum are weekend warriors and club riders, i don't understand the aversion to weights. If you're trying to break into the top CATs or something and need the extra edge then fine, but for everyone else, the puny upper body might make you slightly faster on Wednesday nights, but it's a liability the rest of the time.
I'm not adverse to weight lifting. What I think a number of people, including myself, try to dispel is the idea that doing a lot of intense work for your legs is going to make you faster on the bike.
Personally, I try to do core all year long. I also try to do a limited upper body workout a couple of times a week all year.
But I'm doing the upper body workout more out of vanity, and general fitness considerations than to be fast on the bike. And for me I have enough weight to lose that I'm not sure that adding a little upper body muscle mass isn't about a wash to the extent it burns fat.
I do strongly believe, based on my personal experience, and all the coaching I've got, lifting for your legs past the base phase will hurt your cycling.