Bike Forums - Personal trainer?

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Quote:

Originally Posted by FLvector (Post 17190956)

If you want to get faster and stronger you should consider getting a cycling coach to guide you. You can read books, do lots of fast group rides, and try to improve your performance. But unless you really understand interval training, you'll likely not structure your workouts to meet your specific goals. A good coach will give you a weekly plan to give you structured workouts to focus on your weaknesses, taking you up the ladder one step at a time. The coach will also guide you on focusing on core exercises, whether in the gym or at home. I've been working with a coach for about 3 months and have enjoyed the structured workouts, rather than just riding hard most of the time, with some random intervals. You also need recovery weeks to improve and take some time off to let the body recover. I'd suggest exploring the coaching if you're serious about getting stronger and faster.

I agree with this. I can read all the literature out there, but I need somebody to really help me structure my workouts. Another poster earlier said my core strength might not even be the issue, and I agree with that. So a cycling coach it is!

I'm somewhat bisased but I would say hire a pro! This way you'll learn what to do as far as exercises go and more improtantly how to do them to get the results uyou're looking for.
No sense in doing an exercise thinking it does one thing when it's for soemthing else.
Also making the best use of your time with doing the exercises that you'll get the most bang for your buck.
It's like the differenec between squating and using a leg press, both do similar things but a squat(when done correctly) is a much better exercise,as you are working core, balance, stabilzers. You will use more energy with squats too. Legpress and the like (smith machine squats) are for the people who can't squat/don't know how too.
They are ego boosters nothing more.
So yes get a pro!

Quote:

Originally Posted by atallen223 (Post 17190404)

I understand what you guys are saying, but I'm not a huge fan of working out at home alone. I need help pushing myself while working out. So I think it would beneficial to have some sort of trainer. Do you think a cycling coach would be the best bet?

We are fortunate to have a trainer who is also a cyclist for my son. If I had to choose I'd go trainer over cycling coach and make sure you tune them in on how the bike works. Per your post - you need the motivation - a trainer will do that. You need to do the exercise correctly.
A cycling coach helps too, but from your description - the trainer is more what you are describing. Maybe make sure from a coach/bike shop you are fit right on the bike and ride correctly, but assuming you do, trainer tend to be more motivational and into your physical development.

DON'T mix advice, add more workouts etc. . I've see too many do what a trainer says, then do what a coach says (and the two don't know the other exists) then add their own and get fried. Follow/coordinate your program so everything you do is part of the overall program.
Right now - my son rides only 2-3 times a week and is in the gym 3X a week. As his trainer is his coach, he makes sure 2 rides are zone 2 and makes him take it easy so he reduces injury/burn-out/sickness risk.