Personal trainer?
 

I recently moved to Colorado, and I've been riding a lot more frequently. I'm looking to get faster, but I think a big problem I'm having is my core strength. After an hour or so I start to slouch, and I start to slow down. I'm thinking of hiring a personal trainer to try and strengthen my core. Are there such things as cyclist strength trainers? Or should I just go to a normal personal trainer and explain my goals? Also, what sort of cost am I looking at to really get results over the winter?

I suggest squats, push-ups, burpees and planks. They're free. You don't need a personal trainer.

I'm with chasm54 but I'd add dead lifts.

I will say though that you should learn squats and deads from a certified strength coach.

Yeah I do those, but I don't feel a real difference.

Get a coach. You may be starting with a false premise.

Join a fitness centre and start taking their pilates and other core strength classes.

I think this is a helpful reference: http://t0.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn...Os--s&usqp=CAY

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Well, it SHOULD be....

We're all a little different. Some people respond well to strength building exercises and such... others not so much. You know if you need more (or less) than most.

For me a few calisthenics and some reps with a routine of various exercises using a couple of 25 pound dumbbells make a huge difference. In only about 20 minutes a day. In the off-season I usually workout first thing in the morning, then a 3K walk-run if it's not too icy/cold, then breakfast.

Just figure it out, read, study then do it. Save the money for something important like a bike or some schwag.

What I do in addition to riding.... three times a week I do weights consisting of 3 sets each of leg press, bench press, biceps curl, triceps extension, sit ups with weights, lat pull down, leg extension and chest butterfly with weights, also back extension.
Takes an extra 45 minutes and just makes me feel better.

total body workout,45 mins. squats,bench press,one arm rows,lower back extensions ,chins,shrugs,dumbbell press,barbell curl, tricep extension.

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?

I am trying to work on the most important part of the bike, the fat engine sitting on it.

Just from reading the cyclists training handbook I get the idea that a cyclist might benefit from guidance geared to their activity. I started the anatomical adaption phase suggested in the book, will do 2x a week, then follow the rest of the program probably. The suggested workout is focused more on complex exercises instead of muscle isolation exercises used to build muscles individually for "display" as the author puts it :-).I'm only on my second workout.

If you can afford a cycling coach ... go for it.

If you can't afford a cycling coach ... join a gym and during the initial assessment and program development, included in the price of joining the gym, ensure the person you're working with knows you've got cycling goals in mind.

Do you have a ballpark for the cost of a coach? I am thinking instead of buying another bike, which wouldn't really make me a whole lot faster, I would take that money to try to make the engine stronger.

I'm in Australia.

The price of coaches in my area is probably quite different from the price of coaches in your area.

You'll have to look around and see what, if anything, is available in your area.

Isn't the right answer always buy a new bike?

If you haven't already, you might consider joining a cycling club. They might also be able to point you to a cycling coach.

Well I know the laws of physics. For every lb I save by buying a new bike I go up one cat in racing.

That's a good idea.

Move back to the flat Midwest. Much easier riding than those hilly places in Colorado.

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.

Rates will vary dramatically based on the level of involvement. Some coaches will first discuss you goals and plans, then design a weekly plan for you. You never see them, but can communicate via email, etc. Others will do sprint training, group rides with their team, etc. Just ask some of the bike shops or friends that race to find the level of training you're looking for.