Altimis

Hey guys, I am curious.

First thing first, excuse my English, its not my mother languages.

A little background of me: I used to be fatty guy weighted for around 99kgs (218 pounds) 2 years ago. Now I manage to get faster, ride better and longer, also weighted down to 71kgs (156 pounds). My legs obvious getting big (or its just usual big but fat just gone, whatever).

So to the point: I can not do a single PUSH UP, I think I have weak arms and back, I dunno. I can't do PULL UP too even I am 28kgs lighter than before, still can't perform a good single PULL UP . . .

Its make me wonder, as "Athlete" point of view, if you can't even do PUSH UP and PULL UP, its mean you are so weak at the base strength.

Yes, you can getting faster by riding more, if you want to ride fast, do ride fast, not strength training but I wonder if I have base strength, will my performance better? or Bicycling is so difference that strength training is meaningless ?

I want to ask everyone here too, can you guys do Push Up and Pull Up? because I can't and I think I need to build my base strength from now on.

So I want to know if these training will not be waste of time and back to "ride more".

Oh, in case you guys wonder why I do cycling, I just loved it, nothing more, the more I ride, more I love it.

I just find the way to improve my cycling without spending those fancy equipment on bike. That's all

Machka 

I lift weights and work on my core so that I am more comfortable on long distance rides.

BloomBikeShop

Yes. Build up your base strength - in your entire body. You'll be more comfortable and feel better/stronger. And it will help prevent injury!

Carbonfiberboy 

At 72 and 147 lbs., I can do a "marine pushup" meaning I can clap my hands. Probably 20 regular good-form pushups. Pull-ups? I don't know 'cause I never try. Probably some. Triceps work is more important for preventing cycling fatigue IME. Also some upper shoulder work, all the various dumbbell flyes, for preventing neck and upper back fatigue.

Here's the BF thread I started on this topic:
https://www.bikeforums.net/training-n...e-athlete.html

Altimis

Thanks for input, guys! Now I am working with upper body strength training, doing negative chin up and pathetic knees push up (use your knee instead of foots lol)

I been doing this for 1 month now, I feel so great, my out of saddle is breeze! almost no side to side, no too much unnecessary movements.

AND BIG WIN, I feel more comfort!! its hard to explains, I feel so breeze, my weights also dropped as well, maybe its help overall or maybe I just expect something in return, I dunno lol

NOTE : I used to be guy that CAN NOT do regular push up and any upper body weight workout. Simple put, I hate everything about go outside and play football, basketball, running, swimming blah blah, used to be guy that hate workout until I find Bicycling is so much fun and I keep ride it everyday. I simple riding a lot and getting better that way but its seems like I miss "solid base". Now I am so happy!

BloomBikeShop

Yay!

OBoile

When asking about strength, it's important to clarify whether you are asking about what is needed for optimal performance in a sport vs what is needed for general health. These often aren't the same. Training to excel in competition is often quite different than training for health. For some sports (like long distance running or cycling) it's better to be weaker in certain areas than you would be for general health. For other sports (say, shot put or American football) it's better to be stronger.

In cycling, you don't need much upper body strength. As others have said, just enough that you can ride long distances without getting fatigued (which could lead to an injury) and perhaps strengthening some specific muscle groups in order to prevent potential injuries. But, beyond that, it starts to be less effective and any excess muscle mass is a hindrance as it is simply extra weight you have to carry up climbs.

For general health, you should try for more size/strength in the upper body. Keep in mind people tend to get weaker with age, so now is the time to build up a good base of strength. I'm not sure what the optimal value is, as this would depend on a number of factors (you natural build, how well you tolerate strength training) but I would say it's as strong as possible without inviting a significant injury risk from training and without significantly detracting from other fitness qualities. Certainly, if you can't do 20 push-ups and maybe 8 pull-ups fairly easily as a young man, you're pretty weak from a health perspective. Also, lower body strength probably matters more than upper-body from health reasons.

Most pro cyclists are very weak in their upper body as they (obviously) value performance over health. How strong you should be will depend on your priorities.

berner

Well done Altimis. Being stronger overall is helpful on the bike and it is now well established by the medical profession that your bones will also be stronger.

noglider 

I've been cycling all my life and never really liked any other sports. I started lifting weights a couple of years ago, and I'm healthier, stronger, and I'm much stronger on the bike now.