Alternative / Additional training methods

[Stray Cat]

Hey guys

 

Ive been off my bike for about 3 months now as I am currently working in France and of course my fitness has taken a big dive.

But I was thinking today what other training methods could one use to maintain or improve fitness? obviously time in the saddle is the best option, but sometimes due to work commitments etc this is not possible and other times a chabge of training method can do wonders

 

So I was wondering, would the addition of the following training methods make a reasonable difference to your riding fitness etc

 

The first two are pretty obvious as most people incorporate these in their training, but what about the others/

1) Running

2) Spinning

3) Circuit or weight training

4) Cross fit / Kettle bell training

5) Pilates

6) The stepper machine at the gym ( its a bit Ghey, but surely this could help with power and stamina in the legs? )

7)Swimming

 

 

I would appreciate your comments and any other suggestions

 

Cheers

 

PS Good luck to all the guys riding the Argus this weekend

[Chubba]

From my view point, the key to fitness is aerobic activity that increases you hear rate for a sustained period of time. I don't think the activity matters, just as long as your hitting those heart rate zones.

Some exercises would be more strenuous than others and therefore boost your hear rate higher therefore increasing aerobic capacity/fitness.

Edited March 11, 2011 by Chubba

[jannosmit]

Swimming and running is always great (personal experience) if done right gym work can contribute alot eg. core work (don't forget your back), hamstring curls, leg press, squat (i don't like this 1), then upper body aswell, if you don't use protein shakes, you won't gain to much size thats bad for cycling, but will gain strength (personal experience).

 

this is what works with me, others may differ.

 

keep well, cheers

[GF29er]

5) Pilates

 

certainly helped me with climbing.... but not with cardio fitness, for that you would need one of the others. I also found spinning helped as if you do it as hard as possible its a great workout in a short time.

[Me-rider]

Nice topic Stray Cat, I have a similair problem to you so any opinions here will be useful.

 

The way I see it you have to have to be aerobically fit to cycle well. To get your heart rate up is fairly easy, but surely you need to use similar muscles that you use for cyclng in training. *

 

What I me is that you can get your aerobic fitness up by skipping but I would not imagine that will help you when pedaling on bike as you use different muscles. This will result in your legs tiring out despite the fact your lungs are strong?*

 

* Warning: this is not based on any scientific evidence just my humble opinion, so any scientist out there wishing to prove me wrong please do so.

 

I think a good program should have a mix of strength training as well as fitness? Maybe I am biased due to fact I prefer to ride with a lower cadence but put more effort into each pedal stroke.

 

The stepper is only ghey if your legs are shaved and you have an ipod nano in an arm strap.**

 

** Based on scientific proof

[Capricorn]

for cardiovascular/endurance: my personal experience has been with running, swimming, and long rides

for DH, i've found strength training incredibly beneficial, so I hit those weights at least twice a week.

and around all of that, the one thing i do ad nauseum is focused core workouts.

 

I've settled on those four elements: running, swimming, riding, weights and then just varied how and when i do them to keep things interesting.

[Robrider]

Dude, you in France...

 

skiing

snowboarding

ice climbing

xc skiing

snow shoeing...

 

[the_other_guy]

Dude, you in France...

 

skiing

snowboarding

ice climbing

xc skiing

snow shoeing...