Cross Training With Cycling?

[deluxi]

What's a good exercise or another sport to cross train with cycling?

 

 

 

Should I focus on something that'll build my leg strength or find something to build upper body strength to balance it out?

[linnega]

I find training for Comrades helps my MTB

['Dale]

Yoga is excellent.

 

Deeply trains the body and mind elements.

 

 

 

[TNT1]

I trained once when I was cross. It just made me angry.

[Joe Low]

I trained once when I was cross. It just made me angry.

 

Ya beat me to it - nice shot. Mine was to be.

 

No, but I get cross if I cant train.

 

But the first gag takes all in these situations.

 

[RABUBI]

Must say my legs seem to recover faster I cycle mornings and run a bit i the afternoon.

[jugheaddave]

second the yoga!!!!!!!!

 

 Also a little runing (about 5k's)

 

I also noticed my core strength improved dramatically with a little rock-climbing/bouldering. (but I guess thats probably obvious)

 

[TNT1]

 

 

I also noticed my core strength improved dramatically with a little rock-climbing/bouldering. (but I guess thats probably obvious)

 

 

Frank Vandenbroucke used to do the same in the off season...

 

[Racingsnail]

Lots of the top guys run shorter distances(5k) as cross training. Good running legs seem to help climbing on the bike.

The core is also very important, so core work is vital.

[HappyMartin]

Run twice a week about 6km a time. Gym for leg strength and upper body conditioning also twice a week. The change from the bike is nice actually. After running you figure out why a bike is a good idea!!

[Kiwi]

Running for sure, there was some articles on Bike Radar or some where like that where they mentioned that cyclists who road a lot often had lower bone density due to a lack of impact loading and they rcommended a little running for that reason alone, let alone the cross training benefits.

[ASTANA]

Yep, most riders - MTB Road and actually most other sports recomend a bit of running. 5/6 km's is good. 2-4 times a week. Obviously its a good idea to do a bit of gym conditioning. To strengthen the "other" muscles.

 

Joga or just a good 30-40 min stretch session every second day also helps me alot. Loosen up tight hamstrings, calfs, hip flexors and lower back, also quads.

 

A bit of swimming also helps to build leg indurance and also helps with a bit of lower leg strength and flexability.

 

What I find most rewarding is lower back strengthening in combination with core strength and then also and obviously tricep strength - this makes long rides so much better.

 

I also do a bit of climbing now and again.

 

I agree - Running makes you appriciate your bike so much more

 

[Azonic]

I'm training for Ironman. Running does make your cycling stronger, but it doesn't work the other way around. Cycling does nothing for your running. Sucks.

[JohnnyReggae]

I'd say (with much bias) that Unicycling would be an excellent cross-training option. Work on your core strength, sense of balance, and will give you a killer workout more so than any other cycling as there is no rest.

[AndreZA]

Has anybody tried incorporating skipping into their x-training session? I did the other morning and I got a harder workout in 3 minutes then I did in the 30 minute run I did just before it.

[ASTANA]

 

I'd say (with much bias) that Unicycling would be an excellent cross-training option. Work on your core strength' date=' sense of balance, and will give you a killer workout more so than any other cycling as there is no rest.

[/quote']

 

No, its still the same leg movements. The idea is to change the working muscles in the leg to strengthen the muscles that plays a support role to the ones you mainly use for cycling.

 

Too much of one thing leads to overuse injuries. Mix it up and your sorted.