Getting stronger legs
Discussion
hora said:
Ok first off- its not possible to 'ride more'.
Where I live its flat as a pancake for miles.
At the weekend I rode some proper hills. A 1st gear car climb- my lungs were fine on but my quads were struggling.
So- hit the gym and/or roller trainer?
What should I be doing at the gym?
In my experience cycling is not that complicated, if you can go to the gym you can ride your bike and if you are not out of breath going up hill you are not trying hard enough. The more you do the faster you go, as others have said you could do with losing some weight Where I live its flat as a pancake for miles.
At the weekend I rode some proper hills. A 1st gear car climb- my lungs were fine on but my quads were struggling.
So- hit the gym and/or roller trainer?
What should I be doing at the gym?
hora said:
Ride more (winter/dark nights post-work).... So turbo trainers- which one(s) should I be looking at? Best v price? I'll set it up in the spare room infront of the TV 
Budget?If you want the best overall set-up (IMO) then you want a Kinetic, they do one with a power meter now but i'd be tempted to stick with a Powertap wheel which gives you indoor/outdoor training.
Or, another good solution is the Kickr, a mate has one and raves about it. Lots of functionality but not exactly cheap. I don't know how it 'feels' so can't comment. What I do know is that it's probably the one that will push you hardest as it has a variable level of resistance that you can apply at any cadence.
Into crazy town now Ciclotte, if you already have the house by the lake then......
However. I used to use (and still have) an Elite mag trainer that had no bells or whistles and it was a case of get on it watch a Sufferfest and get off. I would probably recommend that first and see how it goes. I was doing 3hr sessions on the Kinetic, I doubt I would have on the Elite. I'd love a Kickr but honestly I have all I need in what I have...unless I see one cheap!
In all cases the key IMO is the workout you do. I quickly got bored of just making sessions up, Sufferfest vids are cheap and I find them pretty good. When I compare the efforts to some of the plans I have seen from coaches I would go as far as to say they are just as good as long as you are honest with yourself and ride them to the numbers
HTH
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 17th October 11:26
My 2p.
It's nothing to do with leg strength. That helps, of course, in many situations, but it is all about fitness for me. Certainly in terms of overall riding. If your riding correctly the strength will come but if your training correctly, in my opinion, it won't be your legs that give way first.
To that end, there is no substitute to riding your bike.
It's nothing to do with leg strength. That helps, of course, in many situations, but it is all about fitness for me. Certainly in terms of overall riding. If your riding correctly the strength will come but if your training correctly, in my opinion, it won't be your legs that give way first.
To that end, there is no substitute to riding your bike.
julianm said:
If you want a fast `10` come up to Yorkshire to the V718 - it has a couple of cuttings & drags & you need a bit of an easterly breeze to get you home at top speed. I`ll get you a cup of tea & a bun!
Yes I did the national ten on it, well a very slight variation of it a month back (16th with 18.46, but annoying was hoping for better) Bit of a drive for me on a regular basis. pablo said:
To be honest, you dont really need a gym but if you are already a member of one, they should have a leg press/extension machine which will be great. You can either do short reps of heavy weights or longer reps of lighter weights. Personally I went with short reps of heavy weights and found it really beneficial.The advantage of teh leg press is if you change the position of your feet on the board, you work your quads or your calves/hamstrings
I also found Step training quite effective but dont use a step machine, just find a reasonable height step somewhere, about 10 inches, and go up and down it as fast as you can for a few minutes.
Aren't the same muscles worked in doing squats? But more other muscles with squats.I also found Step training quite effective but dont use a step machine, just find a reasonable height step somewhere, about 10 inches, and go up and down it as fast as you can for a few minutes.
pablo said:
TKF said:
Then I reckon he'll want a good aerobic engine.
Who do you reckon would be quicker over 100 miles on a bike? Bolt or Farah?
I dont know, its like asking whether Wiggo could beat Contador at Badminton? I get your point but your analogy is rubbish. They excel in what they train to do but if you think Bolt has no aerobic capacity becuase he is a sprinter you are wrong. They will both have a incredibly efficient respiratory capability. Bolt has often said he is moving up the distances and has already posted some very fast 400m times. Who do you reckon would be quicker over 100 miles on a bike? Bolt or Farah?
hora said:
2/3kg heavier bike? Well I'm personally lighter.....
I'd be interested to see how I fair riding tomorrow.
I measured myself in July (no shoes) post-gym at 15stone5lb/97.8kg's BMI 28.0
Post last weeks illness I weighed myself again last night at the gym (same digital machine)- 14stone12lb/94.4 BMI 27.
Crash diets work (well they only work if you change your eating habits too).
Thats good going!! I'd be interested to see how I fair riding tomorrow.
I measured myself in July (no shoes) post-gym at 15stone5lb/97.8kg's BMI 28.0
Post last weeks illness I weighed myself again last night at the gym (same digital machine)- 14stone12lb/94.4 BMI 27.
Crash diets work (well they only work if you change your eating habits too).
hora said:
2/3kg heavier bike? Well I'm personally lighter.....
I'd be interested to see how I fair riding tomorrow.
I measured myself in July (no shoes) post-gym at 15stone5lb/97.8kg's BMI 28.0
Post last weeks illness I weighed myself again last night at the gym (same digital machine)- 14stone12lb/94.4 BMI 27.
Crash diets work (well they only work if you change your eating habits too).
Im a very similar weight/size and trying to get down to 14st ish. Doesnt seem to be coming off quite as quickly....I'd be interested to see how I fair riding tomorrow.
I measured myself in July (no shoes) post-gym at 15stone5lb/97.8kg's BMI 28.0
Post last weeks illness I weighed myself again last night at the gym (same digital machine)- 14stone12lb/94.4 BMI 27.
Crash diets work (well they only work if you change your eating habits too).
hora said:
Really? I tried a few of theirs and found them quite sweet. The royal blue one seems to mostly oats. will have a read now on the box. What Muesli do you recommend instead?
Edit- 17gm out of 100gm is actual sugar.
I was only going off the one I saw my Mrs eating, not sure which one it was.Edit- 17gm out of 100gm is actual sugar.
Edited by hora on Tuesday 21st October 09:56
Oats
hora said:
Really? I tried a few of theirs and found them quite sweet. The royal blue one seems to mostly oats. will have a read now on the box. What Muesli do you recommend instead?
Edit- 17gm out of 100gm is actual sugar.
Make your own porridge and add a banana while cooking and a handful of Sultanas great pre-ride breakfast as well!Edit- 17gm out of 100gm is actual sugar.
Edited by hora on Tuesday 21st October 09:56
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