Winter training

[curtisl]

As the nights are drawing in, the roads are wetter and the nights are colder, I am thinking of replacing my mid week evening rides with gym sessions and keeping the weekends for a nice long ride. I started this Monday and have done three gym sessions so far. I used to go to the gym a bit before riding pretty much took over so I know my way round a bit.

Can anyone recommend any routines or circuits that would benefit my riding. I have started this week with sets of squats, calf raises and cardio and then mixing up lower back and core/abdominal. The thing is, I really dont fancy and whole winter of squats. They are not the most enjoyable of reps!

[gazza285]

Cyclocross?

[curtisl]

I'm training for road riding, general speed and hill climbing. Hopefully I can drop a few pounds with the cardio that will help me fighting gravity and also have a bit more leg and lung stamina.

[Roman]

Spinning, circuits & body pump classes as well as cross trainer and Concept II rowing machines.

[okgo]

You don't get better at cycling by not cycling.

Almost nothing you do will help in any meaningful way apart from riding. So I would go to the gym and ride the bikes they have if you really don't want to ride outside.

Sure the core stuff is good, but there is no replacement for the bike, and sadly there are very few shortcuts, to get better you have to do more, and the better you get the more you can do.

[Jimbo.]

As st and boring as they can be, turbo trainer or rollers.

[curtisl]

I'm surprised that there's no off the bike alternative. Having just one bike, I didn't fancy taking it through the demands of winter. Looks like it'll be spin classes and trimming up then. At least I can lay off the squats!!