Top 9 Strength Exercises For Cyclists

In the pursuit of marginal gains, cyclists are constantly pushing the boundaries to enhance their performance. While cycling itself remains the cornerstone for overall fitness and skill development, a growing number of cyclists are incorporating targeted gym workouts to amplify their capabilities. Whether your goal is a dominating sportive finish or thriving in local club rides, the following exercises are tailored to bolster your strength, power, and proficiency on the bike.

1. Dynamic Lunges

Lunges stand out as an excellent exercise for cyclists aiming to fortify their on-bike strength. With a focus on the lower body, targeting the hips, quads, and hamstrings, lunges offer simplicity and effectiveness, making them ideal for home workouts. Embrace variations like weighted and walking lunges for added challenge while maintaining proper form and posture.

Workout: Execute three sets of 10 reps with a 45-second rest between sets. Begin by stepping forward with your right leg, ensuring the trailing left leg nearly touches the floor. Maintain alignment and prevent knee extension beyond the toes. Alternate legs for a comprehensive workout.

Essential Technique: Prioritize spine alignment, keep the core straight, shoulders back, and eyes forward to ensure balance and prevent injury.

 

2. Kettlebell Swing

An explosive, full-body exercise, the kettlebell swing is a powerhouse for improving endurance and strengthening the pedal stroke. Mastering the correct technique is key to maximizing its benefits.

Workout: Perform three sets of 15 reps with a 90-second rest between sets. Select a comfortable weight, stand with feet hip-width apart, and execute a fluid motion, emphasizing full hip extension on the upward swing.

Essential Technique: Engage thighs, tighten the core, and activate glutes during the lift, ensuring a controlled motion.

 

3. Deadlifts

Contrary to common apprehensions, deadlifts are an indispensable compound exercise for cyclists, activating the legs, back, and core muscles. Proper form is crucial for harnessing its potential.

Workout: Complete four sets of eight reps with a 45-second rest between sets. Maintain shoulder-width stance, squat down to grip the barbell, and lift with a steady, fluid motion, emphasizing proximity to the body.

Essential Technique: Initiate with a light load to perfect technique, avoiding jerky movements. Lift with a steady, controlled motion, focusing on tension against the weights.

 

4. Dynamic Burpees

Burpees, a dynamic full-body exercise, offer versatility for training multiple muscle groups, elevating heart rate, and burning calories—a boon for bike fitness.

Workout: Execute three sets of 10 reps with a one-minute rest between sets. Incorporate a squat, push-up, and jump, with variations to intensify the challenge.

Essential Technique: Experiment with variations, such as adding a push-up, to keep the exercise engaging and effective.

 

5. Compound Squats

Squats, despite their apparent simplicity, are a cornerstone exercise for cyclists, engaging major leg muscles, enhancing flexibility, and fostering athletic movement.

Workout: Perform three sets of 10 reps with a 90-second rest between sets. Maintain a shoulder-width stance, lower into a squat, and rise, ensuring feet remain flat on the floor.

Essential Technique: Progress to weighted squats cautiously after mastering the technique. Whether with a barbell or kettlebells, prioritize proper form.

 

6. Pull-ups

While pull-ups may not seem immediately bike-specific, they play a vital role in developing back and arm strength, essential for a balanced cycling physique. Start with assisted variations and gradually progress to more challenging techniques.

Workout: If lifting your body weight is challenging, begin with assisted pull-ups using resistance bands or try jumping pull-ups. Experiment with grip variations for a comprehensive workout.

Essential Technique: Focus on a controlled raise and lower, avoiding unnecessary body swings. Prioritize mastering proper technique over attempting strenuous variations too soon.

 

7. Plank Variations

Planks, a surprisingly demanding full-body exercise, are instrumental in strengthening the core, upper body, and enhancing willpower—a crucial asset for cyclists seeking stability and balance.

Workout: Begin with a standard plank and progress to advanced variations. Hold the plank position for as long as possible, engaging core, shoulder, back, and leg muscles. Repeat three times.

Essential Technique: Maintain a straight line from head to feet, emphasizing core engagement. Experiment with plank variations, gradually increasing difficulty.

 

8. Glute Bridge

The glute bridge, a seemingly simple yet effective exercise, targets muscles essential for maintaining a low cycling position comfortably. Beyond strength, it aids in stretching tight muscles around the hips and lower back.

Workout: Lie flat on the floor, bend your legs at a 90-degree angle, and drive through your heels to lift your hips. Hold and gradually lower for three sets of 15 reps with a one-minute rest between sets.

Essential Technique: Avoid rushing through repetitions. Focus on holding the position at the peak of the lift, squeezing the glutes for maximum benefit.

 

9. Overhead Press

Adding the overhead press to your strength training routine can contribute significantly to overall upper body strength, stability, and posture. This exercise targets the shoulder muscles and triceps, which can be beneficial for maintaining a strong and controlled upper body position while cycling.

Workout: Incorporate three sets of 12 reps with a 60-second rest between sets. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, press the weights overhead from shoulder level, and lower them back down with control.

Essential Technique: Keep a neutral spine, engage your core, and avoid arching your back during the movement. Start with a manageable weight and gradually increase as your strength improves.

Including the overhead press in your routine will not only enhance your on-bike performance but also contribute to a well-rounded and balanced strength training program.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is strength training for cyclists?
Strength training for cyclists is a structured and targeted exercise regimen designed to enhance the muscular strength and endurance of key muscle groups involved in cycling. The primary goal is to improve overall performance, increase power output, prevent injuries, and support the specific demands of cycling. Strength training typically involves exercises that focus on the lower body, core, and, to a certain extent, the upper body. It aims to build not only strength but also muscular balance and stability.

Common components of strength training for cyclists include exercises like squats, lunges, deadlifts, leg presses, and core-specific workouts. These exercises help cyclists generate more force during pedal strokes, climb hills efficiently, and maintain a stable and controlled riding posture.

 

What are the Olympic lifts for cyclists?
Olympic lifts are a set of dynamic and explosive weightlifting exercises that can benefit cyclists by improving power, speed, and overall strength. While not all Olympic lifts may be directly applicable to cycling, some can be beneficial:

Power Clean: This lift involves quickly lifting a barbell from the ground to the shoulders in one explosive motion, engaging the hips, legs, and upper body. It can enhance the ability to generate power in the pedal stroke.

Snatch: The snatch involves lifting a barbell from the ground to overhead in a single, swift motion. It requires explosive power and engages multiple muscle groups, contributing to overall strength and coordination.

While these Olympic lifts can be effective for cyclists, it’s essential to ensure proper technique and gradually incorporate them into a comprehensive strength training program.

 

What is the best exercise to strengthen legs for cycling?
Several exercises can effectively strengthen the legs for cycling. One of the best exercises is the squat. Squats work the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and lower back—muscles crucial for powerful pedal strokes and overall cycling performance. Proper squat technique involves standing with feet shoulder-width apart, lowering the body by bending the knees and hips, and then rising back to the starting position.

Additionally, lunges are highly effective for targeting specific muscles used in cycling, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. Variations like walking lunges and weighted lunges can add variety and intensity.

 

Do pro cyclists lift weights?
Yes, many professional cyclists incorporate weight training into their overall training regimen. While the primary focus of a cyclist’s training is often on the bike, strength training, including weightlifting, has become increasingly common among professional cyclists. Weight training helps pro cyclists:

Build Power: Strength training enhances the ability to generate force, crucial for powerful pedal strokes, sprinting, and climbing.

Prevent Injuries: Strengthening supporting muscles reduces the risk of overuse injuries common in cycling.

Improve Endurance: Well-rounded strength can contribute to better endurance and sustained performance over long rides.

The specific weightlifting routines may vary among cyclists, with emphasis on exercises that address individual weaknesses or imbalances. It’s important to note that weight training for cyclists should be carefully integrated into their overall training plan to avoid overtraining and fatigue.

 

Final Words – Top 9 Strength Exercises For Cyclists

Incorporating these nine strength-building exercises into your training regimen can significantly elevate your cycling performance. Whether you’re striving for a podium finish or enhancing your enjoyment on local rides, the comprehensive approach of these exercises will fortify your muscles, improve power, and contribute to a well-rounded cyclist’s fitness profile.