The Training Guidelines For Strength

Strength training improves the core strength of the sportsman thereby enhancing endurance.

Some sportsmen seem to have misconception about enhancing strength training because it might lead to increase of their body weight. A rise in body mass need not diminish cardiovascular performance. Practical experience shows that strength training increases aerobic capacity of the practitioner and strengthens the leg muscles for pedaling on the bicycle. The main advantages are developing bone mineral density, improving connectivity in muscle tissues, enhancing lactate threshold and preventing injuries due to over exertion.

A cyclist has to do the circular motion of his legs on the pedals for long distances and hours. Certain muscle groups are not properly toned to take the stress and they give way leading to injuries. The muscle imbalance results in the hip region and thighs due to the pedaling by the legs. This imbalance is corrected when the cyclist performs strength training, which concentrates on the hamstring muscle group. Thus a proper strength ratio and optimal joint stability are maintained. It is the bone in the body that is responsible for weight bearing activities.

MTB Training

So, appropriate exercises are incorporated in the strength training program for effecting bone development. These exercises require the involvement of different muscle groups and have been designed so as to simulate the cycling motion. The practitioner is advised to workout both left and right sides of his body individually and not in combination. These exercises have to be practiced on alternate days in the week. The warm up workouts should be done before this strength training and followed by cooling down sessions. The basic aim of strength training is to consolidate the core strength of the body. The pelvic region, the calf muscles and the hamstrings are given repetitive movements because they play a major role during cycling.

Run Training

The cyclist should lie flat on his back with his knees bent and feet flat on the ground near the buttocks. By pressing the hands on the floor and contracting the pelvic muscles, the back is raised up to two inches above the floor and returned back to the original position for many number of times. In the raised position of the back, the alternate foot is raised few inches and lowered. This exercise is repeated 10 times with each foot. In the same raised position of the back, instead of raising the foot, it is straightened alternately in the same number of times. With one knee held near the chest, the other leg is stretched to the maximum and the exercise is repeated by interchanging the legs. The number of repetitions is tentative and depends on the individual’s endurance of pain.

This exercise is slightly difficult but has more advantages for the back muscles. The practitioner lies on his stomach with his arms stretched above his head. Here, he has to raise opposing arm and leg (left arm- right leg) for 5 seconds and lower them. He has to change position of the limbs. The next exercise will be to stand on the two hands and knees and repeat the earlier workout. Crunch exercises improve abdominal muscles. The cyclist has to lie on his back with his hands folded below his head. Tightening his abdominal muscles, he should raise his head and shoulders a few inches above the ground and slowly lower. This can be repeated as many times as possible by the participant. This exercise can be slightly varied to improvise the tone of the muscle groups.