Cycling UK Forum

Richard36 wrote:Why do you need to go to a gym? You don't and I never said you did. I said that the clients I have were gym goers and have now found a way to get some of the upper body stimulation that 'they' were after - without having to pay gym fees.

From the outset of this thread I’ve wondered how from standing on the pedals does it improve core strength or as you now describe as stimulation.
Apologies in advance if I’ve missed it but don’t think I’ve yet seen an explanation. I still can’t see how it’s different to just standing up or walking.

Paulatic wrote:

Richard36 wrote:Why do you need to go to a gym? You don't and I never said you did. I said that the clients I have were gym goers and have now found a way to get some of the upper body stimulation that 'they' were after - without having to pay gym fees.

From the outset of this thread I’ve wondered how from standing on the pedals does it improve core strength or as you now describe as stimulation.
Apologies in advance if I’ve missed it but don’t think I’ve yet seen an explanation. I still can’t see how it’s different to just standing up or walking.

Well the comparison would probably be between standing pedaling v sitting (with regards core activation) though you can make comparisons with walking of uou would like to.

With sitting down pedalling we are essentially in an adult fetal position. Our core is very largely switched off, as sew our glutes. We can try and optimise our sittinf position to attend out the back but whits would be more due to the arms, lower and upper back pushing into a better position and would not do much for the anterior core.

When standing with the weight further forwards - closer to shoulders over hands - we use our core to both laterally flex us (a little, so the bike moves side to side as we balance) and to resist too much lateral flexion (when you see people flopping about from side to side).

When we stand our upper and mid backs are switched on (hard not have them on) and required to maintain this positon by pulling us upright. We are also using our quads to extend the knee and the glutes (assisted by hamstrings) to extend the hip.

In this position with the upper/mid back AND the muscles around the hip all on, it is very hard to have the core musculature in between, turned off.

Richard

Reporting back on this:

Two clients both improved times on local hill climb AND coastal cycle route (only recorded on days with similar conditions - wind direction/strength/time of day etc).

Like I said before - not for everyone, but good results this far.

My point about getting a work out for the upper body being wrong is that its poor cycling technique.Possibly you may engage some muscles but you shouldn't be. Watch a decent climber, their bodies don't move except at the very limit.

mattsccm wrote:My point about getting a work out for the upper body being wrong is that its poor cycling technique.Possibly you may engage some muscles but you shouldn't be. Watch a decent climber, their bodies don't move except at the very limit.

I totally agree that you shouldn't set out to move side to side. I didn't suggest that you do. Holding yourself still takes strength.
Having your shoulders over your hands for prolonged periods of time takes strength accross the upperbody.

Once again, nor for everyone....but as a way of engaging more lower and upperbody muscles it works. Not to mention that standup pedalling is often a weak area for people due to lack of core, glute, hamstring and upperbody strength.

Richard

Richard36 wrote:Reporting back on this:

Two clients both improved times on local hill climb AND coastal cycle route (only recorded on days with similar conditions - wind direction/strength/time of day etc).

Like I said before - not for everyone, but good results this far.

I'm still very dubious as to your conclusions, better technique and improved fitness will almost inevitably improve performance, simply riding a route more quickly is no endorsement.

foxyrider wrote:I am still very dubious as to your conclusions, better technique and improved fitness will almost inevitably improve performance, simply riding a route more quickly is no endorsement.

That's ok, I appreciate you being honest and writing back. I am not here to make anyone try anything, just feeding back the results I have seen.

Richard

I wouldn't be any sort of expert but having cycled for many years my core is strong and tight muscle wise .. These days I don't stand much but always noticed that when one does there's a whole different amount of breath required, I marvel at the pure climbers who seem to be able to do it for many uphill miles .... of course many of them while strong are wee men 5 foot and a fag end , 8 st dripping wet.... whole different game when you are twice that weight , 10inches taller and probably the most significant part.. 40 years older.. I often wonder will they still be cycling at all at my age... will

A few weeks ago, I serviced a bike for a friend.
Lubed, checked it out, adjusted etc etc etc ....... you know the sort of thing.

Any road up, I rode it back to them and there was a hill or two involved. Not far to ride, only two or three miles. Not an MTB or a racer but an average common or garden bike.

Came to the second hill, and I had to get out of the saddle and grind my way up it.
Sitting in the saddle was hard on the legs due to the geometry of the bike itself - not the gearing - so up I got and stood on the pedals.

No problem whatsoever, but it's not something I do normally on my bikes as there's no need to.

I'm convinced that standing on the pedals out of the saddle is a geometry thing that's necessary on some bikes.