What Muscles Does Cycling Develop

[Psamathe]

Or rather, does it help strengthen stomach muscles.

The other weekend I decided to take my sailing dinghy out for a race - not used it for ages and good forecast, decent race, etc. Wind turned out to be a bit stronger than expected and I ended-up having to hike out a lot of the time. My dinghy (a Laser https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_(dinghy)) to keep it powered-up (fast) many points of sailing you hike- put your feet under a strap in the middle of the boat, thighs rest on the side decks and bum and body hang out over the side and to get max. performance (it was a race) you should keep your body horizontal. Illustrated (from Improper course http://www.impropercourse.com/2013/03/everything-i-know-about-hiking-benches.html) .

It gets hard on your stomach muscles and as I had not been out for ages I expected to really suffer and end-up sitting up most of the time. But I found I was managing exceptionally well. My stomach muscles should have been pretty weak but were not.

So, does cycling develop your stomach muscles ?

Ian

[Heltor Chasca]

Ian in my experience with sailing, your stomach muscles are extremely uneconomical and will rid you of energy quickly. Particularly beating upwind on a Laser 1 which you need to keep flat to be fast up wind. They have lots of power in the rig which is tricky to de-power as easily as some of the more modern rigs. Obviously not as important running or reaching.

I was trained to use my thighs when hiking out rather than the stomach. I could go for hours without too much physical effort. It sounds to me that's what you either knew to do or your body is 'smart' and balanced itself out without much thinking about. Chances are due to your cycling your thighs are strong too. And I'm guessing you didn't use your stomach as much as you thought you did.

I think you were naturally doing the right thing. Good work...b

[IanH]

I can't answer this question directly, but I recently returned to tennis after a 10 year break. I've been cycling throughout this time, but a tennis match revealed loads of aches and pains from muscles that had clearly enjoyed a long break. I could hardly move for 48 hours after playing tennis! I'm pleased to say the effort has paid off, and I can now cycle and play tennis (not at the same time) for long periods with no ill effect! Perhaps I should take up sailing?

[Young@Heart]

I think cycling is quite beneficial in developing the whole core, especially the lumbar area. I've nut had any back problem at all since I started cycling again 6 years ago.

[SpunOut]

As long as you are spending a reasonable amount of time participating in some good quality explosive cycling(fast climbing, sprinting etc) you are going to develop a strong muscular body. As well as the more obvious, such a stronger leg muscles, I think you are going to get a super strong core and a good muscular foundation throughout your entire upper and lower body.

Duration is the key to developing endurance.
Intensity is the key to developing strong and powerful muscles.

That's an oversimplification but I am not very complicated

[Flinders]

I think cycling is quite beneficial in developing the whole core, especially the lumbar area. I've nut had any back problem at all since I started cycling again 6 years ago.

My chiropractor can tell if I've been cycling, as my lower back is in better nick (but sometimes my shoulder muscles are a bit stiffer- but that's something they're prone too anyway because of my work).

[Tangled Metal]

Whitewater kayaking is very good for your core muscles. You oppose the forces from the paddle by cycling with your legs but kind of in reverse. When this was my main activity I found cycling easier and in the gym could do stomach curls on an hour inclined bench for fun. Talking proper curls not straight back sit ups.

Personally if you've not worked your core muscles and you do something that looks like it should use them. If it's easier than you thought it.should be then you're probably using other muscle groups.

For example, with novice kayakers they use their arms to paddle. Each trip leads to truly aching shoulders and arms is something to experience. With more experience you get the efficient technique and your shoulders no longer ache after a trip. You put it down to increased strength/endurance but it's better than stroke technique uses the stronger core and leg muscles.

[HoratioWondersocks]

My beer drinking muscles have developed most wondrously thanks to cycling.They continue to grow in relation to increased distances and difficulty of terrain .
Tis a most excellent situation.

HIC!
Andy

[hamster]

I sail Solos - a bit more sail area but it's much more controllable and with a nicer hiking position than the Laser. The Laser has so little freeboard that you use stomach muscles a lot as you cannot droop your backside like some other boats.

Cycling gives good aerobic fitness, stamina and trains you to tolerate pain...all good things for sailing upwind. Most club sailors are less fit than the average cyclist in my experience. Lasers like an active kinetic style and again your fitness should give you an advantage. However a shedload of situps and other exercises on stomach and back definitely help!