Cycling - Core Training Exercises
You know how important it
is to have strong leg muscles when cycling, because they provide the
most tangible source of power. If you have strong leg muscles, this is
how you are able to start every ride strong and get up to a nice riding
speed. Soon though, you find yourself getting back aches, and feeling
tired in the saddle.
The problem is, "You can have all
the leg-strength in the world, but without a stable core you won't be
able to use it efficiently," says Graeme Street, founder of Cyclo-CORE,
and a personal trainer in Essex, Connecticut.
Your abs
and lower back are the vital foundation from which all movement,
including your pedal stroke, stems. What's more, a solid core will help
eliminate unecessary upper-body movement, so all the energy you produce
is delivered into a smooth pedal stroke.
It only takes about 10 minutes to complete this intense routine designed by Street.
Dimity
McDowell of Bicycling.com and Street say that if you do this routine,
in this order, three times a week you will create a core that lets you
ride faster, longer, more powerfully - and finish stronger than ever.
1. Boxer Ball Crunch
What It Works: Transverse abdominus, obliques, lower back
A.
Lie with the middle of your back on a stability ball, your knees bent
90 degrees and your feet flat on the floor. Place your hands behind your
head, but don't pull on your neck.
B.
Squeezing your belly button toward your spine, lift your upper back off
the ball. Keeping your shoulders off the ball, trace a clockwise oval
with your torso. Apply pressure with your lower back to keep the ball
still through the entire motion. After 15 clockwise ovals, trace 15
counterclockwise.
Why It Works: Despite the
straightforward motion of the bike, your body moves in three directions:
forward as you head down the road, vertically as your legs pedal up and
down, and laterally as your hips and upper body rock side to side.
"This fluid, circular exercise builds control," says Street, and that
helps you minimize lateral torsion and wasted motion.
2. Power Bridge
What It Works: Hip flexors, glutes, lower back
A. Lying on your back, bend your knees and place your heels near your glutes. Arms are at your sides, palms down.
B.
In one smooth motion, squeeze your glutes, raise your hips off the
floor and push up from your heels to form a straight line from shoulders
to knees; toes come off the floor slightly. Hold for two seconds.
Keeping your toes raised, lower yourself three-quarters of the way to
complete one rep. Do 20 repetitions.
Why It Works: In
addition to stretching the hip flexors, often extremely stiff in
cyclists, the bridge strengthens the link between your lower back and
glutes.
3. Hip extension
What It Works: Lower back, hamstrings, glutes
A.
Lying with your hips and stomach on the stability ball, put your hands
on the floor directly under your shoulders, and extend your legs with
toes resting on the floor.
B.
With a straight spine and shoulder blades back, as if you're trying to
make them touch, lift both legs off the floor, keeping them straight. If
possible, raise them slightly higher than parallel to the floor. Hold
for two seconds and lower. Do 20 reps.
Why It Works: This movement builds backside strength, for added efficiency on the second half of the pedal stroke.
4. Plank
What It Works: Transverse abdominus, upper and lower back
A. Lying on your stomach, place your elbows under your shoulders with forearms and hands on the floor.
B. Lift your hips off the floor, keeping your back straight and abs tight, and rest on your toes. Aim for 60 seconds.
Why It Works: The
plank builds the strength and muscular endurance you need to ride
powerfully in the drops or in an aero position long after others have
surrendered to the top of the handlebar.
5. Transverse Plank
What It Works: Transverse abdominus and obliques
A.
Lie on your right side, with your right elbow under your shoulder,
forearm in front for stability, and stack your left foot on your right.
Raise your left arm over your head.
B.
In one motion, lift your hips to create a straight line down your left
side. Lower your hips a few inches off the floor; do 10 to 15 reps, then
switch sides.
Why It Works: Strong obliques improve your stability in the saddle, letting you take on hairpin corners with more control and speed.
6. Scissors Kick
What It Works: Transverse abdominus, hip flexors, inner and outer thighs
A. Lying on your back with legs straight, place both hands palms down under your lower back.
B.
Pushing your elbows down into the floor and pulling your belly button
toward your spine, raise your shoulders off the floor and look toward
the ceiling. Raise your leg 4 inches off the ground and scissor them:
left leg over right, then right over left. That's one rep. Work up to
100.
Why It Works: A comprehensive movement that connects key cycling
muscles, the kick also builds inner-thigh muscles, which help you
achieve hip, knee and forefoot alignment for a proper and efficient
pedal stroke
7. Catapult
What It Works: Entire core
A.
Sitting with a slight bend in your knees, press your heels against the
floor. Extend arms to the front at shoulder height, palms facing each
other.
B. With a straight spine and upward gaze, inhale
deeply, then exhale and slowly lower your torso to the floor over five
counts as you inhale. Arms are overhead.
C. In one smooth movement, leading with the arms, exhale and explode back to the starting position. Do 20 reps.
Why It Works: Contrary to its name, the catapult encourages supreme body control.
8. Boat Pose
What It Works: Transverse abdominus, lower back
A. Sit, resting both hands lightly behind you, and lean back until your torso is at a 45-degree angle.
B.
Keeping your legs together, lift them off the floor as you extend arms
forward at shoulder height. Abs are tight, as thighs and torso form a 90
degree angle. If your hamstrings are tight, you'll need to bend your
knees a little. Work up to holding for 60 seconds.
Why It Works: As with the plank, this pose builds the lower-back
stability and core strength needed to remain bent over the handlebar for
hours, or to blast up hills without compromising power or speed
Following
this regimen will give you some improvement in your core strength,
riding ability and endurance. Stay Tuned to our blog for more cycling
tips!
Come Visit Us At Finish Line Bikes! We'd Love To Help You Find The Best Bike For You!
Finish Line Bikes
8850 Stockdale Hwy.
Bakersfield, CA 93311
(661) 883-6268
info@finishlinebikes.com
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"If cared for, a quality pair of pedal pushers could last five or even ten years!"
— Maintenance: While not much can go wrong with cycling shoes, we recommend checking the bolts that attach the cleats to the soles about monthly. If these loosen, the cleats can change position, which may cause knee pain. If you have a pair of shoes with buckles that ratchet, they may be attached with hardware. It's a good idea to regularly check that this hardware is tight, too.
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