Question: I’m doing a leg workout that’s so hard I can handle it only once per week: one set of squats or leg presses, one set of leg extensions, one set of calf raises. Each exercise is for 20-60 reps until failure; I can’t possibly do another rep. I’m already getting stronger, so how much improvement…
Question: You told this to a reader who wants more power: “Fixing this problem starts with a winter weight program. Then in the spring, you convert the new strength into cycling-specific power with short, hard intervals on hills. Begin these by using a big gear at a low cadence, then progress to smaller gears and…
Question: I have a big upper body from genetics and years of weight raining. I’ve lost 40 pounds since I began riding, and I’ve quit the weight room for good — I want to climb better! But local coaches tell me that I should still do upper-body resistance work to help my cycling. Why? I…
By Coach Fred Matheny I’ll never forget the rider approaching me near Boulder, Colorado, some years ago. Roadies are common in that cycling-mad town but this guy stood out, even at a distance, for the smoothness and fluidity of his pedaling motion. He sat rock steady on the saddle and his legs flowed underneath him. I…
Question: I race competitively on the road, totaling 300-400 miles per week. I make one week in every four a recovery week when I just roll around for 200 miles without any hard efforts. The problem is that after a week of taking it easy, I don’t feel refreshed. In fact, I feel more sluggish…
