Why Should I Do Upper-Body Weight Exercises?

Question: In your eBook Off-Season Training for Roadies you say to do only weight exercises that directly relate to cycling. If that’s the case, why include any upper-body pushing exercises like pushups? — Rod P.

Coach Fred Matheny Replies: Two reasons:

First, as a roadie, you lean on the handlebar for long periods. Think about those sore, strained triceps you sometimes feel, especially on longer rides and particularly early in the season.

An off-season weight program that includes pushing exercises such as pushups, dips or bench presses strengthens triceps and shoulders, reducing this discomfort.

Second, you need to achieve balance by doing exercises for so-called antagonistic muscle groups. Doing upper-body pulling exercises is important for climbing and sprinting.

But if you do only pulling exercises, you’ll lack both strength and muscular development in the pushing muscles. This imbalance could lead to injury.