Should intervals be done in or out of the saddle?

[Indurain]

Given that I rarely get out of the saddle when racing, climbing, etc Should most of my intervals also be in the saddle?

Is there much benefit to doing out of the saddle intervals other than for sprint training?
I have no problems getting my HR up high enough in the saddle for over 45secs, but can't get as high power, HR, etc for under this.

 

[sciguy]

Is there much benefit to doing out of the saddle intervals other than for sprint training?

Not in my opinion. For that matter it might be worth doing a fair portion of you sprint work in the saddle as well or at the very least while maintaining as aero a standing position as possible.

YMMV,

Hugh

 

[King Boonen]

If you hardly ever get out of the saddle I think you'd be best advised to stay in the saddle when doing your intervals too, personally. Getting out of the saddle will let you produce more power, but that's a function of the mechanics of the position. I don't think it will necessarily give you any great gains over staying in the saddle if that's how you would ride the majority of the time.

 

[AJ101]

Train what you want to be good at... and that's probably in the saddle performance gains.

 

[Indurain]

Thanks for the reply. Do you think the power gains, improvement from intervals out of the saddle will also transfer to the same power gains, improvement, etc in the saddle?

 

[sciguy]

Thanks for the reply. Do you think the power gains, improvement from intervals out of the saddle will also transfer to the same power gains, improvement, etc in the saddle?

Specificity, specificity, specificity = no but they would transfer to out of the saddle sprints.

Hugh

 

[42x16ss]

Train how you race, race how you train. If you're most comfortable attacking seated, do your strength intervals seated. Prizes are handed out for results, not technique.

There will be some crossover with improvement in/out of the saddle, but the best way to get better at attacking out of the saddle is to practice it.

 

[durianrider]

Easy mate. Just do both.

Do one in the saddle and the next out of the saddle.

Either way you are trying to stimulate mitochondrial efficiency so both will work.

As long as you are hitting your cadence and power numbers that is all that matters.

Aim for around 90-110 cadence. All the worlds fastest TT or climbers sit around that. Sprinters more like 110-130.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Depends on your objective. Out of the saddle is better if you want to gain muscle mass. Both in and out of the saddle are okay if you only care about explosiveness.