I don't think it was just the pectoral weight. Look a those arms! No wonder he blew up so early on that climb.yetanothergreenworld said:If memory serves, Sergei Belov's excess pectoral weight lost him the 1985 Hell of the West on the Morgul-Bismarck wall:
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carton said:I don't think it was just the pectoral weight. Look a those arms! No wonder he blew up so early on that climb.yetanothergreenworld said:If memory serves, Sergei Belov's excess pectoral weight lost him the 1985 Hell of the West on the Morgul-Bismarck wall:
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CheckMyPecs said:It's better to lose a few seconds than to lose your dignity.Jancouver said:Why? Because it is all about power to weight ratio and upper body muscles are just an extra weight![]()
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Cance > TheRest said:Many of the best bike handlers and descenders in the peloton are actually climbers with skinny arms.CheckMyPecs said:I can think of many reasons why cyclists should train their upper bodies to boost their performance:MikeTichondrius said:CheckMyPecs said:It's better to lose a few seconds than to lose your dignity.Jancouver said:Why? Because it is all about power to weight ratio and upper body muscles are just an extra weight![]()
Username coherent with argument.
*stronger forearms mean cyclists can grip their handlebar better and thus prevent falls
*stronger abs and core muscles protect the spine and help prevent back injuries
etc.
Clinic issues asside, 99.9% of cyclists would gladly exchange what Lance achieved "despite" his muscles for what they achieved with their scrawny little torsos.SeriousSam said:Armstrong was quick uphill despite his weight, not because of it.
This, surely, is the ideal cyclist upper body
Very good post.+100PremierAndrew said:CheckMyPecs said:It's better to lose a few seconds than to lose your dignity.Jancouver said:Why? Because it is all about power to weight ratio and upper body muscles are just an extra weight![]()
Your dignity has nothing to do with how your upper body looks. The majority of people work out because they are insecure about themselves/their bodies, and gain self-esteem by making themselves stronger, often in the hope of becoming more attractive to the opposite sex (or the same sex for that matter)
Road and track cyclists have absolutely nothing to gain from gaining muscle on their upper body (except maybe to a very limited extent the cobbles specialists)
I get your frustration. I also don't like these overly skinny guys, especially when it's not their build and or they are tall and it looks terrible (froome, dombrowski, gesink, mollema, kruiswijk, zakarin) I almost puke.CheckMyPecs said:This is pathetic.
I've got a big upper body and I manage to win a few races here and there every season. Sure, I win at the amateur level, but blokes with better genetics than mine should be able to do the same in pro races.
Mind you, I didn't say all of the greatest bike handlers are climbers, just that many of the best descenders are climbers. Which is true. There are many good bike handlers/descenders among the TT'ists, classic riders and sprinters, as you say. Point being, the whole "arm-strength makes better bike handler"-argument doesn't seem to apply in pro cycling, at least.burning said:Cance > TheRest said:Many of the best bike handlers and descenders in the peloton are actually climbers with skinny arms.CheckMyPecs said:I can think of many reasons why cyclists should train their upper bodies to boost their performance:MikeTichondrius said:CheckMyPecs said:It's better to lose a few seconds than to lose your dignity.
Username coherent with argument.
*stronger forearms mean cyclists can grip their handlebar better and thus prevent falls
*stronger abs and core muscles protect the spine and help prevent back injuries
etc.
Not at all, ever riders' best descender list contains sprinters and guys like Cancellara.
You're aware that pic is post-retirement, right?CheckMyPecs said:It's better to lose a few seconds than to lose your dignity.Jancouver said:Why? Because it is all about power to weight ratio and upper body muscles are just an extra weight![]()
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SeriousSam said:Oh that's post retirement? In that case, seeing as he was no longer subject to the stringent anti-doping controls of cycling, there must be doubt as to whether this muscular physique was achieved unaided.
Funny.....you shouldn't grip the handlebars when riding on the cobbles.CheckMyPecs said:Case in point: Peter Sagan in this year's Paris-Roubaix.
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Or move it to the Form and Fitness forum.Mayomaniac said:Mods, please nuke this thread into oblivion!
Thank you for engaging constructively .lemon cheese cake said:Or move it to the Form and Fitness forum.Mayomaniac said:Mods, please nuke this thread into oblivion!
Being strong all around (not just the legs or any other individual muscle group) is a sign of fitness. And everyone wants to be fit, right? So when you have a weak upper body you're basically sending the message that you don't respect yourself enough to get out and get fit.PremierAndrew said:Your dignity has nothing to do with how your upper body looks. The majority of people work out because they are insecure about themselves/their bodies, and gain self-esteem by making themselves stronger, often in the hope of becoming more attractive to the opposite sex (or the same sex for that matter)
Why? You can't censor a thread just because you don't agree with the argument it presents.Mayomaniac said:Mods, please nuke this thread into oblivion!
Weight! Don’t Forget Your Upper Body
Generally speaking, cyclists have great legs and butts. That’s from the hours and hours of riding we do. However, have you looked in the mirror at your upper body lately? Ever notice that above your waist, your muscles (what muscles you have) aren’t as defined or impressive as your legs? Or have you seen the Tour riders take off their jersies? They look like emaciated prisoners of war. Cyclists like riding and tend not to like training in the gym. We are afraid if we train our upper bodies, we will gain unwanted weight, albeit muscle, that we have to lug up hills. In this article, the last in my series on strength training, I will lay out some reasons why you should consider strengthening your upper body and core muscles.
When we push on the pedals, there is a transmission of power through our feet to the pedals. However, there must be something for your legs to push off of when generating power to the pedals, and that something is your core. Your core includes the muscles of the pelvis, abs, lower back and diaphragm. The force transmitted to the pedals must be counteracted by transmission of that power through your core to your arms to the handlebars. Have you ever tried pushing hard on the pedals without holding on to the handlebars? A strong core, shoulders and arms will help transmit that power efficiently with little loss. If weak, you will lose some power through an unstable core. I’m sure you’ve seen riders who are moving all over their bikes. Upper body motion is wasted power.
Although we tend to think most about our legs getting tired when we ride, your upper body will also get fatigued on long rides. You’ve probably noticed your back, shoulder or arms getting tired on long rides. The upper body uses a fairly static position when we ride on the road and can get tired and sore from holding itself that way. A toned upper body will help resist fatigue on long rides.
http://www.cyclesportcoaching.com/articleCU5.html
CheckMyPecs said:Being strong all around (not just the legs or any other individual muscle group) is a sign of fitness. And everyone wants to be fit, right? So when you have a weak upper body you're basically sending the message that you don't respect yourself enough to get out and get fit.PremierAndrew said:Your dignity has nothing to do with how your upper body looks. The majority of people work out because they are insecure about themselves/their bodies, and gain self-esteem by making themselves stronger, often in the hope of becoming more attractive to the opposite sex (or the same sex for that matter)