Gym Work

One thing I enjoy when the season ends and the weather turns foul is spending more time in the gym. It always amazes me how quickly you can destroy yourself in the gym. Think you're strong? Add more weight, eliminate rest, do some new moves.

As a cyclist, I used to follow strength programs ostensibly tailored to cyclists, as you would find in the Cyclist's Training Bible. Over the years I've observed that those sorts of programs yield some results, but it seemed like each winter I started over again at the same basic strength level.

In the past two years I started a new routine, basically incorporating 2-3 intense gym session per week, first looking to Crossfit for exercises and instruction, and now using many of the routines from GymJones. In my experience, high intensity exercise using whole-body exercises builds strength that lasts beyond a year - I've started this years program without having regressed during the racing season.

To be fair, it may be the case that Crossfit and GymJones workouts break down mental barriers. The cycling specific routines are very conservative - crossfit and gymjones are very aggresive in terms of pushing barriers, and doing what you thought could never be done goes a long way towards redefining your limits.