Top 3 Training Mistakes for Cyclists & Triathletes
Our Cycling Strength & Performance Workshop is coming up this Saturday and before you show up, we wanted to give you a sneak peek into what you are getting into.
Most cyclists and triathletes we see at Tundra Performance and Physical Therapy work and push very hard. They get after it. We know how frustrating it is to be fully committed to your training and sometimes still feel like your body is working against you. Sometimes it’s pain, maybe stiffness, or maybe a beginner cyclist transitioning to more serious rides and looking to get to the next level. More often than not, it comes down to a few key mistakes that are incredibly common and completely fixable.
Here are the 3 most common training mistakes we see in our physical therapy clinic:
1) Training Too Hard, Too Often
The hard rides and training sessions are what push us to the next level. Better fitness, new power levels, new personal bests. However, when everything is hard or we don’t incorporate proper recovery days into our program and fatigue begins to set in. As a result, we can’t push as hard on the workouts we want, and musculoskeletal tissues begin to break down and our injury risk increases.
2) Only Training on the Bike
It’s the whole reason you’re biking. It's fun to be in the saddle, exploring mountain trails, and being out in the nice weather. On top of that, if you want to be a better cyclist, you need to ride. So why do we need resistance training in addition to biking?
Biking doesn’t solve everything. It’s the same position, same cycle stroke, same, same, same. Over time, our muscles, bones, and tendons accommodate to these positions and they start talking back. Not only can resistance training improve our performance, but it fills the gaps that biking cannot. This means less injuries, improved mobility, and ultimately, better performance on and off the bike.
3) Not Getting a Proper Bike Fit
Biking is cyclical, repeatable, and biomechanically monotonous. Our bikes are symmetrical machines. Our bodies, not so much. Every person has a different body shape, build, and anthropometrics that make them who they are.
You need to be on a bike, set up for YOU. You are putting miles and hours in the saddle. By having a bike fit to you, you are not only going to be more comfortable on your rides, but your body is going to biomechanically set up to weather the challenges ahead.
Honorable Mentions
Nutrition: Some rides, some races are more of a test of gut health over actually racing….. See Triple Bypass. On a lesser scale, your body needs fuel not only to perform but recover. Proper nutrition can play a large role in how we prevent injury and continue to bike at a high level.
Sleep: Sleep is when our bodies actually recover. It's when, on a cellular level, all the adaptations we worked hard for happen. Without sleep, these processes become delayed, and hinders our ability to stay on the bike consistently.
We're covering all of this and more at our Cycling Strength & Performance Workshop this Saturday. You'll leave with a clear picture of where your training has potential gaps and exactly what to do about it.
Further questions? Email and reach out to us!
Link & Further Details About the Event Below:
📍 Full Frame Beer & Coffee
📅 Saturday, March 14
🕐 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Further details: HERE!
Helping athletes RESOLVE THEIR PAIN by CLEARLY DEFINING THE PROBLEM and IMPLEMENTING EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS to get them back doing the activities they love!
If you are currently struggling with an injury or unable to perform in the activities you enjoy. Please follow the link to schedule a consultation call to discuss how we can help you.
