Quote Originally Posted by Bad JuJu
I've been following a particular cycling fitness program that suggests "pulling up on the handlebars" when you're pedaling hard, particularly on hills (in the saddle, anyway).
If you're standing, you'll pull on the handlebars a little. Seated? Not really. In fact, you should try to keep the rest of your body as relaxed as possible & conserve your energy for your legs.

Envision the power coming from your hips when you're pedaling in a circle. Your hips are the beginning of each pedal stroke.

When the going gets tough, you may automatically pull a little on the handlebars. I try to minimize that, but sometimes you need to engage your back a little (which happens when you pull the handlebars) to crest a hill.