Hill fitness through the non-summer months

[indysteel]

I try to maintain some degree of cycling fitness during the winter through spinning and riding when I can, but I also see winter as a time to take a mental and physical break from it. I run, I go to more yoga classes, I get a little more rest, I catch up on other projects. When I came back this spring, it didn't take me long to feel really good again on the bike so something seems to be working. Right now, I'm starting to feel some burn out and am actually looking forward to the change of pace that winter will bring. Don't get me wrong. I'll likely whine and complain when the weather really starts to turn nasty, but I think there's something to be said for mixing it up.

[Grog]

Oops, you're in SF. No snow.

For the home trainer you can try some Spinerval DVDs. Some are hill-focused, and will wipe you out all right.

[bluebug32]

I agree. Sometimes a break is what's needed most to keep your head clear and your mind strong for conquering the hills in the spring.

But, in the meantime, do you think squats and other leg exercises are a good primer for strength in the spring? I'm thinking of testing this theory this winter.

[malkin]

We have a "Total Gym" at home that I got second hand. I used one for back rehab years before I ever saw the infomercial with Chuck Norris. It's a nice workout.

The worst part is wrestling it in and out of the closet...well, that and avoiding thoughts of Chuck Norris.

[malkin]

San Francisco?
Cold?

pish posh

[Dogmama]

I agree. Sometimes a break is what's needed most to keep your head clear and your mind strong for conquering the hills in the spring.

But, in the meantime, do you think squats and other leg exercises are a good primer for strength in the spring? I'm thinking of testing this theory this winter.

Absolutely. You can vary your stance for squats to hit different areas. Keep your feet closer together to hit the outer glutes & quads. Wide stance with toes out will hit the inner thighs (squeeze on the way up.) The lower you go the more you hit your glutes but be sure to keep a normal curve in your lower back. If you don't have a lot of flexibility, you might need to keep your squats shallow for awhile.

Low reps with weights build more strength (4-8 reps). Higher reps (12-20) will build endurance. Do both.

Lunges are good too. You can do stationary or walking. Steps ups are great for quads & glutes.

[crazycanuck]

SF is not cold Gnat! What are you talkin about?

I think Perth's weather might be like yours in the winter..

Get on that bike dear & ignore the weather. Gentle rain & cold wind will not cause you to shrink.

Winter will soon be there..I know because Spring is def on it's way to Perth

[salsabike]

Spinervals DVD The Uphill Grind. Boy, did that make me stronger over the winter when I was working too many hours to be able to ride much. And I know it sounds sick, but it's fun and it goes by fast. There's another one, I think called "Hillacious", but I don't have/know it.

[kelownagirl]

one-legged drills on the trainer made a difference to me this year.

[makbike]

A trainer and evil Coach Troy.

[OakLeaf]

I spent two winters in North Dakota ("40 below keeps the riffraff out"... so I left) and let me tell you, San Francisco is COLD.

Maybe not any colder in the winter than in the summer. But that place is cold.

[katluvr]

A trainer and evil Coach Troy.

I just love calling him "Evil Coach Troy" when I do Spinnervals!

Since I live in Florida I am ALWAYS looking for hill training. So even though I can ride all winter long--I find the trainer the best thing for this. Just building leg strength. And yes, the wind on the flats is another strength booster. With wind you never get the downhill! (Hard to believe but it seems there is never a tail wind always a head wind!)

Wow, so sorry to hear summer is ending for some of you. I am looking forward to some weather that allows me to not have to be up before the crack of dawn to get my workouts in!

[Kalidurga]

Some chilly-weather hikes through Muir Woods might help to keep both quads and lungs in climbing shape. I hoofed it along one trail there a few years ago that was pretty tough, and I'm betting it was actually one of the easier trails.

[gnat23]

Some chilly-weather hikes through Muir Woods might help to keep both quads and lungs in climbing shape.

Hah! You totally reminded me of a COLD ride near Muir Woods last spring:
http://www.specializedriders.com/blog/116/post/show/117

I believe the phrase was "I thought my IT bands would curl up into my buttocks for warmth if they could."

-- gnat! (wimp, I know...)

[bluebug32]

Absolutely. You can vary your stance for squats to hit different areas. Keep your feet closer together to hit the outer glutes & quads. Wide stance with toes out will hit the inner thighs (squeeze on the way up.) The lower you go the more you hit your glutes but be sure to keep a normal curve in your lower back. If you don't have a lot of flexibility, you might need to keep your squats shallow for awhile.

Low reps with weights build more strength (4-8 reps). Higher reps (12-20) will build endurance. Do both.

Lunges are good too. You can do stationary or walking. Steps ups are great for quads & glutes.

Thanks!

In terms of the low/high reps and doing both. Do I do them both in one session or do high one day, low the next time I do legs?