Climbing out of the saddle

[zoom-zoom]

Just to add another perspective - I love standing to climb and will stand at the drop of a hat. My legs burn a lot more if I sit all the time, it feels as if I really need that change in position. I've read too that standing uses more energy, but to me it really doesn't feel that way. I think people just are built differently, with a preference to the one or the other. But when I stand, I really stand, punching out each pedal stroke, no hovering, and try to straighten my legs completely every now and then to stretch out the kinks.

This is kind of my take, too...plus standing gets me up the hill faster. My asthma tends to kick in the longer it takes me to crest a hill.

[Blueberry]

I'm OK to stand some while riding outside, though I don't love it. I find it harder since I've switched to bar end shifters (though I otherwise love them, and won't go back).

On the trainer inside, though I cannot do the standing sets on Spinervals (I posted here a while ago seeking advice). Just can't do it. Especially the low resistance ones.

Elliptical is my cross training form of cardio, so I don't think it's that I don't have the right muscles....

[leah]

I watch other cyclists climb out the saddle and they seem to be sort of gracefully "jogging" the bike side to side. When I try to do that, I feel like my weight is distributed properly but I just sort of end up jerking the handlebars back and forth and it feels so awkward. I wish I could figure out what they are doing exactly - it's hard to imitate.

[Blueberry]

I watch other cyclists climb out the saddle and they seem to be sort of gracefully "jogging" the bike side to side. When I try to do that, I feel like my weight is distributed properly but I just sort of end up jerking the handlebars back and forth and it feels so awkward. I wish I could figure out what they are doing exactly - it's hard to imitate.

That kinda sounds like your upper body is too tight. You have to let the bike move under you to be able to climb out of the saddle on the road. I think that's part of the reason I can't do it on the trainer - I can't let the bike rock (I don't have a rocking trainer).

[Crankin]

I can't stand on the trainer, either, Blueberry. If I do, it has to be in the hardest gear, and then it kills my knees. While I find it takes much more energy and slows me down on the road, I can stand. I also see people looking so natural when they stand; not me.
I don't like the elliptical for this reason. When the resistance is hard enough, it hurts my knees.