As a USA Cycling Coach, who has performed innumerable Bike Fits over time, I find the one common area that many clients suffer from is a lack of flexibility in the lower body. This is especially true for the low back, groin, hip flexor and hamstring muscle areas. As a result, many clients experience discomfort while riding and any adjustments to a static bike fit will not render significant improvements.
One of the many credentials that I hold is that of being a Master Trainer which is the highest level of Personal Training in the fitness industry. As such, flexibility is one of five components to true fitness. The attachment that I have included is taken from Bob Anderson’s Complete Book of Stretching and is cycling specific. By following these simple illustrations, and by doing this routine both before and after a cycling session, one will soon discover that their level of discomfort will lessen over time.
In addition, I have also included a strength training routine by Bill Pearl – Getting Stronger, specific to cycling for both on and off-season use. Muscular strength and muscular endurance are two of the other components to true fitness which cannot be over emphasized. In short, when you add in the last two components of fitness being cardiovascular/cardiorespiratory fitness and lean body mass, having a training plan that incorporates all five components will yield significant results.
For the average recreational cyclist, making these changes can make a big difference in the comfort and performance level to the sport of cycling….cycling is in part, a combination of several sciences such as kinesiology, physics, bio-mechanics, physiology to name a few….one does not have to have a degree in any of these fields but having an understanding of how the body works goes a long way….and that is where I come in as a licensed Cycling Coach, to help educate and inform others so that they can realize their full potential…
El Paso Bicycle Club 