Body Building For Trials

[xris_x]

Something I’ve been thinking about for a while is that no matter how often I ride every week my muscles aint getting much more powerful so I’m thinking of going to the gym to build up any muscles that need it. Is there anyone out there who has tried this and had any success? Any tips.

I've read up and spoken to some guys in the gym who advise on this stuff and they recommend that building big powerful muscles for what we do is the best way rather than thin muscles for stamina.....what you guys think?

[mbuk]

YOU dont want to be built like the hulk to ride your bike,you need stamina,strenght is nothing without stamina,just look at the tour de france men,they are very skinny,you get a body builder to try and keep up with them he would not stand a chance.shane.

[Luke Rainbird]

Stamina is a fair old chunk of it, but more pure strength (as in explosive stuff) will help you more. Obviously you need to find a balance between the two, but trials is more about bursts of energy (unless you are riding a lot of natural, I'm talking more generally really, and possibly from more of a street edge) whereas the TDF is an endurance event

[xris_x]

Stamina is a fair old chunk of it, but more pure strength (as in explosive stuff) will help you more. Obviously you need to find a balance between the two, but trials is more about bursts of energy (unless you are riding a lot of natural, I'm talking more generally really, and possibly from more of a street edge) whereas the TDF is an endurance event

Definitely mate, it’s far more explosive with outbursts of power, we're not racing road bikes, we explode then line up again, then explode again. Isn't it just like pulling up a huge weight, dropping it, then doing it again. Any techniques recomended?

[Willh]

Comparing trials with the tour de france isn't really that relevant because you don't need that much stamina to ride trials. You need some, but not loads. Power is far more important. If you want to build bigger muscles, going to the gym to work the muscles you use in trials is pointless. Eat loads, get loads of protein down you and ride. Trials is a much better workout than a couple of hours at the gym!

Will

[max-t]

Muscles are not built over night. You need to keep at it and allow for recovery time. Rest is as important as exercise if not more.

Also you need to be eating foods that are rich in protein to repair your muscle tissue when it is ripped and to build more of it to make it stronger.

To get more muscular some people use suppliments, i.e protein shakes, But its betetr to take on protein from food as they put all sorts of crap in them which ca cause some side effects.

Some good sources of protein are things like eggs, tuna, chicken,steak and nuts.

It probably would be a good idea going to the gym as well but you wont put muscle on instantly so dont worry about getting too big lol...

But it is best to have well defined muscles for trials but obviously not totally bulked.

Max..

[Ghetto Rider]

Hey

I think you just need to be toned, athletic and have alot of stamina - I'd say this and a good technique is ideal!

Dan

[gianttrials]

Yep a mixture of cardio/stamina training and explosive power training are spot on for trials, eat a healthy balanced diet, but don't worry to much about percentages of protein, fat, carbs, fibre, etc (this is important but very impractical to worry to much about), and your body will only use so much protein in 1 go (approx 28 grams/ best used by the body within 30 mins after training, hence the reason alot of people use supplement drinks). Train all the major muscle groups first then focus on smaller muscle groups and you can't go far wrong. For explosive strength training your best to try 3 sets of 8-12 reps with a heavy weight, have a complete recovery rest between sets, and do as many reps as you can on your last set (for example 6-7 reps is fine). Anyone who wants more info just ask and i'll help if i can.

Ben G WST

P.s i'm a full-time fitness instructor just incase anyone wondered.

[mettam1988]

i think its mostly down to technique, if you look at the top guys they arent built heavy, they are just lean and have really good technique.

the problem with being heavily built is you then have extra weight to move, its not like weightlifting where your mass stays on the ground. in trials you have to get yourself up to the ledge as well as your bike. id say youd be better off getting lean and increasing your strength to weight ratio rather than bulking up bodybuilder style.

Edited March 2, 2007 by mettam1988

[gianttrials]

i think its mostly down to technique, if you look at the top guys they arent built heavy, they are just lean and have really good technique.

the problem with being heavily built is you then have extra weight to move, its not like weightlifting where your mass stays on the ground. in trials you have to get yourself up to the ledge as well as your bike. id say youd be better off getting lean and increasing your strength to weight ratio rather than bulking up bodybuilder style.

This is very true, and explosion/power training wont make you get bigger (unless its in your genetics)

Ben G WST

[moto_psycho]

Dude, tone your muscles, dont build them, muscle building will slow you down horribly, look at (stupid example) jackie chan, hes hard as f**k, and could go on forever, imagine arnie running a few miles?

if you are going to the gym, use lighter weights and higher reps, not heavy weights and less, stamina and control is the game, not size and strength

[Ben Beckett]

yo mofo,

watch TRA 'gettininshape' mite find the end 'elpfull'

[zoo]

I've been attending the gym a lot recently and have found that I aren't really getting any bigger (muscles are getting more defined though) but I am getting stronger.I haven't noticed that it is helping my riding in any way at all (i'm shite though so it could be that...I haven't been going to the gym to get stronger though,just to get bigger,shame it hasn't worked really .

zo-0 b_aby!

Edited March 2, 2007 by zoo

[moto_psycho]

you will progressively gain muscle according to your bodies needs for trials, as long as ur not a porker, dont worry about it

[edd91]

Yea but the thing is there should be nothing wrong with lifting, you don't just get big by lifting you have to do everything esle aswell for example eating, taking in about 1-2g of protein per pound of body weight, then getting about 8 hours or more sleep a night, then there is the fact if you over train then they will not grow you have to give them recovery time, becasue you muscles grow when you rest/sleep etc, personaly i would say that there is nothing wrong with lifting, i do, but first have a look at the area your targeting then get some research done on some excersises.

Edd

[TAWT]

I'd say you have to focus on your strength to weight ratio and do stuff you actually enjoy, if thats going to the gym then fine but I've always had problems keeping motivated with the gym. So I do rock climbing which is excellent for all muscle groups and stamina, it is also really good psychologicaly as you are problem solving whilst knackered and risk falling off.....just like in a comp

I've also started kick boxing which includes circut training, if you do that a few times a week you'll be nowt but muscle and bones...

I also had a go at gymnastics the other week, I know a lot of people will think thats gay but gymnastics is all about strength to weight ratio and explosive moves, it also makes you really flexible which every top sports man be it trials or not appears to be...

Ian

[scousertrials]

martyn ashton told me once that he goes the gym everyday and lifts really heavy wieight. it keeps him from feeling slow and improves performance

[Christophe']

I did aprox 60 pull ups a day for 2 weeks solid. (3 different kinds of pull ups)

And after that my arms feel rock solid and i was able to nail certain moves on my trials bike a lot easier.

So i'd say it does work.

Have carried on doing them as it improves my sidehopping etc.

Edited March 3, 2007 by VillageDave