Cycling for Hypertrophy

[IndividualThoughtPatterns]

Thank god that guy isn't doing LB squat because if he was then there would be like 10 posts pointing that out.

[Will D]

My brother races his $7000 bike 4 hours each Sat and Sun,( long distance). He is 6.6 around 210 and has massive quads the rest
of his body is skin and bones, this is a awful look in my opinion. He has never lifted a weight in his
life, oh he played rugby for many, many years at a weight of 250. I have no idea how his legs have
become so massive. He lost the 40 pounds on purpose to improve his competitivness on his bike.
"To get better at cycling, cycle"

Tour de France competitors look nothing like this. A marathoner doesn't look anything like a 100m track and field sprinter.

My suggestion is that sprint cycling is more like rowing very short distances where you have much more time to display strength versus running and jumping where the foot contact is nearly instantaneous.

[Dastardly]

Take up by cycling if you enjoy it. Certainly DO NOT do it on a stationary bike. It is a good opportunity to be outdoors, have informal competition with others by riding in group that will push you. Away from nerds on internet forums talking about vertical jumps.

But it is a dumb idea if you want to do it just for quads. As has already been stated, sprint cyclists who have big quads get them from squatting or leg pressing. Any real world high output use of your legs will add conditioning and utility to them and you may develop a little extra "round ness" from regular "pump" and ballistic/rebound elements of using your legs in the real world.

I suggest you take part in any sport that uses your legs for a similar effect. Also try running for challenging distances in flat shoes/barefoot. It will build your calves.

[hunter308]

Tour de France competitors look nothing like this. A marathoner doesn't look anything like a 100m track and field sprinter.

My suggestion is that sprint cycling is more like rowing very short distances where you have much more time to display strength versus running and jumping where the foot contact is nearly instantaneous.

Bullshit, his races are 4 hours in duration and his legs are twice the size of mine and Ive been squating for 3 years.

He is a lot more extreme than me when it comes to his hobby/passion.

This is my experience and I also played competitive sports my entire life like my brother.

Go figure.

[Will D]

Ok I'm dumb, and a nerd. And it looks like you've contradicted yourself about whether or not sprint cycling will cause hypertrophy. Thanks for your advice anyway.

[Will D]

Bullshit, his races are 4 hours in duration and his legs are twice the size of mine and Ive been squating for 3 years.

He is a lot more extreme than me when it comes to his hobby/passion.

This is my experience and I also played competitive sports my entire life like my brother.

Go figure.

What are you saying is bullshit? Road cyclists have poor strength. Your anecdote is just an anecdote -- not that I'm disagreeing with your story since I don't know you or your brother.

[hunter308]

My point is Marathon runners have very different legs to cyclists, of this I am sure and
I'm not going to dig up photo to reinforce this point as I've seen the proof with my own
eyes.

[Kyle Aaron]

But it is a dumb idea if you want to do it just for quads. As has already been stated, sprint cyclists who have big quads get them from squatting or leg pressing.

I would imagine that charging up hills would have a positive effect on quad size, especially on a really crappy heavy mountain bike.

But seriously, focus. Figure out what you want to achieve, and use the ordinary proven tools to achieve that. Don't look for ways around it. If you want big thighs, squat heavy and eat lots. If you want to cycle better, cycle. Cycling and not squatting in the hopes of getting bigger quads makes as much sense as squatting and not cycling in the hopes of being able to cycle greater distances.

in the end, nobody gives a fuck, so just try it and see. Go cycle and avoid squatting, and take some before and after measurements and pictures and see what happens. If you can discover a way of getting bigger stronger legs without squatting heavy, you can write a book about it and make millions, people will gladly spend money on anything which tells them they don't have to squat heavy. Try it, maybe you can become a millionaire.

[hunter308]

More baloney, Except for this ""I would imagine that charging up hills would have a positive effect on quad size"

Show me a road cyclist with chicken legs

Show me a marathon runner with sturdy legs.

I have a intermediate squat at the moment and my "Cyclist" brother has much
bigger legs than mine. We are both tall and have the same frame.

I do agree that in the the end nobody gives a fuck at all,
if my brother gets hit by a car or if die while squating on my
6th floor balconey 50 feet of the ground, people will say
what a stupid moron.

[Will D]

This is already getting a little preachy. . .

Hunter, I was comparing long distance athletes to short distance athletes. We don't disagree.