Question about endurance sports

[TonyE]

Coach Rip,

I'm wondering what it is that makes it unnecessary for an endurance athlete, like a TdF cyclist to get his squat up to 700.

Here are some numbers that might help:

Four time TdF winner Chris Froome is 6'1, and during the Tour, usually weighs 65kg (143lbs)

Eleven time world track champion and six time Olympic Gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy is 6'1, and during his career, usually weighed 93kg (205lb)

Hoy had a squat of around 250kg . I don't know what Froome can squat, if he even squats heavy.

The TdF is won and lost in the mountains, where they have to climb 7% gradients for five or six miles at a time. When the external resistance that you are producing force against is gravity trying to push you back down the hill, it's easier to reduce body mass than reduce the force of gravity.

Or to paraphrase Rip from your other thread, if you want to win the TdF, you should probably lose some weight.

[Mark Rippetoe]

But it probably wouldn't hurt Mr. Froome to get his squat up to 135.

[ceast]

But it probably wouldn't hurt Mr. Froome to get his squat up to 135.

This is what even the skinny guys have realized after years of being allergic to weights. Even a super basic strength program makes a huge difference. I'm sure Froome does something if the off/early season.

[TonyE]

This is what even the skinny guys have realized after years of being allergic to weights. Even a super basic strength program makes a huge difference. I'm sure Froome does something if the off/early season.

From an interview with Rip's new friends at Mens Health, Froome said of his training :

'A lot of squats and lunges, no heavy weights – more about building strength than muscle.'

[ceast]

From an interview with Rip's new friends at Mens Health, Froome said of his training :

'A lot of squats and lunges, no heavy weights – more about building strength than muscle.'

Sounds pretty standard. The guy I know said he was up around 265x5 by the end of the off season. He's not as scary thin as Froome, but still not a big guy, around 5'10" 150 I'd guess. Probably a safe bet that Froome is somewhere in the same neighborhood on his squat.

[Suwannee Dave]

From an interview with Rip's new friends at Mens Health, Froome said of his training :

'A lot of squats and lunges, no heavy weights – more about building strength than muscle.'

Where do their goddam "coaches" come from?

[adamanderson]

Solid information, especially:

"The TdF is won and lost in the mountains, where they have to climb 7% gradients for five or six miles at a time. When the external resistance that you are producing force against is gravity trying to push you back down the hill, it's easier to reduce body mass than reduce the force of gravity."

Thank you

'A lot of squats and lunges, no heavy weights – more about building strength than muscle.'

Sigh