Programming cycling and Strength Training - perhaps a question for Steve Hill?

[rupi]

Hey,

I'm a 26 year old road cyclist and i want to combine cycling and Strength Training. I want to get stronger and improve my sprints/ explosivness. My goal is to become a well rounded athlete and I would like to race some Criteriums next near. After 5 Months of a modified SS, I can't progress anymore. So which Strength/Powerlifting Program would you recommend for that? Would the TM or another intermediate Program right for me?
Can I construct a weight training regiment in which I can both cycle and make progress on my lifts, particularly the squat and DL (I shouldn't have an issue progressing on upper body)?

I ride 4-6x a week.

My stats:

Height 176cm
Bodyweight 72kg
Squat 110kg x 5
Bench press 75kg x 5
Deadlift 130kg x 5
OHP 50kg x 5

[Steve Hill]

Before we go too far down the rabbit hole, I have some questions:

1) Please describe what a “modified SS” is.
2) your current weight is 72kg. What was is at the start of the “modified SS” programming?
3) What were your starting weights for SQ and DL?

[rupi]

Before we go too far down the rabbit hole, I have some questions:

1) Please describe what a “modified SS” is.
2) your current weight is 72kg. What was is at the start of the “modified SS” programming?
3) What were your starting weights for SQ and DL?

Hi Steve.

1. Before each workout I did 5x3 Depth Jumps and I also did one single leg exercise( Lunges, Bulgarian Split Squat and Single-Leg-Press) after the workouts.
2. I went from 70kg to 74kg to now 72kg
3. Starting Weights:

Squat 50kg x 5
Bench press 45kg x 5
Deadlift 60kg x 5
OHP 25kg x 5

[Mark Rippetoe]

Ah. He's modified it into a program that is not SS. Standard approach.

[Steve Hill]

1) how many times per week did you lift?
2) when you say “50kg x 5” do you mean for three sets of 5?

[rupi]

1) how many times per week did you lift?
2) when you say “50kg x 5” do you mean for three sets of 5?

1. I ran the program as written, 3 days a week

2. Yes, all numbers are 3x5

[rupi]

1) how many times per week did you lift?
2) when you say “50kg x 5” do you mean for three sets of 5?

Hi Steve.
I ran the program as written, 3 days a week. My squat made good progress, but currently my lifts are all plateauing … probably because I am cycling so much. My legs are also so exhausted by the time I get to my rides that they go terribly and it is a struggle to get through them.

Can I construct a weight training regiment in which I can both cycle and make progress on my lifts?

Thanks in advance

[Bill Anders]

Hi Steve.
I ran the program as written, 3 days a week. My squat made good progress, but currently my lifts are all plateauing … probably because I am cycling so much. My legs are also so exhausted by the time I get to my rides that they go terribly and it is a struggle to get through them.

Can I construct a weight training regiment in which I can both cycle and make progress on my lifts?

Thanks in advance

rupi,

As an old, long-time cyclist, you already hit the nail on the head (bolded above). There's a season for significant strength gains before prepping for the race season. Never the two shall mix. For reference, look at some of Joe Friel's training cycles for cyclists for more info.

Similarly, here's an older article in the archives here that might shed some light (read the forum discussion afterwards): "]The Map of Athletic Performance .

[rupi]

@ Steve Hill

Can I construct a weight training regiment in which I can both cycle and make progress on my lifts? I know, road cyclists are encouraged to be very light, but strength is still important for general health and greater stability on the bike. I would like to gain some muscles and i would like to get stronger.
So which Strength/Powerlifting Program would you recommend for that? Would the TM or another intermediate Program right for me?