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According to the article, cycling isn't enough. You need to do heavier resistance training.

• rezeroed 8y ago
  Change gear.
  • cultus 8y ago
    Speaking as a former bike racer, cycling does not build muscles unless you are already wildly out of shape. Pedaling in a tall gear still isn't much resistance, typically less than body weight. Muscle is built only by getting near the limit of musclular strength. Cycling only challenges your cardiovascular system. I always squatted and deadlifted to get better at sprints. Other racers who were climbing specialists had skinnier legs than the average man, yet they could climb hills incredibly fast.
    • Yajirobe 8y ago
      Is climbing a good sport according to this 'limit of muscular strength' requirement?
      • cultus 8y ago
        I wear my arms out pretty fast rock climbing, but that's only a small proportion of the body. I kind of doubt it is a good replacement for strength training.
• bmj 8y ago
  I think it's important to qualify this, at least a little bit. Life-long endurance athletes will still maintain muscle as they age, but you can't expect to take up casual cycling as an overweight, sedentary 45+ year old and have that sort of physiological change. Strength/resistance training is ideal if you are trying to push back against the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. All that said--most serious endurance athletes are realizing that they need to hit the proverbial weight room, at least at certain times during the year.