MUSCLE WORK

Perhaps cycling’s most neglected training element is the one that Hough recommends most often, as it’s a single addition to the plan that provides many different benefits: “I’m a big fan of resistance and strength training. I think that’s a great option for improving muscular-skeletal strength, has a good carry over for the bike. It strengthens all the soft tissues, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and improves maximal power. There’s also evidence that suggests it helps improve cycling economy, so you need less oxygen for a given power output.”

Deadlifts, with a straight back, hingeing at the waist and a soft knee bend are ideal for building hip strength and aiding power transfer to the pedals. You can also incorporate kettle bells into your existing core strength routine, carrying a bell in relaxed arms while you do your lunges and squats. Adding weights to your session is a big leap and it’s safest to do so with some experienced help at hand to spot for you.

“ADDING WEIGHTS TO YOUR SESSION IS A BIG LEAP AND IT’S SAFEST TO DO SO WITH SOME EXPERIENCED HELP”