Tom Danielson’s Core Advantage

Acommon mantra

is that strengthening our core will improve our cycling. The benefits include a reduced risk of overuse injuries, and better bike control and balance. Core stability also increases power transfer between the upper and lower body while seated, especially while climbing or sprinting. The problem is that so many misconceptions exist about core strength. We all love six-pack abs, so most core workouts are just variations of ab crunches with maybe a token back-extension exercise: great for your modelling career, but quite useless for actual cycling.

Tom Danielson’s Core Advantage,

co-written with exercise physiologist and trainer Allison Westfahl, is not a generic core workout book re-badged for the cycling market. Instead, it is designed from the ground up with the specific posture and motion of cycling in mind and with instruction that will help prevent cycling injuries.

Another huge advantage is the holistic and progressive nature of the workouts. The core is targeted with 45 individual exercises grouped into three levels of five workouts. Each level is progressively harder, while the five workouts within each level lead from injury rehab, posture, stability, endurance, through to “Tommy D’s optimum performance workout.”

Each exercise is laid out very clearly with a written description and multiple photos, so performing it properly is no problem. Another bonus is that no equipment and very little space are needed, making core training easy at home.

Tom Danielson’s Core Advantage will be your own advantage out on the road.