Cycling is usually thought of as cardiovascular activity and rightly so. But bike riding also works the skeletal muscles. The production of power to drive the pedals involves complex activation of several muscle groups. Of course, the muscles most used in cycling are the legs, but you use muscle groups through the trunk and upper body. Depending on your cycling discipline, the level activation of these groups will vary.
The glutes are an important and often misunderstood muscle group in cycling. Following these tips for glute activation can help you work more efficiently and avoid injury.
Join us live for another episode of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast! We’ll be covering why retired pro cyclists are still so fast, years after retirement, how cadence and different muscles affect fatigue, and some recent research on nutrition hacks. Tune in Thursday, April 4 at 8:00am Pacific.