muscle tension

Originally Posted by vscalia

quick question,

what do people think about muscle tension? Seems to me that sustained tension intervals ie over 5 min would build strength, and also may take the place of time in the gym. After all when you are on the bike, the muscles you build are specific to biking. I read some article by Andy Coggan earlier today and he wasnt to fond of the idea. But it seems to me that as long as you are careful not to injur your knees and also dont forget how to actually pedal at a high cadence than it would make you stronger. And therfore be able to have that 95 rpms but in a harder gear.

also i know that this is the power forum, i just didint think i needed to spill my guts about weather or not i thought i had a good power and blah blah. Thus my question about ways to build more power

wun

Originally Posted by Alex Simmons

1. Low cadence efforts don't build strength. The forces involved are simply too small to induce such adaptations.

2. There is no evidence to demonstrate that doing them will improve ability to generate power any more than simply riding up a hill at the same speed (power) with a higher/normal cadence.

3. What they will do is help you to ride up hills with a low cadence (which maybe helpful should that instance ever occur in the riding you intend to do, e.g. you run out of gears on a steep grade or ride a fixie).

Originally Posted by Alex Simmons

3. What they will do is help you to ride up hills with a low cadence (which maybe helpful should that instance ever occur in the riding you intend to do, e.g. you run out of gears on a steep grade or ride a fixie).