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So much breeze on this page about strength training!
Size doesn't always equal strength. If I've not been in the gym for a month, my legs will still be the same size, but I won't be able to get nearly as much out of them. I will be able to do 5 reps in a set at a weight I was able to do 10 at a month ago. That matters.
It's stupid to think that strength isn't important though. If strength work was without value to road cyclists, then none of them would do it - the reason that they keep the weight down and reps up is because they are all completely neurotic about weight. Crit racers and track racers are absolute monsters who spend loads of time in the gym - just look at Clancy et al.
And as for in the gym versus on the bike - most road cyclists do weight training during a build phase in the winter. Would you rather do low cadence hill reps in rain/ice/snow/sub zero temps or squats in a nice warm gym where you can have a steam and a shower after?
I've done both this winter and I know which I preferred.
Lastly - and pretty importantly, compound lifts like squats and deadlifts really build up all stabilising muscles (core, back etc) in a way that cycling never does, and that you'd be hard pushed to recreate with planks and 'cyclists core' workouts you see in magazines. Cycling requires those muscles but doesn't build them. Muscle also protects bone in a crash.
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edit: that wasn't so much a reply to @Smallfurry - more one to a bunch of stuff on this page
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dan
@Smallfurry
I feel core work at the gym is good.
My legs are massive though. So I dont bother working them. I get dropped on a near daily basis buy guys With legs half the size. So i cant believe I need them.
For leg strength you can just do a few low cadence/ high resistance drills.
I've been doing 'Sufferfest - Powerstation' to work mine a bit pre-season. But now the hills are defrosting I wont bother. I bet they get more than enough from the odd hilly ride.