I think it's worth mentioning weight gain as well. There must be an optimum calorific/nutritional intake to facilitate the development of strong muscle fibres without bulking up to the detriment of your performance in a specific discipline.
As I've mentioned before, the year I was coached through a tough free weights (and circuit training) programme, I went up to 75kg in weight, although prior to that I was heavier than the compact 63kg I race at these days. I outgrew all my cycling kit, felt totally pumped and cardiovascularly fantastic, and yet I had one of my worst seasons on the bike.
There were obvious mistakes, and I think the club coach got as obsessed with my weight/circuit programme as I did, and totally failed to 'convert' that into on the bike power, or at least a strong scaffold to support my cycling power. And I suddenly couldn't climb like I used to, with power to weight ratio for 2min hillclimbs dropping from about 9w/kg to 7.5kw/kg.
The following year, I dropped weight (& circuit training) altogether, worked out a 4 month winter turbo schedule concentrating on seated strength and power (which was a real labour of hate), and just started riding away from people I used to consider untouchable on flat terrain.
I'm not saying integrating a weight programme into that schedule wouldn't have caused further gains, just that I had to prioritise due to time constraints. And it didn't stop me knocking out a few token (but routine) press-ups, crunches, and dumbbell lifts at home - but we're talking bare bones stuff.
I think it's worth mentioning weight gain as well. There must be an optimum calorific/nutritional intake to facilitate the development of strong muscle fibres without bulking up to the detriment of your performance in a specific discipline.
As I've mentioned before, the year I was coached through a tough free weights (and circuit training) programme, I went up to 75kg in weight, although prior to that I was heavier than the compact 63kg I race at these days. I outgrew all my cycling kit, felt totally pumped and cardiovascularly fantastic, and yet I had one of my worst seasons on the bike.
There were obvious mistakes, and I think the club coach got as obsessed with my weight/circuit programme as I did, and totally failed to 'convert' that into on the bike power, or at least a strong scaffold to support my cycling power. And I suddenly couldn't climb like I used to, with power to weight ratio for 2min hillclimbs dropping from about 9w/kg to 7.5kw/kg.
The following year, I dropped weight (& circuit training) altogether, worked out a 4 month winter turbo schedule concentrating on seated strength and power (which was a real labour of hate), and just started riding away from people I used to consider untouchable on flat terrain.
I'm not saying integrating a weight programme into that schedule wouldn't have caused further gains, just that I had to prioritise due to time constraints. And it didn't stop me knocking out a few token (but routine) press-ups, crunches, and dumbbell lifts at home - but we're talking bare bones stuff.