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Hey guys, so I have just joined a gym and want to concentrate on moto fitness and strength. There’s so many contradicting articles, some saying you should train strength, others say it should be muscular endurance. So what do you guys do? I want to be stronger but all the workouts I have focus on max strength and getting big. If there’s so decent programs out there covering a range of exercise and cardio for a month or 2 that would be amazing. Don’t mind paying aswel.
Cheers
Cheers
A row machine is great for cardio.
Also very important is flexibility exercises (your hip flexors for example).
I’m probably getting to the gym 3/4 times a week for a hour. I do some core. The gym I’m at is pretty good for crossfit/core exercises. I might ask the instructor to write me a programme but I’m not quite sure what specifically to ask for?
You must ensure that you have a very good basic condition before you intervene. So train for a long time at low heart rate. If the base is very good you can go intervals. The rowing machine is the best in the gym. If it's a Concept2, you can compare your times online. 5km rowing you should be able to do around 19 minutes if you are fit. And never focus too much on 1 device, as alternation also running and cycling. And do not exercise too much strength, strong core is important. And dont forget a good rest, really important.
The Shop
If you like explosive exercises you can do pull ups, dips, leg raises and stuff like that.
The stronger you are on the bike the faster you'll be. Don't believe the myth that big muscles pump up while riding. All muscles, big and small will pump up during riding without proper cardio, that's why you need to mix strength training with cardio.
You'll be less prone to injuries the stronger and more flexible you are on a motorcycle.
My workout is strictly the machines inside my gym, no free weights at all. I do 3 circuits 3 times a week using around 85% of my Max, I don't do any particular amount of reps, I go till the muscle Burns Out.
One thing I refuse to do is running, but I am a firm believer in cardio, I ride my bicycle as often as I can and I hit a row machine every single day for 45 minutes.
Don't forget the core, that is another thing I do everyday weather at the gym or at my house, I do roughly 300 situps per day plus three sets of three minute planks.
I also have a yoga DVD that I do once a week for stretching.
To build up those slow twitch muscles, start with the compound exercises and lower the weight so that you can do 20-30 reps. When you are doing bar exercises, make sure your hands are always MX grip width apart. Make sure you are doing at least the following: Squat, Deadlift, Bent Over Row, Bench press.
I would stay away from focused exercises like bicep curls, tricep extensions etc. That won't do you any good on the bike.
As for cardio, row machines that have a sliding seat are the best form of cardio for motocross, outside of actual riding. Next would be swimming. Next would be road cycling or mountain biking.
Also, the basics. Make sure you sleep well, hydrate well daily, and are eating clean foods. Your diet and hydration are super important for athletic performance.
Also calisthenics such as push-ups, core-work and pull-ups are great for race fitness.
I'm also doing a lot more cardio than before. So I believe the muscle mass thing is true.
1hr few days a week with these foam roller, Kettle bells, Bar and weights, Rower and treadmill you are good to go
I'm a runner too, I run all the time and motocross keeps me motivated to do at least 3 or 4 miles 3 or 4 evenings a week.
When I think of all the local dudes I race with in 30+, only one other guy stands out who never, ever gets tired at the end of a moto on a hot day. He's a runner, runs up and down the hills in and around the track that he works at. Most of the other local 30+ guys slow down a bit after lap 3.
This time of year (Nov - Feb), we get so much rain and it's dark by 4pm so I just ride the exercise bike, or the concept rower while I watch old supercross races on you-tube, or bar-to-bar videos in the evening.
For me, nothing takes the fun out of racing like being so tired that you can't even ride safely. At least some run, bike, row, or swim a few times a week is the bare minimum to be safe for a 5 lap moto on Sundays.
Elliptical cross trainer
Sits ups
Push ups
Pull ups
core training on the ball
Lots of stretching and yoga
When I was training full time in martial arts, I'd incorporate some weight training, but don't do much of that these days. If I go to a gym, I usually make a circuit and do high rep training, at quite high intensity.
One thing is for sure.. Everyone reacts differently to training. What works for you, may not work so well for another.
Experience will teach you what works for you and how to adapt that as you get older, fitter or coming off a stint on the couch.
How you fuel and replenish your body is a big part of it, especially as you get a bit older.
I’m going to mix it up now, I have been focusing on running for a while now and you loose all the upper body strength, I actually feel really weak which I don’t like! It’s difficult getting the balance of training for strength and endurance. I went today and did squats, dead lift, box jumps etc so I’ll probablt mix some plymetrics in there aswel to keep it interesting. I always save 30 mins at the end at least for a cardio workout!
This isn't the only training I do, but it has some great core exercises and I think it complements moto pretty well. If I do this at max intensity, I literally can't stand to do it more than once a week. But it pays off and it is pretty quick, even if you do three sets. It's also a good way to do break the monotony of a routine.
Pit Row
You've already done the first part - Deciding you want to do something, now go get a heart rate monitor. You will get as many suggestions here as reply's. Though all will probably be better than nothing. I wouldn't worry too much about strength unless your rehabbing a weakness as much and you can always bulk up with minimal knowledge, that you probably already know. Lift heavy shit, eat lots of protein, sleep, repeat - you'll get stronger by just doing even cardio and stretch stuff if your into it. I believe you DO need structure and a plan though, and to keep it simple I suggest VT. find someone you can sign up for their remote onlne plan. Stick with it.-DONE
Your heart can only pump so much oxygen and blood....and the bigger the muscles , the more they need.
The better the cardio , the more blood and oxygen can get to your muscles , hence having bigger / stronger muscles go hand in hand with the cardio. If you get really strong with big muscles and your cardio sucks , you will get winded early ( look at body builders...they get winded just walking up to the stage , or just taking the garbage out ). Tri-athletes and big time cyclist are usually on the opposite side of that.....great cardio , but built like a bird.
You need a balance of strength and endurance. One can not out weigh the other. The goal is , be fit like a gymnast and have the cardio of a tri-athlete.
On a side note : cardio , if done correctly can start to help within a month or two ( maybe sooner ).....but it actually can take a few years before a person can reach his full potential. Seriously....2 - 3 years. It's tough to stick with it that long though....., and no I haven't been able to do it.
Honestly, the best I EVER felt on a bike was when I did P90X for the first time. I dropped 35 pounds and it seemed like I could ride/run/workout forever. I was never exhausted. The problem though...once I finished P90X..now what? I ended up getting hurt and when it came time to workout again I couldn't stand doing something I had memorized to a T.
What I learned from this though, you def. have to push yourself in many different ways. You gotta do plenty of HIIT. Plenty of traditional cardio, and yes you do have to be strong. But FLEXIBILITY..I cannot even speak to how important this is.
As someone else suggested, Yoga is great for this. You will prob. feel goofy doing it at first but its way harder than most people think. Its great for long sustained muscle endurance and, of course, the flexibility component is great.
Just keep it fun! I've been listening to the Coach Robb podcast on DMXS radio and I've enjoyed a lot of what he has talked about. It's got a lot of good information in there that clarifies a lot of things for me.
Oh....and more important than anything....DIET.
I don't ride anymore, but I was my fastest back when I used to run and mountain bike almost every day. I would alternate those activities. I also did some weights, but maybe only two days a week.
If you're old enough having a girlfriend really helps with your cardio too.
You'll be lean and ripped in no time bro.
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