Has getting stronger at the gym made me faster on the bike? (3 month check in)

[@Filthy_Rich_556]

P.S. This is the channel that got me into mtb. And eventually into vanlife. My life is better now. Watching from my built promaster.

[@_Chipster]

Yeah, I recently got into mtb after coming across this channel by looking into vanlife.

[@The_Sampler]

So whatcha think? Am I looking faster yet?? 💨😛

[@markfromtinder9616]

Yes. You are faster now.

[@rupedog]

Clearly much faster on that second run... Higher up berms... U need a garmin to track ur laps... And possibly a proper professional suspension set up it would seem🤟

[@Downhillbothways]

I’m sure you’re getting stronger you just need to make sure you’re getting enough protein, rest. Muscle won’t develop without it. alcohol is great too but will delay healing significantly on several fronts including decreasing protein synthesis. If you want to check your gains continue working out regularly but check yourself when you’re not sore, that is when your muscles are healed, on a sidenote, keep an eye on that elbow, ligaments joints and tendons Require different times to heal when compared to muscle. Also, if they get damaged significantly they will flare up for life! sometimes they take much longer than a muscle to heal so if you have soreness in your joints it’s a good time to take some days off and re-evaluate the exercises you did, the combination you did them in and if the exercises should be split to different days so u don’t break yoself 😆Letting joints go sore for days will not only mess up your work out, but may mess up your riding. This is my favorite channel man! Ur excitement is awesome when u ride and several of the trails you have done are now on my list for vacation this year! first place 18 road🎉

[@jodymcguire9474]

I do think you looked faster. I bet you would be even faster without the leaves, as you are surely subconsciously holding back a bit since you can’t read the trail well.

[@75keg75]

Looked fast in a couple of sections. Your breathing sounded a bit better - last few videos it sounded bad - wasn’t sure if mic position or lingering effects of covid. You were heavy breathing in Florida so I excluded altitude as factor… ride safe bro!!

[@Chris-nw4xd]

If climbs are getting easier and shorter, and you're finding yourself with some extra breath at the end. You're doing something right!

[@petedog9581]

Gotta cross train. Bike, weights, plyometrics... like box jumps, and really focus on core exercises and lower back. When you feel tight, you right confidently. Great work! Your riding always progresses when you stay healthy. Also, comprehensive stretching before and after the ride. Being fit enough to absorb the trail and crashes is the goal. They will happen. The best ability is availability.

[@j4yb0ne]

Yo! I've been watching you for about three years now. I remember being in a really anxious part of life and finding respite in relaxing watching your van build content back then. Since then a lot has changed and it's so cool to still be able to kick back and watch you absolutely kill it at something as cool and fun to watch as mountain biking. It's not even a hobby I'm into but it's your positive energy and constant focus on what you can improve that just makes me happy. Just wanted to say I appreciate you. Keep rocking 🤙

[@The_Sampler]

Yo Jeremiah what's up my dude! Really happy I stumbled on your comment; makes me feel really good that my vids can help get people through tough times, or even be just a small respite from the anxiety. So cool that you've been around the channel for so long, and hope to see still coming back in three more years! Rock on! 🤘

[@glennmanarin8260]

Hey Alex, I had crazy tendinitis in the elbows for a couple of years, mostly from lifting. Now I dead hang almost every time I go to the gym, even if just once after a workout, and elbows 99 percent better. Love all your videos, thanks!

[@The_Sampler]

I had been doing these occasionally at the gym, but will incorporate them a bit more, thanks for the info bro!

[@aaronthewhiz3160]

Fellow cyclist and power lifter here! I always train to failure on the last set of each exercise, and just going to 2 or 3 reps from failure on the sets leading up to that. After lifting, I always walk on the treadmill for a few minutes then go into the sauna. Doing these two things, along with performing every exercise with good technique, has helped me almost never be sore anymore! Cheers

[@SemiSendy]

I feel every bit of this! I’ve been back pushing hard in the gym and sticking to a schedule is tough when you want to do some big days on the bike too. Lots of water and lots of stretching is the only thing getting me through. I’ve had a few rides where I was actually pretty recovered, and it’s been 100% worth it. The climbs were breezy, and the descents light and steezy! Keep crushing it! 🤘

[@benridesbikes6975]

I even find a ride helps recovery if it's not too full on. Usually DOMs after squats can last 2 days but if I throw a breezy ride in it's usually just the one day.

[@benridesbikes6975]

I've been lifting weights for a lot longer than I've been riding MTB, but I still noticed a big difference when I started focusing on movements related to bike handling. I used to do a powerlifting program, but mixing it up with lots of shoulder, upper back and core training really improved my bike manipulation. I do contribute my years prior lifting, to the fact that I've never experienced an arm pump in MTB, so that's definitely a benefit to look forward to! Currently watching this with a mending collar bone, can't wait to get back on the bike and back in the gym!

[@alexdolan6046]

I just rode Trace yesterday! After doing Spencer Gap, the initial Trace climb is a ball buster and I'm about 80% on cleaning it. You need to have some good fitness to bomb down the rest at a consistent speed. You were flying!

[@Yeti_Boop]

Kettlebell Single Rack Reverse Lunge. These are excellent for core strength as well as leg strength, and because you are only weighted on one side, your core is having to compensate to keep you balanced while your arm and shoulders are working to hold the kettlebell in place. These have vastly improved my pedaling and overall control over the bike. I do them during my light leg day set and heavy leg day set. 10 reps per side on the light day and 5-8 reps per side with a heavier weight on heavy days. For added cardio, take little to no break between sides then rest between sets.

[@harleywalters5877]

It's Summer in New Zealand. Loving life riding in the sun. Love your channel. Get your butt to NZ and ride. Rotorua, Nelson, Queenstown, Wellington. Huge list...

[@XianEricXPROD]

Outstanding Alex. Yes it improves your overall well being which will improve the way you do everything. Just like sending regularly makes you a better rider, consistent weight training makes being stronger the norm. Keep after it.

[@my7hik]

Summer here in Tasmania, Australia 🎉. Beautiful weather forecast all week and I work right near two new track networks!

[@chumpmtb2554]

Yeah man. I started strength training 2 years ago after 15 years of riding. I always assumed to get faster/better/stronger at climbing all I needed to do was ride more. I was riding up to 6 days p/wk for a while. I was absolutely blown away by the difference after lifting for a few months. Esp stand pedaling on steep sections, or needing that extra burst to get up techy stuff. Definitely my strategy for life from now on 👍 There's also probably a bit of a T boost effect as well from lifting. Just naturally makes you more confident, calm, and less edgy about taking risks on the trail 🤷‍♂

[@grh118]

Trace is the most underrated trail in the area :) So much fun. Easy return. Easy to get to.

[@audiophizile13]

Looking good to me! I've ridden Spencer but not trace. This is pretty much my backyard now so I need to get out there more. Only 1.5 mile ride to the back of bent creek. No excuses.

[@jacksonweston6563]

Watching from Adelaide Australia where we are just going into autumn. Beautiful 30 degrees Celsius today.

[@mikegehard6402]

Nice! Love the feeling of getting stronger off the bike when you are on the bike. If you make it to Chattanooga, let me know. Happy to show you around.

[@jasonrollwagen5121]

Great day for biking today Alex! Able to go for a ride today from up north in Northern Ontario On my fat bike :)! Cheers from your Canadian winter bike viewers!

[@joed899]

Hi from the sunny coast Australia where its 28 deg C and 60% humidity. Your climbing is definitely improving and hopefully the dh is becoming more stable.

[@casieryback8932]

Just finished a fat bike ride @ Rockwood Park,shout out from New Brunswick Canada.

[@jonjustinlanier]

Absolutely love Trace Ridge!

[@JJMassar]

My legs still get sore for days following a workout and I haven’t taken a major break in lifting for years. The soreness will get better and more manageable though for you after a few months. Keep up the awesome work!

[@stevejackson4089]

You ride faster than my Internet. Its like watching single track minecraft. Keep on training and keep enjoying the weather when you can

[@safetyjerry]

Throw back some bccas after every workout helps a little with soreness. 80 degrees here in Louisiana and remarkably dry so we did about 8 miles on trails this morning. No snakes out today, but 3 cottonmouths on Thursday evenings ride

[@markfromtinder9616]

I took a lateral tear and tore my MCL back in September. And ive been in the gym off and on since. I've noticed the very same thing this week. Climbs don't tire me and my arms and hand don't get sore.

[@stoneenforcer]

Noticeable improvement on speed and handling. I workout 2-3 days at the gym and it makes a big difference in my skill set.

[@nmnate]

As I get older, I find my elbows and shoulders more or less limit how much I do in the gym. Some lifts really can stress the connective tissue in a way that just takes longer to recover. It does take a little time to find the lifts that work for you (or modify your technique a little). Sometimes it's just needing a little more exercise variety. Other times you need to hit some higher rep sets (maybe 8-15 instead of sets of 5). Additionally, you need to ensure there's balance in your training so that your joints are balanced (or if there's a weakness / tightness in a certain muscle, you need to address that). Basically... just listen to your body, there are signs. Elbows are tricky, can be problems in your wrist / forearm, upper arm, or shoulder to address the cause. But yeah, I love lifting. I think it does help quite a bit with the burlier MTB stuff. You can better absorb a huck, g-out, etc and you can generate more force to pop off stuff. Sure, extra leg strength really helps in those maximal effort (sprints, etc), but I think core and low back strength is soooo nice to have on top of all the other areas. 💪

[@vienna5335]

i'm a big dude, like short and fat, and i can definitely attest to going to the gym and working out even just a little makes me feel stronger on the bike. without a doubt! i have more confidence on the trails too, and i can climb more without having to take so many breaks. keep it up dude!

[@bonham4994sts9]

You figuring out that climb isn't as bad as you thought cracked me up. 😆 You were just so pleasantly surprised

[@adriancurley2598]

Pre ride hype up for me 32°c here waring for it to cool off always enjoy watching your videos man, from Brisbane Australia 🇦🇺

[@Filthy_Rich_556]

This is riding season for us here in Arizona. Unfortunately it is a nasty rainy day so no ride for me. So thanks for the video so I can get my fix. It was 65 and sunny yesterday and I rode all day. So I guess I can't complain.

[@TheStache_MTB]

Stoked to have you appearing on my KZbin videos to watch again! Hope you have a stellar year!

[@fillfreakin2245]

I'm amazed that you find that weather is winter. There's no snow, so it's riding season in my book, no matter what the temperature. The cooler temperatures are the best time to ride. That's the difference between someone from Florida and someone from Canada I guess.

[@mtbville]

Awesome content buddy 🤩🤟 I have had a lot of problems with my elbows and it even made me stop going to the gym. However, I started again but changed my program. Light weights and more reps to begin with. It is important that the tendons and places other than just the muscles get used to it.

[@The_Sampler]

Such good info, and that's basically where I'm at. Gonna have to kinda reset back to the super light weights, which is fine. I gotta remember I haven't actually been lifting for like 5 years and I'm not 21 anymore lol

[@notice_fpv]

​@@The_Sampler Age comes for us all! LOL

[@_drawkward_]

@@The_Sampler you shouldn't be sore days after a workout a couple months in. I would say that you need more recovery time from your gym sessions and perhaps a drop in intensity in your lifting. Keep at it, bro. It makes a big difference. I have found that consistency beats intensity ten times out of ten.

[@bcparkinson82]

@@_drawkward_ Comon now leg day is gonna urn for two days at least. Shorter if ya drink an crap ton of water.

[@twright1211]

I hear ya man. Last year I did a bunch of HIIT workouts to supplement riding and I know it made a difference. This year I'm lifting and doing 1/4-1/2 the HIIT. We'll see how it goes. Here's to '23 being a killer riding year for all!

[@mtnhighs]

Man you definitely faster - you descend right on the edge & I love that . Just finished my 32 mile ride but no downhill like that here. Ease up on the heavy weight and give your elbow a break; I’ve had the same issue many times

[@jodymcguire9474]

Hey Alex, thanks for your videos! Regarding your elbow, if you don’t already, try taking the vitamin turmeric every day. It has done wonders for my joints. I had an elbow that wouldn’t heal up a couple of years until i started taking turmeric and boom, within a week it felt immensely better. No pain these days.

[@JonathanEbert-JE]

Nice North Mills rip! I've been working on the cross training in the gym this winter too, trying to stay away from minor but incapacitating injuries this year.

[@64chrisg]

Stretching everyday should help with the muscle soreness from the workouts. I've also added a 15 min yoga routine before bed, which has helped. Personally, when I consciously try to ride harder/faster I will end up being sloppy, take a bad line, etc. If I ride faster because I'm getting better and naturally progressing, I do much better. BTW, you always look fast on two wheels :)

[@Kcducttaper1]

Getting a good post-workout shake helps a lot with soreness. Also, if I know I have a rippin ride coming up on X day, I'll be sure NOT to do legs at least 1 day for sure, but maybe even 2 days before the ride depending on how rowdy the ride is.

[@tomoncedead]

Watching from QLD Australia. I'm literally waiting for it to cool down a bit so I can go hit the trails.

[@flgfish]

It makes a huge difference. Keep it up dude!

[@jethrolindqvist]

Trust me, you will not be jealous about the Australian summer 😂 Constant 100+ Fahrenheit weather… here in Aus, mountain biking is more a winter thing (for me at least)

[@denisrogers4358]

Shed-lord Alex ! SO on-point… Take care of your body ! Your doing your viewers a solid 🤛 by this education !

[@JoseOjedaMTB]

Its summer for me over here... I absolutely hate it. Too hot, everything is so dry (we are on a draught of over 10 years), trails are full of moon dust (or anti-grip as we call it). Its absolute misery. On the other hand, our winters are pretty mild and whatever rain we get, it makes the trails amazing. We actually wait for winter to ride fast.

[@DMMTB]

I'm in Sydney Australia & it's the last day of Summer. Went for a ride after work in hot and humid conditions 🥵

[@JM9.]

From Australia and yes it’s summer right now! We do happen to go into autumn in 2 days though😭

[@leobrianas1485]

If you ever find yourself close to Maryland, head to the Frederick Watershed. It’s some of the best janky downhill

[@putzyx]

Watching from New Zealand and yes it is summer.

[@theandymancan]

You are definitely less winded after the climbs 😁... Would say after some good gym time, even if I don't notice a major speed increase (usually that comes with more riding and confidence) I definitely notice that I have stronger handling of the bike, especially in technically challenging situations. One usually leads to the other though, so keep it up!

[@Jailbikeco]

I am commenting from the Aussie sunshine, keep an eye on that elbow, I got savage tennis elbow and its hard to get rid of. Look into the exercises you are doing and any potential risks. Good luck

[@snat6299]

Checking in from NZ its summertime here in Rotorua! NC/FL boy here teaching about Jesus and sampling Singletrack😊

[@zemon0997]

you should go biking at silver mountian idaho over the summer its were i first rode a mountian bike and it is the most amazing place ever(also theres a super big water park at the resort)😃

[@Smackindaface]

Enjoying the new style of videos, I think it works better for you versus the story telling style

[@macleod1592]

Can't ride here too much in Tennesee. It's freaking rained for 3 months straight. All the trails are straight mud bogs right now.

[@mathewmccabe2658]

The soreness from lifting won’t last forever. Fitness will shine through. We are getting older though so overuse injuries are real

[@dirtclodadventures]

That elbow issue is probably from one of the specific lifts that your doing...could be just a tweak in technique to fix it or might be exacerbating an underlying injury (in which case ya might need to stop said lift). In any event another great vid, always love the commentary as you ride.

[@greich7]

If you can clear the Trace climb and have it be "not as hard as I remembered" then I think you're in shape, haha.

[@danieltobias8373]

Yes! Clearing Trace after the climb up there...is a goal I hope to get to one day! Very few people i see up there actually make it.

[@tomcarney654]

Looks good ,for the arm pump try different grips . I use rev grips and they work very well I do not get arm pump riding my hardtail and I live on socal . I also use good compliant carbon bars

[@jynx2501]

When it comes to being sore. Keep a low dosage of ibuprofen in your system. Takes the edge off, but not so much where you risk further injury by being able to completely ignore your body's warning signs.

[@bluescoob07]

HELL YEAH! That was faster. Looks like your back with vengeance.

[@nostr8ghtlinzs596]

I think your riding is great!

[@jeffwertz8108]

As for the leg soreness stick with the lifting and with consistency there you will get the strength gains with much less pain as your muscles adapt. My son's college baseball team did squats everyday for a month and it sounded like a bad idea to me and was tough at first but by the end of the month their muscles were keeping up just like you can do pushups everyday. But you know the difference between "good" muscle soreness pain and the pain that is going on in your elbow.

[@LoamerMTB]

Jesus dude… you’re NUKING! 🤘Looks like some premo winter riding.

[@saulm9794]

Man I envy you so much, but I ride with you in spirit. Ty for the videos we need this type of freedom.

[@JRHockney]

Good to see you are working out...but what ever you do, don't get Tennis Elbow! It takes forever to heal (if it even does heal) and it makes riding technical uphill a freaking painful nightmare. I've had it in both elbows and my right elbow still hasn't healed after a year and my left still flames up occasionally...Its basically destroyed my workouts since I can't bench any heavy weight or do pullups without inflaming it...if you think you have it, get with a professional fast before it goes from tendinitis to tendinosis like mine probably has. I initially got mine trying that crazy Hall Ranch Bitterbrush rock tech section climb (that you got on the second try last time) too many times in a row and now I'll probably never get it...

[@jeremyohart4536]

As long as Your having fun and feeling better does it really matter if you’re faster ? I do think it is time to get myself back in the gym though. Thank You Alex for your great content .

[@roadracer46]

Definitely looked faster after the 10 minute mark. Those leaves are dangerous- lol The oak leaves are falling here FL and can make the trails tricky.

[@nohemoglibin8677]

awesome video. feeling stoked. Pretty spicy trail.

[@dansheridan9904]

Felt like summer at Alafia today!

[@mrrims]

Always sore after lighting weights and that’s a good thing!

[@boonerichardson1639]

Yeah man, I ride my best when I’m gym-strong. And well rounded leg strength and core strength keeps the knee and back pain away respectively.

[@AdventureAwaits4u]

Faster! You are moving!!! Not sure how you stick to the trail with all those leaves! 😳 Nice job.

[@mrdrifty6580]

Do those bushes flower in the spring? You should film if they do that would be awesome

[@liammulligan1279]

Didn't get out today. It's quite dry here in Ireland 🇮🇪. Give my sons Aaron and Liam og Mulligan. A big shout out .

[@thomasrussell1225]

Ride on bro. You are lucky to ride all the time. Good job.

[@fademasterfade227]

Nice work man. keep it up!

[@Accuracy158]

I went out for a ride today (north east PA). I was terribly out of shape and did a lot of walking. LuL

[@brettjohnson9453]

Finding that balance between gym work and riding is such a challenge. What helped me was having the mindset that the gym is supporting my riding so I lowered the intensity at the gym. Strength still improved but I wasn’t sore to the point I was missing rides

[@oldladynissanturbo9749]

Found you're channel by Seth's channel. Greetings from the Netherlands ✌🏻

[@stevenagel6096]

From South Africa, mid summer here :)

[@kahoycrafts]

Nice riding! Yup I'm trying to lift weights as well, it's hard to keep my bodyweight up with all the climbing. 😄

[@tomassanesson902]

Awesome to see you👍epik trail 🤘

[@bryansuperduke1290r]

Fatigue will mask you fitnes, you need to program in a D load/rest week, where you do a load less weight and reps. Take it easy in mtb that week and do a couple of easy swims in a pool if you can.

[@eduagmodr3541]

yes it's summer for me haha, greetings from chile. oh y suerte con seguir yendo al gimnasio.

[@Jamesfrancosdog]

The gym hasn’t necessarily made me a better rider, but it has helped my endurance, strength, and recovery especially. The time between rides isn’t as sore or uncomfortable, and my body feels much more ready to go again much faster. I’m also learning how to fuel myself better too. Always recommend working out!

[@SithLordBishop]

I used to bike commute to work a few days a week, play hockey, and MTB. My legs were always dead. I had to cut back hah

[@Chuck_T88]

MSM for those sore joints. If you are lifting weights and mtb on the reg, then this stuff is essential.

[@JolandaVorster]

From South Africa - was a very hot 🥵 day today out on the trails

[@enriquemaya7624]

hell yeah man you are super fast. !!

[@MichaelWareFitnes]

English man watching from Santiago, Chile and it’s summer here.

[@BurninatorTheTrogdor]

Stair Master and super set everything. I can take months off as long as I'm hitting the Stair Master hard. It's almost a climbing position.

[@shellderp]

my strength training did little for climbs.. probably helps in other ways but I trained well before I started mtb

[@pataskren7524]

Looks faster to me! Come back to Ventura county, let’s ride man

[@simonhill4791]

Great vid, love your vlog style - so relaxed/ real 👍👍

[@ignaciotapia6704]

I've found that locking your elbows will cause tendonitis. Examples bench press, shoulder press etc.

[@Chrismzeller]

Hey can you post something on your training routine? Have you done any cardio to add to lifting? If so how if it’s not riding?

[@SmirksNZ]

I'm from New Zealand. Yea it's summer but we've had rain and storms where I am. The trails are all shanked :⁠'⁠(