How To Climb Out Of The Saddle

[@gcn]

Do you like to climb out the saddle? 👇

[@johnsmythe9449]

Emma, you are just amazing...I am in awe of your ability to pedal out of saddle in such a high cadence. Thanks loads for this video and your recent videos on cycling treats - aka nutrition videos! Im from the US, why do Brits say Porridge instead of Oats?

[@ardarazi8472]

Global Cycling Network it helps im mtb. When your going up real steep stuff.

[@collins735]

I love getting out of the saddle, I use the radio tower on zwift as an out of saddle interval after gunning up the initial climb seated. Did wonders for my endurance. Plus the bike always feels lighter once your bums off it 😉

[@stephentuthill4598]

Yes, for steeper shorter climbs... I have taught myself to spin in the saddle for longer climbs though!

[@ivarbrouwer197]

Most of my climbing is done standing when percentage comes above 5/6 percent. when the surface is whet or gravel or really steep I sit down again. I love standing climbing so much that i had to start practise climbing seated. (I used to be a real dancer, but these days, getting older i'm more grinding my way up, in general with age my cadence has dropped and my power has increased but the speed is about the same or a little less)

[@Sgt6217]

"90% technique 50% effort." Us mere mortals are on a weak 0-100% system, Emma.

[@Soda88]

volodya putin approves

[@Saverio49]

Two components of out of the saddle climbing: technique and effort. Give each a percentage scale and then it makes sense. Along those lines I would think sprinting would be 100% effort and say, 40% technique. There is probably a better way to say that mathematically.

[@ferbyfurben9640]

when i realized those two summed to a number greater than 100, i knew I'd never ride out of the saddle

[@sepg5084]

So 140%? I guess i will never be good at riding out of the saddle

[@পিপঁড়ামিয়া-প৮ণ]

😅😅😅

[@curbowman]

I'm impressed with Ms. Pooley language abilities. We have heard her speaking eloquently in Spanish, French and Italian. As if being a 1st-class athlete wasn't enough!!

[@mrmrmaples]

Alex Lopez and a Dr!

[@chawanatn]

IMO, Emma and Matt are two of the best when it comes to the calm, technical, and efficient demeanor, very suitable for tutorials. I wish GCN could produce more videos, especially for near-absolute beginners who just got out of the "red phase" (safety) and jumped into the "I want to ride now but I'm not sure what to do" phase.

[@MrWhitefeather93]

Emma has been one of the greatest additions to the team. I find her videos great, I do miss Matt but the video quality just keeps getting better and better. Thank you.

[@gcn]

Thanks MrWhitefeather93

[@PathfinderGregg]

As someone who rode a bike as a kid, gave it up when I got a drivers license, and have only owned two bikes since (one beach bike and one mountain bike) and rarely rode either of those I find your tutorial videos very helpful. I find myself now owning a very e pensive touring bike and wanting a road bike for exercise. Thanks very much!

[@loopie007]

Emma really hits it home for me at 6:45. When I am climbing, I often stand up for a short interval to practice my technique. I used to hate standing. (I'm too big) But after doing some short and not to difficult intervals, I became much more comfortable and now I stand all the time, even if it's just to show I can do it. The more I practice, the easier it gets. Give it about six rides or two weeks. I try to think about the pace I climb stairs and try to match that pace and effort. Then it feels like climbing stairs!

[@infinati]

Probably the best video on the subject I've come across

[@richardstephenson7501]

GCN has always been fantastic advice and fun, and the addition of Emma takes it up another notch. Let us know when you're coming to Colorado.

[@SignorLuigi]

Thank you. Great video. Smart, clean, and clear. I teach physics for a living and really appreciate your proper use of torque and force. I could use your video as a piece for class discussion!

[@gcn]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@jpmartin100]

Emma, your trainning/technique videos are great! Keep em coming!

[@gcn]

Thanks Jean-Philippe Martin

[@johnbouttell5827]

Great video Emma. I've discovered that I can keep a good cadence on long steep hills by doing 30-30; 30 seconds dancing, 30 seconds sitting. I count the seconds: 'One elephant, two elephants ..."

[@gcn]

Thanks John Bicycle

[@demacherius1]

Wow where are you riding ? we dont have that many elephants around here 🤣

[@Quepedal]

Another great piece! All the basics well explained in the best possible way. How many times on rides have I seen cyclists doing incorrect things when they climb. Here the reasons and the correct form. Well done Emma!

[@gcn]

Thanks Miguelangel Da Vila

[@Warshadowfh]

I grew up in Los Angeles in Golden age of skateboarding and bmx. We always rode out the saddle because we were kids and it looks cool. Im going to strength training has helped me. I can ride out of the saddle 80 % of the time. I love it.

[@casasjt]

Another informative vid. featuring Emma.. good work GCN

[@gcn]

Cheers John

[@theonesickman]

She is so far more advanced than she gives herself credit for. Thank You for all the tips. Beautiful country to ride as well.

[@EvidenceofaFabulousLife]

Good morning Emma, thank you for the video. I saw a video from a bike fitting guy some time ago that discussed the issue that many people blame their saddle for being uncomfortable, when actually they should stand up more (regularly) to allow blood flow and to stretch muscles out. I try to remember to do at least 25 pedal strokes out of the saddle every 15 minutes (mountain bike), especially when climbing. It really helps me and I often find that after gearing up two gears to stand, I can then only gear down one gear afterwards and sustain that for a period, before going back to my original gear, allowing me to climb faster. Using this technique has enabled me to regain many a lost wheel on a long, stony climbs. Ride on! Tim

[@gcn]

Thanks for the comment Tim!

[@diogoalmeida8211]

Great video! Congrats. I've found that many newcomers to cycling have a really hard time riding out of the saddle specially those that come form gym spinning classes. I think it's because on the gym you cannot sway the bike when you stand and devolop a different technique. Sometimes with a lot of vertical movement of the body. When they try it on the road it just doesn't work. Any ideas on how to grasp with this?

[@lomtlt5017]

I will apply all your tips tomorrow, on my first ever hills ride.

[@dougallstewart1268]

Greasy Scott. How did you guys know I was trying to improve my out of saddle riding. Started at 2 seconds and now up to 30 secs. Great stuff Emma.

[@dougallstewart1268]

Mind you I was lifting 30 stone and am now lifting 16.7 :-)

[@ardarazi8472]

Dougall Stewart its easy just practice

[@dougallstewart1268]

ozan razi lol not at 30 stone it’s not. Mind you your quite right about practice 👍

[@gcn]

Awesome - great improvement

[@benanderson9551]

Well done on the weight loss and kudos on continuing to improve yourself.

[@EllipticGeometry]

Table of contents: 3:52 5:18 Minor correction at 3:20: the very issue is that (combined) momentum is already conserved. All else being equal, by moving forward you push the bike backward, relatively far because you're that much heavier than the bike. The extra push _adds_ momentum to offset that. To be fair, I think Emma is aware of this and it was just a poor choice of words. I just want to avoid confusion.

[@jeremylutersz3374]

This is a really great video. Thanks I loved it, well done!! I used to live on a bike when I was younger but then got away from it. And finally found it again, but there’s a lot I forgot. You guys and girls are awesome.

[@gcn]

Thats great to hear! Thanks for the support!

[@patricklindsay1688]

Another great video, Emma! You hit on all the reasons why my climbing is so poorly done, and what I need to do to improve it.

[@damonexcell8516]

Your two new presenters need to bring their 'A game', cuz Emma is setting the bar very high. Great job Emma!!

[@rrobotman]

Every video how to from Emma helps me improve just a little bit. Ever closer to some version of perfection! 😀💕

[@johanoseroff9081]

This video was just what i needed. Did a 300km sportive the other weekend and found myself out of the saddle alot in the end beacuse my bum hurt. But also it was alot fo hills. So i feel i need to practice my out of the saddle technique more. I also did it on an old Steel Road bike with 12 gears. So there was alot of climbing standing up involved :) Thanx again for a great video !

[@gcn]

Great to hear you can make the most of Emma's top tips

[@armynyus9123]

Funny: Wifey delivered bike to my office yesterday, all parts, except one: Seatpost... => Just rode nearly 50km without a saddle - and now youtube suggests this (great) video, spooky.... Btw: It did actually work very well, was afraid that after 10km or so some body part would quit, but no, legs kept going very well, only problem maybe the hands, they got a bit stiff with all the weight on flat and downhill sections. And yes, on the flat sections I was significantly slower - but only because you just can't have the same cadence, so I was basically missing gears. But on the hilly part I noticed that I could comfortably do 2 cogs higher than usual - which I found very interesting. Maybe I do it again, just for fun but in any case I try to ride out of the saddle far more often, seems to help with the legs recovery.

[@noahmills2884]

Love that Trek Emma! I ride out the saddle often. Couldn't agree with you more. I think body position fore and aft is under emphasized. Practicing riding out the saddle while not attacking or accelerating I've found to be particularly helpful as well.

[@gcn]

Cheers Noah, glad you enjoyed Emma's top tips

[@valerie1682]

Thanks Emma. I'm new to cycling but I feel more motivated to ride.

[@gcn]

Awesome!

[@patrickhance7348]

I do klime out of the saddle and for a long time for me it's like running.nic video emma.pat from Belgium 🚴👊

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed the video Pat

[@gregoxenham2842]

Oh Emma we really miss you. You are an inspiration. Surely Switzerland has less attraction than the GCN Office in Bristol

[@CreRay]

Another very useful video, presented by someone who is absolutely renowned for dancing on the pedals! "Smoothly as a gazelle", well you just gave a demonstration Emma:-) I do have a question though: I have gotten the impression that smaller/lighter people tend to ride more often out of the saddle than taller/heavier people. Could it be that for the taller/heavier category, riding out of the saddle is actually harder? I also noticed that women more often than men seem to completely avoid riding out of the saddle, when asked they always talk about stability. Just a personal observation.

[@MVProfits]

My climbing out of the saddle or riding long & hard seated on the drops really improved while training these... inside during the winter! IDK why but that's where it drastically improved. Probably because we can focus on that and nothing else while doing it. A mistake I made a lot and still make sometimes is to sit back down while the climb is not over yet - that goes for short climbs obviously but I got that habit I had to overcome. Oh, and chain jumps are nasty while out of the saddle.

[@daveyoung6680]

Good that you mention the kickback Emma, great video, loving your series of informative features.

[@gcn]

Thanks Dave - let us know if there is anything else you would like to see covered

[@gloriasaldivar1732]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I've always wondered how everyone still rides so easily out of the saddle. ❤

[@raybarber9526]

One of the best GCN videos yet.

[@bosanderspublictheology]

By far the most helpful explanation of this that I have found. Thank you.

[@gcn]

You're very welcome!

[@zedatomic8342]

As expected - great video. One comment on swaying the bike. The purpose is to use the frame like a lever by swaying the frame/bike in the opposite direction away from the leg driving downwards. By doing this, you are effectively pulling the crank upwards adding more power - at least that's the theory I am familiar with...

[@edhill8568]

I love to pedal out of the saddle as a training exercise. Sometimes I'll ride out of the saddle for 10-15 miles only sitting for downhills and when approaching an intersection. I have improved my climbing power significantly and now pass many of my co-riders who are asking me why I'm so much stronger? I don't do it to go faster just to improve my strength and make it easier to climb at a fairly easy pace. I'm 73, male

[@stepforward9498]

Nice Emma. Motivates me. I have to ride now

[@YoloMonstaaa]

That's a cool Emma you got there

[@ardarazi8472]

Is kinda easy but a pro explaining it always adds some depth.

[@adamholbrook2281]

Thanks Emma. Great backdrop for a video too. Amazing location/ scenery.

[@rsmenton]

Really good segment, Emma. Thanks! I think you hit all the keys.

[@MoneyMakerRealty]

You look great riding out of the sattle. You make it look so effortless

[@maryjanepierce]

Thanks, now I have some specific things to look for when I ride and some hints on things to try in training!

[@gtgeorge1814]

These are great tips. Watching your shadow will help with your form too.

[@reidwagner1508]

Glad I'm not the only one who can't sprint or attack. I can do stints out of the saddle but it's just to look cool. Love your videos

[@gcn]

Thanks Reid

[@conanfa18]

Very good explanation! Great technical content! Bravo, GCN! She is a keeper! Mad respect!

[@ahafeezs]

Dancing = 90% Technique + 50% Effort. So, does that mean we always have to give 140% every time ?

[@nandarizkiee]

that is r8 my friend, 100% is in your leg, + 40% with your whole body weight

[@ahafeezs]

Emmazing!

[@minnelos1048]

Yes, that's why it's so hard

[@OGchickentnt]

Of course!

[@coverchick]

Great stuff, Emma!

[@dbest1aVlogs]

Love her accent... 💓

[@poincareconjecture5651]

Emma and GCN you guys please go ride in Japan its amazing and has all the climbs and the people are so kind! and also we want to see Emma riding in the United States please! Will be so cool!

[@allancruz4432]

Great explanation and a lot lot better than the other similar topic gcn video.

[@Niklas_J_L]

I have empirically also found keeping your head still (i.e. no body-sway) and going in a straight line (i.e. no slalom-riding) is more effective and less wasteful, but I think Alberto Contador would like to disagree :-)) Loving these training videos by Emma, very inspirational. Any day now I'll get to the perspirational part, I swear.

[@vladamirkb1]

I like Emmas bike.I think Trek makes the nicest bikes.I have an Sl6 Domone

[@johnptc]

emma continues to rock :) another great presentation !! thanks

[@netwolff]

Well, I should be awesome out of the saddle. Bodyweight I have in abundance :D Honestly now, nice video, kinda love Emma's videos!

[@ImranShaikh-gh2wd]

Another great video. Your a natural presenter. Thanks for the tips.

[@yourstrulytk12worldaffairs]

she isn't so young but still so good at cycling! respect and wishes from my side!

[@daydreaming_aristocrat]

0:13 "The riding out of the saddle is 90% technique and only 50% effort." Then, I guess, having a light weight bike contributes the further 30% and a healthy diet about 15%, and all adds up (as it should) to 185 of the maximum 185 percent. Nice!

[@chickenpoodle]

its why riding out of the saddle looks cooler!!! it all adds up now!!!

[@itarry4]

Was going to say, her maths is obviously not as good as her climbing.

[@JonPaul]

Not bad.. But I think each factor has its own scale. So, in the technique category, go to 90% of none (0%) to perfect (100%). Then in the effort category, only go to 50% on that 0-100% scale. Nice!

[@AP-vd8ve]

Quick maffs

[@emmapooley433]

Ian Nick Tarry it was meant to be a joke

[@lisapet160]

5:20 Mountain Lioness 3:13 I'd dare to disagree. "When you stand-up, pull yourself forward, not kick bike back and not just stand-up above saddle". Another aspect that either I missed or is not on the video: for higher cadence use your "back foot" as pedal rotation stabilizer. Yes: slightly resist your "front foot" down-stroke with that "rear foot" holdback. This way you'll be riding at lower gear with higher cadence. That must be "perfected" on stationry bike or whils riding on flats: you'll get that propelling smootheness feeling.

[@alainpfammatter8224]

Your Trek is so nice Emma. 👍. I personally love to climb out of the saddle.

[@stuartdryer1352]

Free coaching on climbing from Emma Pooley? I actually cut short a business phone call so I could watch it.

[@gcn]

Cheers Stuart!

[@oxbert123]

I like how "to climb out of the saddle" can mean two things; the motion of going into a standing position on the bike, or riding uphill while out of he saddle.

[@simong5964]

Is this what we used to call honking...? You make it look soooo much easier than us mere mortals. Has the sound man got a new mic or does Emma's drivetrain sound like it needs lubing?

[@Keyboardbeatz]

for short sharp hills i like to stand up. long shallow hills you mayaswel try and be aero...

[@scottishjohn]

Loving Emma's videos and also very helpful. It is good to have a really good climber giving tips on what to do and not. It's funny but I guess that over time you just get used to standing when the gradient is steep. Definitely helpful to be out of the saddle when your trying to climb in a higher gear. Thanks Prof Emma... Ah had to get Fleche Wallone in there!! 😜

[@trevejenkyn9888]

A great video, well done this is quality

[@gcn]

Thanks Treve

[@gimiesome]

Thanks Emma.

[@bigmikeho]

You guys are so helpful

[@EvilBambo0]

Perhaps in the next video you can discuss whether pulling back foot up is a good idea or not. I think it drains more energy but i do get a slightly higher cadence doing so

[@jayshockey5461]

Another GREAT vid Emma! Keep them coming! Yer AWESOME!👊🏻👍🏻💪🏻

[@gcn]

Thanks Jay! Let us know if you have anything else you would like to see on the channel

[@D_in_DC]

Awesome video Emma!

[@gcn]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it

[@ganvitu]

Muchas gracias, excelente lección!

[@laurelrunlaurelrun]

got passed by a gazelle on my local climb today. looked effortless and he was f'n smashing it. a gazelle!

[@EasternCompetition]

Wait, what? 90% Technic, 50% effort... you are definitely and over achiever! #badass Emma

[@daisy180709]

Contador had a crazy rhythm out the saddle , which basically went against all the rules , but still managed it for 20 mins at a time.

[@cyclingrabbit10]

Love this, you should do more on this content 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻👌👌👌

[@gcn]

Thanks, let us know if you have any suggestions!

[@Sanchobananas]

i ride a 42/25 as my smalles in ecuador,at 2500m i got to the point where i do 100k rides with most of it being 5-12% uphills. the thing is im just too broke to buy a new chainring. i use a steel frame bike with its original chainring.

[@gcn]

Good work! That's some pretty heavy gearing for climbing there, but if it works for you then why not!

[@vernonttan]

Ive been riding a mtb for many years and have no problem at all riding out of the saddle on it. But today when i tried my friends road bike i could pedal out of the saddle with my hands on the hood but impossible for me do it on the drops. Is this all solved from practise or is it just not possible to all out sprint on drops like you can on a mtb bar

[@rzftt4]

Alberto Contador would famously spend a huge amount of time pedaling out of the saddle on climbs. I read somewhere that he would specifically train to enhance this skill.

[@rinhu8864]

GCN we need an ask Emma anything about climbing video

[@flix3488]

"it´s been said before. but i´ll say it again..." hearing that, i remembered my bike needed a good cleaning

[@martinromeo1006]

Hi 👋 thank you, is good video well done 👏

[@cyrillerabiller2030]

En danseuse 💃 Nice vidéo. I try to train to ride en danseuse but it's not really natural for me.

[@sds1605]

Great Video. One Question: Why do you need to sway the bike? What is the benefit of this? I find that when I am out of the saddle that my body stays relatively still. Cheers, keep up the good work!!

[@gcn]

Hey Steve, you want to sway the bike as opposed to your body as it's more efficient to move the bike than your body weight 👍

[@fargin2778]

Emma rides the best looking bikes, that gradient blue is pure candy.

[@gcn]

It's pretty stunning!

[@theylivewesee1674]

I've seen people riding out of the saddle by moving their body up and down while their bike remains still LOL

[@angularsquare8757]

Interesting. I tend to use it to get back up to speed after a junction. Also to get some blood back into the bum. Not really on hills as it's too energy expensive for me.

[@thomasfero8612]

Which is the right position of the center of the body during pedal out of the saddle? Near the saddle, in the middle or in the front near the bar?

[@bobwestcott1856]

Is it my imagination or as Emma become the best presenter on GCN for technical riding...and by quite a wide margin?

[@anubissurge113]

Thank You ! Emma !

[@gcn]

You're welcome

[@Woodpecker3DStudio]

I got my bike 20 days ago and I am slowly learning this but I found it really hard to actually stand up from saddle and start spining pedals even on flat road :( hope I am gonna master it soon so I can climb faster

[@Ralph681]

Phone Industry Dont forget to shift in a harder gear. In the Flat maybe 2-3 gears

[@ProEFESDEZ]

No worries u are going to get it

[@stuartdryer1352]

Always like that at the start. Soon you will get it. Just persist.

[@rinhu8864]

Clipless pedals may make it easier for you out of the saddle

[@Woodpecker3DStudio]

Rampas Inhumanas well my bike is pretty basic so no clippers on pedals, also to be fair I haven't practiced it a lot Thanks for support and advice guys 😄

[@cliffvoller5487]

Whatcha out you old duffers that Emma is developing a rather good presentation technique

[@zzhughesd]

Which Emonda is this, model year, size? I ride a SLR summer and an SL Emonda as a winter hack. Rather like these Treks. Thanks ( ByTheWay I keep thinking this is a Focus bike in this blue !!! ) Not an Emonda!!!

[@a_mazing_af]

Hi I got into road cycling just early this year (2018) and I must say I love climbing and this includes the suffering but since then I always have a hard time climbing out of the saddle, it feels very unnatural to me and is like I'm just wasting juice for nothing. Whenever I'm pedaling out of the saddle, it feels like the crank arm is short especially when I reach the 6 o'clock position (I'm using 170s crank arm length). I am 167cm or 5'6"; any chance that I should have been using a longer crank?

[@markbooth6745]

Good video Emma.👍 gcn.👍

[@gcn]

Thanks Mark

[@crisjim3789]

I really like it !! thank you for the tips :D

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@martywild8200]

I've never understood the 'rock the bike' when out of the saddle. What does it actually afford you? Ever since being a kid, I pulled on the opposite side of the bars when a foot went down if I was standing. So if I am doing a right foot downwards stroke, I pull up on my left hand. Me and the bike all staying level and feeling to me like I was extracting the most power possible. I have been trying to practice rocking the bike, but of course it just feels so unnatural. I am happy to listen to the Pros, would just like to understand the science behind it. Just searched up some track cyclists starting off from the blocks as it were, not seeing much rocking of the bike. Figured they would being great examples of out of the saddle efforts. Is there a difference between being on the flat and on a climb?

[@knizama3534]

What kind of brand and model of your saddle?its look comfort and work for me..