Triathletes often talk about power (Power = Work/Time), and how they are using power meters to get more power out of each pedal stroke.
The problem with this is that you can watch the numbers on the power meter all day long, but if you don’t have the strength in your legs to hold the specified or goal wattage, then you will not be able to sustain this wattage for any length of time.
In order to gain the increase in power, you must lift weights to increase you maximal strength. Maximal strength is the highest level of force an athlete can possibly generate. This will significantly increase your overall power output, running economy and efficiency.
One of the biggest myth’s in endurance sports is “If I lift weights, I’ll get big.” The truth is, if you are lifting the wrong way (hypertrophy training) then yes, you will gain size which for the endurance athlete is not a good thing. Because, the more muscle you have on your frame the harder the heart must work in order to get oxygenated blood to those working muscles.
Therefore, it is important for the endurance athlete to only carry the needed amount of muscle on their frame. For example, if a cyclist has a muscular upper body as well as legs, then they will not only have to carry the extra weight over the hills, but their heart will have to work twice as hard as the cyclist that only has powerful leg muscles and a small upper body in order to get enough oxygenated blood to those working muscles.
So, if you want to become a better, more efficient and powerful endurance athlete, you may want to start implementing maximal strength work into your workouts as soon as possible.
Train Smart~
TB
