Cyclists are the class of athletes that require to perform on the highest level. Becoming a cyclist is no joke because you are required to put in countless monotonous hours of practice and exercising to keep your game on the top level. Most professional cyclists undergo extensive training routines because their bodies are put through an excruciating physical activity. In order to remain prolific in their profession, professional cyclists' training routine is highly advanced and modified to meet their profession's physical needs.
Former UCI world tour professional cyclists Nicholas Clark professional career became a remarkable success primarily due to his prowess with bikes and his work ethic. Nicholas, as an athlete, spent hours and hours in training and practice to reach the competitive level. Now he has retired from the sport and we look back at the career of the former UCI professional. He is now a professional trainer and coach licensed by USAC and also holds a Training Peaks accreditation. Besides, Nicholas runs a business venture called ProBike FC, a brick and motor shop and online market place for top-notch cycling gear and products every amateur and professional could use.
If you wish to train like a professional, here are some of the things which you would need to do:
Keep your diet in check: Just because you are bound to burn calories at a rapid rate does not mean you have a golden ticket to dump all kinds of eating items in your stomach. Eating healthy and combining your diet with maximum protein would be key in this case. Cycling involves physical activity and you are pushing your muscles on the edge, so it is always a good idea to stay well fed and keep your nutritional intake on the move. Besides, protein, carbohydrates, and fluids would be an appropriate combination which should definitely be a part of your diet.
Do not neglect gym activity: Cycling has myriads of benefits but it certainly does not mean that you do not put in effort in the gym. Basically, cycling is a physically exhausting and strenuous activity and because your abdominal muscles come into play, you are required to train them. Building muscles and working on your stamina would set you apart from all the rest of players in competition as well because pushing yourself beyond the boundaries is a requisite nobody can back off from if they are aiming for success.
Post-ride massage: As much as it is important to train harder and exercise, relaxing your muscles and repairing damaged tissues is equally important. After a 2-hour sprint, you would require to give your body a break and let it recover on its own from the physical work. In addition, it is always recommended to get a post-ride massage, especially targeting the areas which are put to the most amount of work when you hit the track with your bike. This would be a key addition in your training regime and certainly a profound component to keep your performance high.
