Our top-5 core exercises for cyclists.
With the above tips in mind, here are 5 exercises suitable to any cyclist. Ideally, you should do all the exercises for 40 seconds. If that is not possible, start with 20 seconds and slowly build up to 40 seconds. If it is too easy for you, do the exercises for a maximum of 60 seconds. Between the exercises you keep 5 seconds rest. A yoga mat is nice but not really necessary, a carpet works fine as well.
- The superman plank.
Put both your hands and knees on the floor, then simultaneously extend your left arm and right leg and hold this position with slight movements for 40 seconds. Then it’s the turn of the right arm and left leg.
- The bicycle crunch
It sounds more complicated than it is and there are countless versions, but while cycling in the air you raise your upper body about 10 centimeters off the ground. In doing so, you can try to use your hands under your head to touch your knee with your elbows, but this is not a must. As long as you start to feel the abdominal muscles you’re OK. This also trains your hips through the cycling movement.
- The side plank
Lie on one elbow and hold your body in the air like a plank. The oblique abdominal muscles in particular will get a good workout. You can make this exercise extra heavy by moving your upper leg 10 to 20 centimeters up and down, or by dipping the hips to the floor.
- The bridge with leg raises
Lie on your back, then lift your buttocks off the ground and bring your knees to a 90-degree angle. Tighten the buttocks and abdomen so that your knees, hips, and shoulders are in a straight line. Then alternate extending the left and right leg all the way out.
- Knee-to-elbow plank
Bring yourself in the plank position but with arms extended and hands on the floor. Keep the rest of the body stretched. Then alternately move the left knee to the right elbow and vice versa.
If this routine is still too difficult, make the duration of the exercises a little shorter. If you notice that you need more rest between the exercises, then also shorten the duration of the exercises, so that the total set does not take too long. Finally, do not forget to breathe. This may sound obvious but sometimes it is forgotten in the heat of the moment.