So exactly what muscles does cycling use?<\/p>\n
Well, it predominantly works your leg and core muscles, which inevitably become toned as you clock up the bike miles.<\/p>\n
Here, rehabilitation strength and conditioning coach Nick Beer goes into more detail\u2026<\/p>\n
What muscles does cycling work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n ![\"Muscle]( "\\"The")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> The graphic shows the location of the muscles of the human body (Credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nGlutes<\/strong><\/h3>\nMost active at the top of the pedal stroke just as you\u2019re about to push down. They also provide hip stability and prevent us moving around in the saddle.<\/p>\n
- Why is glute strength important?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Quads<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe quadriceps<\/a><\/strong> function at their optimum on the down phase of the pedal stroke. Especially the VMO (vastus medialis oblique), which helps to push the big gear.<\/p>\nHamstrings<\/strong> \u2013 The hamstrings<\/a><\/strong> flex the knee and pull the pedal upwards. They can easily become underactive due to their over dominant partner, the quads.<\/p>\nCalves<\/strong><\/h3>\nHelp stabilise the pedal stoke.<\/p>\n
- Calf muscle tear: What it is and how to treat it<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Core muscles<\/strong><\/h3>\nThese allow the lower limb to provide stability and power when we cycle. A strong core not only develops functional abs, but can help us become a more efficient cyclist.<\/p>\n
Your core muscles are in the belly and the mid and lower back (torso), and include transversus abdominis, obliques, rectus abdominis, erector spinae, longissimus thoracis, latissimus dorsi, and trapezius.<\/p>\n
Also remember that a strong upper body is just as important as it allows us to hold a better aerodynamic position.<\/p>\n
The harmonious link between the lower and upper body enables us to apply greater consistent power, which leads to a faster and more competent cyclist.<\/p>\n
Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n- What muscles do you use in front crawl?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- What muscles do you use when running?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- What muscles do you use in triathlon?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul> <\/body><\/html>\n
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nick Beer explains the different muscles cycling uses and tones <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":24631,"template":"","categories":[1,23],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"2"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling.jpg",2336,1713,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-300x220.jpg",300,220,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-768x563.jpg",768,563,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-1024x751.jpg",800,587,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-1536x1126.jpg",1536,1126,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-2048x1502.jpg",2048,1502,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Nick Beer explains the different muscles cycling uses and tones","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/24630"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24631"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"Muscle](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2019\/05\/muscle-map-of-the-human-body-1576fa0.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C459\" "\\"The")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Glutes<\/strong><\/h3>\nMost active at the top of the pedal stroke just as you\u2019re about to push down. They also provide hip stability and prevent us moving around in the saddle.<\/p>\n
- Why is glute strength important?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Quads<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe quadriceps<\/a><\/strong> function at their optimum on the down phase of the pedal stroke. Especially the VMO (vastus medialis oblique), which helps to push the big gear.<\/p>\nHamstrings<\/strong> \u2013 The hamstrings<\/a><\/strong> flex the knee and pull the pedal upwards. They can easily become underactive due to their over dominant partner, the quads.<\/p>\nCalves<\/strong><\/h3>\nHelp stabilise the pedal stoke.<\/p>\n
- Calf muscle tear: What it is and how to treat it<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Core muscles<\/strong><\/h3>\nThese allow the lower limb to provide stability and power when we cycle. A strong core not only develops functional abs, but can help us become a more efficient cyclist.<\/p>\n
Your core muscles are in the belly and the mid and lower back (torso), and include transversus abdominis, obliques, rectus abdominis, erector spinae, longissimus thoracis, latissimus dorsi, and trapezius.<\/p>\n
Also remember that a strong upper body is just as important as it allows us to hold a better aerodynamic position.<\/p>\n
The harmonious link between the lower and upper body enables us to apply greater consistent power, which leads to a faster and more competent cyclist.<\/p>\n
Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n- What muscles do you use in front crawl?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- What muscles do you use when running?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- What muscles do you use in triathlon?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul> <\/body><\/html>\n
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nick Beer explains the different muscles cycling uses and tones <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":24631,"template":"","categories":[1,23],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"2"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling.jpg",2336,1713,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-300x220.jpg",300,220,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-768x563.jpg",768,563,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-1024x751.jpg",800,587,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-1536x1126.jpg",1536,1126,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-2048x1502.jpg",2048,1502,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Nick Beer explains the different muscles cycling uses and tones","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/24630"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24631"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Quads<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe quadriceps<\/a><\/strong> function at their optimum on the down phase of the pedal stroke. Especially the VMO (vastus medialis oblique), which helps to push the big gear.<\/p>\nHamstrings<\/strong> \u2013 The hamstrings<\/a><\/strong> flex the knee and pull the pedal upwards. They can easily become underactive due to their over dominant partner, the quads.<\/p>\nCalves<\/strong><\/h3>\nHelp stabilise the pedal stoke.<\/p>\n
- Calf muscle tear: What it is and how to treat it<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Core muscles<\/strong><\/h3>\nThese allow the lower limb to provide stability and power when we cycle. A strong core not only develops functional abs, but can help us become a more efficient cyclist.<\/p>\n
Your core muscles are in the belly and the mid and lower back (torso), and include transversus abdominis, obliques, rectus abdominis, erector spinae, longissimus thoracis, latissimus dorsi, and trapezius.<\/p>\n
Also remember that a strong upper body is just as important as it allows us to hold a better aerodynamic position.<\/p>\n
The harmonious link between the lower and upper body enables us to apply greater consistent power, which leads to a faster and more competent cyclist.<\/p>\n
Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n- What muscles do you use in front crawl?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- What muscles do you use when running?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- What muscles do you use in triathlon?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul> <\/body><\/html>\n
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nick Beer explains the different muscles cycling uses and tones <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":24631,"template":"","categories":[1,23],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"2"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling.jpg",2336,1713,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-300x220.jpg",300,220,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-768x563.jpg",768,563,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-1024x751.jpg",800,587,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-1536x1126.jpg",1536,1126,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-2048x1502.jpg",2048,1502,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Nick Beer explains the different muscles cycling uses and tones","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/24630"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24631"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Hamstrings<\/strong> \u2013 The hamstrings<\/a><\/strong> flex the knee and pull the pedal upwards. They can easily become underactive due to their over dominant partner, the quads.<\/p>\n Help stabilise the pedal stoke.<\/p>\n These allow the lower limb to provide stability and power when we cycle. A strong core not only develops functional abs, but can help us become a more efficient cyclist.<\/p>\n Your core muscles are in the belly and the mid and lower back (torso), and include transversus abdominis, obliques, rectus abdominis, erector spinae, longissimus thoracis, latissimus dorsi, and trapezius.<\/p>\n Also remember that a strong upper body is just as important as it allows us to hold a better aerodynamic position.<\/p>\n The harmonious link between the lower and upper body enables us to apply greater consistent power, which leads to a faster and more competent cyclist.<\/p>\n Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n Nick Beer explains the different muscles cycling uses and tones <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":24631,"template":"","categories":[1,23],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"2"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling.jpg",2336,1713,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-300x220.jpg",300,220,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-768x563.jpg",768,563,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-1024x751.jpg",800,587,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-1536x1126.jpg",1536,1126,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/08\/what-muscles-do-you-use-and-tone-when-cycling-2048x1502.jpg",2048,1502,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Nick Beer explains the different muscles cycling uses and tones","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/24630"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24631"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Calves<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Core muscles<\/strong><\/h3>\n
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"