Strength Training for Cycling Performance: The Vortex Method’s Ultimate Training Program

I have been searching for a well written, user friendly, scholarly and complete guide on strength training for cycling. Menachem has created just that with this book. He has provided the background, the why, the how too, a complete training plan, education on how to create your own plan and many bonus extras with this book. He has also included information for women from world famous female cyclist, author Selene Yeager which is most important to me as a female athlete. This is a book every cyclist should buy, read and embrace.

It's the "only" book you need for Cycling Specific Strength Training, let alone for just pure strength training period. I have all the cycling training books (ok not all, just 4 of the 5 editions of the Training Bible).The important part is it prioritizes evolving your musculature throughout the year. Important reminder for me going on 60yrs young or to anyone for that matter, but especially to new lifters (think trying to avoid DOMs and being able to ride your bike the next day, let alone walk up a set of stairs).

Well written and informative book on how to use strength training for performance improvement in cycling. Mr Brodie does an excellent job of explaining what to do but how and why it will lead to improvement, comfort and efficiency on the bike. This is applicable to not only racing cyclist not to anyone who rides.

It give you a good jumping off place to start weight training. It is a little pushy about the vortex method. I think if you just do any weights your better off

Menachem provides usable advice based on exercise science and a thorough understanding of the needs of serious cyclists.

There are so many myths and differing opinions on what endurance athletes should and shouldn’t do that it’s overwhelming to sort out what any individual should try.Menachem has created a smart, easy to follow system for strengthening, all around body conditioning and making sure agonist / antagonist muscle groups are both addressed.I especially like his warmup and dynamic exercise organization preceding the strength training.I like it so much it’s become my morning routine …since I started it, my shoulder pain is gone and my posture is much better with all the benefits that go along with good posture.I have less neck and back pain in addition to my shoulder being more functional.My first swim in 13 months (due to COVId) almost felt like I hadn’t missed any water time at all aside from a little aerobic deconditioning

There are many resources that emphasize the importance of strength training for cyclists and I've looked at several. Menachem Brodie's Strength Training for Cycling Performance is the most detailed and comprehensive program I've found and it seems to make sense with emphasis on the order of workouts, technique and progression throughout the year. For cyclists who think strength training means bulking up and adding weight, this program will put your fears to rest while providing arguments that seem well-founded for the value of year-round strength training. I say "seem" well-founded because I've just started the program and hope to be able to report back next fall that the program really works!

I've been training with a cycling team for 16 weeks that had a strength program supported by the author of the book. While the theory sounds convincing, following the program I lost the body and core strength I had before and finally got injured. I've not been injured for many years following "standard" strength training. This method is very unbalanced and while It does not give you strength, at the same time leads to muscle disbalances. On top of that, during this period, my progress in cycling was considerably lower compared to other periods when I followed "standard" training plans despite the top-notch cycling program and world-class coaches.

See review aboveNot recommended

I’ve been using this book for 2 - 3 years. I think it’s a really good method for developing your riding on road. Thoughtful and detailed, packed full of information on how to put a strength program together and train consistently. My back pain has reduced, my neck and shoulder endurance is now not a problem, I’m stronger in the bunch and moving better in real life.Thanks, highly recommend

j'ai toujours cru qu'associer musculation et cyclisme était indispensable pour ma pratique multidisciplinaire( route,vtt ,gravel) mais je ne savait pas comment organiser tout cela a l 'échelle de la semaine du cycle hivernal, de la preparation et de la saison.Dans son livre Menachem Brody aborde ces phases , et nous donne des solutions concretes pour associé les 2 pratiques tout au long de l'année.Merci à lui

I read Menachem’s book from cover to cover during a holiday away. I was determined to understand why I would want to do the exercises that promised to make me strong. I found the book full of research-based and practical information that whet my appetite to put it all into action. What I liked was that I could use Resources as stated in the book to get started but that with understanding I could formulate my own program. With 8 weeks to lead up for a MTB back-packing adventure over 500 miles on some pretty challenging terrain, I got stuck into the core programme and weight lifting. I felt strong and ready but I can tell you when challenged on the trail up some short, steep hills I was blown away with what was unleashed in my core. I had strength that I did not know I had until I really needed it! The new found core strength and upper body also had me handling rocky terrain with much more confidence and success versus getting off. What a difference a stiff core makes!! Thank you Menachem for this great resource.

I'll have to say that the information in this book is so applicable to a lot of cyclists. This is @350 pages of strength fitness methods, written by someone who has really taken the time to lay out real training for the average guy right up to the professional rider. The program is laid out from basics to advanced. In fact you needn't be a rider. The author also understands that not all of us want to go the gym. How many times have you heard the saying 'Build decent foundations'? I think anyone could build a decent level of strength just by working properly through the foundational excersises. Quality, not quantity. As a mature rider, I had some questions that I emailed the author. He came right back to me and spent over half an hour talking to me from the U.S. on zoom! Menachem, is a true professional, I don't know many authors that would take the time out to do that! I have a shelf full of training books, this one far outstrips the others. But for me, this book used in conjunction with 'Cycling past 50' by Joe Friel is a total winning system.