Often there are people who think that the greater the complexity of an exercise, the greater the benefits it will bring us.
I am sorry to tell you that it is a wrong thought, exercises as “simple” as squats can bring you many benefits in various sports disciplines.
The squat is a very popular exercise in the strength trainingboth with and without external load.
It may seem like a simple exercise, but it requires proper technique in its execution, so it is very important to keep the following points in mind:
Likewise, it is an exercise with many benefits, among which we highlight:
In the case of cyclists, the greater the power applied to the pedal (which we can measure with the help of a potentiometer), the greater the distance you will travel with each pedal stroke.
There is no other way to increase power than with strength work.
The squat can be a good option since the main muscles involved in this exercise (gluteus maximus, quadriceps, hamstrings mainly) have a main function in pedaling as we see in the following image.
As you can imagine, they are not only beneficial for cycling, but other sports such as running and trail also require strong and resistant lower body muscles, and we can achieve this with squats.
Here are several examples of progressive squats in terms of their degree of difficulty and strength and technique requirements so that you can adapt them to your level while minimizing the risk of injury:
As you can see, you don't even need a specific material to start squatting.
So we hope that the simplicity and the amount of benefits that its realization supposes will encourage you to start strengthening your legs from today.