Eddiej Posted October 24, 2016 Report Share Posted October 24, 2016 Hi, this a slightly different question from the norm. I suffer from a muscle imbalance which badly affects my kness, and to ease things I require a daily exercise routine that aims to strengthen my quads, glutes and hamstrings. I already ride both an mtb and eMTB all year round, three to four times a week, but struggle when having to climb when standing on the pegs. I really hate my daily home exercise routine, but I am getting very drawn towards a trials bike, which besides aiding my regular mtb riidng use, might also aid or hopefully replace my exercise programme. So my question is. What muscle groups are used when trials riding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ogre Posted October 25, 2016 Report Share Posted October 25, 2016 it's pretty much full body once you've learnt a full range of moves, puts alot of strain on your calves and forearms. i remember talking to a guy who ended up with a spinal issue from trials because it isn't a balanced exercise; one leg will always remain forward and this may affect your muscular imbalance. the other issue is the time it takes to learn trials; you should want to ride trials for the sake of trials, more than for the sake of fitness, the learning curve is pretty steep compared to the rewards. (in my experience) it's taken me a few years to be at a point where i can go out and ride for a solid stint of time knacker myself and feel worked out. i've found rowing is a better tool for a balanced full body workout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevind Posted October 26, 2016 Report Share Posted October 26, 2016 (edited) Oops my mum says I cant help people anymore. Edited October 28, 2016 by kevind people with nothing better in life, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niconj Posted October 26, 2016 Report Share Posted October 26, 2016 7 hours ago, kevind said: Trials is maybe not for you, as Ogre said, Trials is all about imbalance especially in the knee area and back as my lad has had several visits to FASIC (university sports injury unit which specialise in sorting out all kinds of athletes very well) He has had shortened hamstrings in his lead leg which manifested its self as a very painful knee. (common cycling injury we were told but usually in both knees, but trials is all about one knee) imbalanced pelvis and spine causing a lot of pain and tight movement. Recently had a partial knee dislocation, but they found that again he had restricted movement in his heel tendons, which again was limiting his leg bend and giving him knee problems. It is worth finding out if there is a proper sports injury clinic near you as you can see, getting proper diagnosis is the main issue and then being given the correct manipulation and exercise to correct any issues. I owe a big debt of gratitude to FASIC for both my boys over the years, as some "physios" and NHS are either useless or don't understand the relevant sport enough to give correct diagnosis. Last time we were there, the girl before his second visit had spent time looking at the range of movement for bike trials (as it is such a unique sport )so she could better understand what his body did and therefore could set up his recovery program all very scientifically done. Good luck with your recovery. I have a body imbalance as well but I just need to cut out beer and curries! Nobody's gonna read a text like this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddiej Posted October 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2016 (edited) My thanks for both the replies and kind words, both are appreciated. Sadly it does sound as though trials is not a good solution for me. Shame though, as the idea was really starting to grow on me. Thanks again. Edited October 26, 2016 by Eddiej Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevind Posted October 27, 2016 Report Share Posted October 27, 2016 19 hours ago, niconj said: Nobody's gonna read a text like this... Why? I thought it was perhaps helpful info to him about his knee and the experiences we have had, but I have been wrong in the past. and also I really don't care about negatives on this forum anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali C Posted October 27, 2016 Report Share Posted October 27, 2016 I think they type of bike has a lot to do with these kinds of imbalances/injuries. He rides quite an extreme bike (it sure felt it when I rode it) with a very high bb and very low bars (tilted forwards). That bike puts you in a very compromised position for your back and as a result, legs and even arms and shoulders. My opinion is that if you did want to try trials (which I do recommend) then perhaps a more relaxed/less extreme bike would be best, something more bmx or mountain bike style would see your body in a more upright neutral position and take a lot of stress off the back and knees. I'm probably gonna regret saying this but I've never had any issues with my knees or back but I have always ridden bikes with fairly tame geometry (I hate the feel of modern comp bikes and I'm sure my body would suffer if I rode them for long). Get yourself a streety style trials bike or even a modified small mtb frame and give trials a go, it IS hard but it IS rewarding and excellent for building muscle in the upper back and arms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevind Posted October 27, 2016 Report Share Posted October 27, 2016 See I was wrong. I didn't mean to put him off and maybe the more relaxed street bike might help, just passing on our experiences as he also has knee problems. Hope you typed that up touching wood. (that one is just for Ross) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niconj Posted October 27, 2016 Report Share Posted October 27, 2016 8 hours ago, kevind said: Why? Punctuation, paragraphs... and so on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddiej Posted October 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 (edited) Don't worry, no one has put me off. It is all very interesting reading. I was actually eyeing up an mtb that has been sitting in the back of the shed un used for a couple of years, due to the frame size being too small for regular use. Clearly it won't stand the strain expected of a trials dedicated bike, but I'm the wrong side of 50 and when I actually sat and thought about what I want from a bike, rather than dreaming of the daft and impossible, I should just concentrate on balance skills and small scale stuff which I can put into good practice when out in the Alps riding on terrain such as this again. Thinking about it sensibly, all of what I want to learn can be done on a regular mtb, after all that is what I want the skills for. The appeal of learning on a trials bike, was being able to get off easily when things go wrong, especially in respect of hitting the crown jewels on a cross bar. Something that like countless others, I have done all too often! I guess that a dedeicated bike, would somehow give confidence, but maybe I am over thinking that one. If learning trials skills could have enhanced my exercise routine in respect of the muscle wastage, it would have been a massive bonus, especially if it could have done away with the indoor exercise routine. I'd happily spend whatever time required daily practicing on a bike, if it helped to do away with the indoor work. I guess that the best way of finding out what will work or won't work, is to try it. If think do work out positively, I very much suspect that I will still end up buying a trials bike though, simply because I love the clean flowing simplistic look of them, it would take up no room to take to work with me for lunch time play, and even in my own neighbourhood, I could spend an afternoon playing around on tarmac conditions in very little space, when things are just too muddy and horrid to be out on the other bikes. Amazing what you can talk your self into! Thanks again. Edited October 28, 2016 by Eddiej Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitafox Posted October 28, 2016 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 Eddie, most of the old school started out and did pretty well on 13" mountain bikes with the seats slammed. Get something built up and get riding! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DK. Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 Lats, Forearms, quads, glutes, hamstrings calfs. Train all these things and you'll find life easy in trials Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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