Mountain bike fitness

[newyorkbreakfast]

I'm pretty fit - have been doing bootcamp for years and laterally Les Mills on Demand: Pump, Strength development and cardio. I work out 4-6 days a week.
However I don't do spinning or road cycling. I want to get into MTB more, so what sort of training (other than the biking itself which will be sporadic due to work and poor proximity to trails) would be good? Thanks

I don’t know what your current classes are but for MTB I used to do turbo training indoor sessions of suitable intervals and intensity and upper body strength in a gym. It’s probably about riding more though if you are pretty fit and gaining more bike handling skills and confidence.

I'm ex roadie turned summer MTB'er and winter cyclocross racer. I still ride on the road for fitness. I do a lot of specific work on the turbo. Zwift. Lots of MTB specific sessions there. But. Cycling and racing is my hobby. I'm constantly striving to be better.

For someone with your background. Just get out and ride! You'll build fitness. I found the main issue transitioning was my skills. Or lack of. Humongous engine, but couldn't ride the technical stuff. I would get smashed by women who didn't have half my fitness. Likewise on group rides 🤣🤣 I've done a couple of one to one coaching days at trail centres. The difference between now and when I first started is stark. Night and day. I can competently ride a red at most trail centres now. Before a blue would scare me! I'm super lucky as whilst I don't live near a trail centre, I have awesome riding on the doorstep. Great single track. Rocky technical climbs/ descents. Bombholes. Drop offs. Rollers. Berms. So I can go out and play. Even with my fitness. I find it quite physically exhausting in ways that I don't after a turbo or Road sesh. You are manoeuvring your bike over rocks. Your body takes a battering. It's incredible fun. I absolutely love it. You're just totally caught in the moment, picking your lines. It's so satisfying to feel at one with your bike. It's utterly exhilarating to nail a real technical section that has previously evaded you.

Upper body and core work could be helpful? Again I just find my upper body strength builds from riding.

Unless you come from a background of MTB or similar. I'd really recommend booking some coaching to nail the basics. You'll progress much quicker. There are various womens only MTB groups - look up sisters of shred and Cotic women of steel. Trail centres are ace too. Go on the forestry commission website.

Thank you both very much. @Morningstar you should write for a biking magazine. You make it sound super exciting!
I'm going to book in for coaching. I've broken several bones in the past so am a bit nervous.... but we have to take risks and live life to the full! It was very motivating to hear about your confidence growing to allow you to progress from blue to red trails.
Thanks again

I think the difference between road cycling and mtb is the cadence. With mtb you need to have some power in your legs to ride up over rocks and roots.

Upper body and core strength helps too as bring up out of your seat for extended periods of time means you feel it more in your core and arms

I too find mtb therapeutic. I get the same feeling that those who go in to cold water get… without having to go in to cold water 🤣🤣

Hacking to focus and breath and be in the moment. You can’t think about anything else. It just takes you away from everything else going on in your mind. Unlike road cycling, which I found really stressful as I never switched off from thinking about other stuff ( and fear of being hit by a car!)

Agreed with just get out and ride, but you'd benefit from an mtb skills day/course.

Thank you. I've booked a mtb coaching session. No time like the present.... I agree it's very mindful and road cycling in UK cities is abysmal between the stress of car doors opening, cars shaving too close, stoppy starty traffic. There's no pleasure in it. It's great in the NL though.