15 Minute Strength Sessions

On Strength days many of the sessions run 30+ minutes. Add in an activation yoga workout and trainer session running 30+ minutes (Cadence Builds/Holds/Single Leg Drills most notably) workout time creeps up to 2+ hours on a weekday. For time-crunched Sufferlandrians this is not do-able and part of the plan gets sacrificed to keep things to under an hour 15 minutes.

The ask:

Similar to the Yoga sessions, break down the strength workouts into 15 minute videos. So 15 minutes lower body, 15 minutes core, 15 minutes upper body, 15 minutes total body. This would allow also spreading out the strength training load (might need some science to support this) in addition to reducing Tuesday and Friday training time.

I like this idea!

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Agreed, a great idea. I hate strength training, with a passion. I find it so so very very dull. I get the importance, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. (It helps, or perhaps hinders, that I am naturally strong. It at least makes me think I can get away without it, even if I would stillbenefit)

On my recent plan I purposefully added in a strength plan, and had a genuine intention to follow through with it. I never even launched the first session. If it was easy to pull up a very simple 15 minuter I reckon I could convince myself to at least do something.

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+1

I’m for this. I don’t often have the extra time, and I really dislike strength training, but I will do it in small amounts because I know I needed it. I would much rather do 15 minutes 4 days per week than 30 minutes 2 days per week. It’s much more palatable for me in small doses.

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Great idea!

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Yeah, it is indeed a great idea.
I do also dislike strength sessions but see the benefit from them.
It would be nice to shorten them but to increase intensity, if necessary.

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I was due to move into Intermediate Strength 4-6 this week, but the time issue you mentioned plus the fact that I will be ramping up volume outside made me reconsider. As I really would like to maintain strength and focus on riding during the outdoor season, I am now pairing the activation yoga de jour with Intermediate Level 1 but doing both with a weighted vest and 3-5 lb dumbbells. This plus cadence spins, etc. keeps me at around 1:15ish time wise.

I realize this does not exactly solve the problem but offer it as an alternative in the meantime. I can promise you the added weight ensures that I do not feel shortchanged effort wise!

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Intermediate 4-6 seems too intense for in-season. I started Beginner 3-4 with the In-Season XC plan which also has Upper Body A on the build weeks.

If you have 15 minutes sessions, those of us who would do 30 minutes sessions twice a week could do 2 sessions back to back.

I try to do strength sessions when I do not have a cycling session that day.

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Hi @ErickT and company-I hear it and love it. Coming soon to a theater near you.

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Yay!

Full support!
Perhaps sessions that can be performed in different times, context and targeting weak areas…example…morning strength session, core strength session, before workout…

The strength workouts are for me only associated with the workplan, but it would be great to have it as part of my identify and year round activity… detach from the workplan but more as a habit.
Looking forward!

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I find kettlebell swings are great when you have very little time. 15 mins of basic swings/lifts can give you a great workout. Be good to see these used in the strength videos too.

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I’m down! Shorter and harder to fit the time crunch

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@Peteski Throw in some burpees and alternate with the swings and you can probably cut the workout to 10 min.:grin:

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I don’t want burpees.
I find I could theoretically do leg exercises to int level 6
but core to less, and arms only about level 1 or 2
So breaking down into smaller unit might hwlp

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I’m in agreement on burpees. No thanks!

I don’t have room in my pain cave for burpees. I also don’t really have room for yoga, either, but i manage, mostly. But, I usually only burpee after my beeree.

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Ok, I was going to avoid puns, but since you started.
No burpees for me because I do not want bird seed all over my pain cave.

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Yup - people love to hate them and I am definitely one of them. But for quick workouts they are hard to beat for all body and crank your cardio especially if you alternate with weights.

Ok so no takers for burpees but how about thrusters? Six minutes of those and you are done for the day!