[pct-l] Leg Exercises, etc.

[Stephen]

When Bicycle racing at a high level training for leg strength, ie: weights 
and gym work were done in the off season as this hampered performance 
noticeably.  However, as far as cross training, I will add this, riding made 
me incredibly strong out on the trails with good all day endurance when I 
first started packing a lot.  The hiking did not however help the riding 
when I would get home to sea level, which I thought it would only being away 
for a couple weeks, so I started taking my bike and riding some really neat 
counrty like Lassen and the road in and out of Cedar Grove at Kings.  I am 
currently starting to ride again as a means to cross training and building 
leg strentgh back, butthe bike strenth isnot like weights and works towards 
both strentgh and endurance. If any is interested on how I approach leg 
training on my bikes over the years I can elaborate.  Just making the pedals 
go round isn't exactly what I mean.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jonathan Blees" <Jblees at energy.state.ca.us>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>; <bazleyr at yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 11:36 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Leg Exercises, etc.


>>>>
> On Wed, 4 Feb 2009 10:12:48 +0000 (GMT) Richard Bazley wrote:
> <snip>
> My trainer told me that too many leg exercises is not good for hiking and 
> running <snip>.  However, was I was training for the AT in 2004, I'm sure 
> I was also doing leg extensions and leg curls in addition to the press. ? 
> Was I flirting with disaster?? Or was my trainer wrong and these types of 
> exercises are fine as pre-hike conditionoing.
>
> Regards
>
> St Rick
> **********
>
> Wildheart replies:
>
> Dear St Rick,
>
> I'm a not-in-great-shape, not-a-health-professional, 58-year-old section 
> hiker with bad knees (I've had a miniscectomy on each one).  I find leg 
> curls and leg extensions to be crucial for knee comfort as well as for 
> all-around fitness.  Note, however, that I have read and heard from many 
> sources that leg extensions should be done only halfway down (i.e., extend 
> your leg all the way, but lower it only halfway), and my experience 
> suggests that this is good advice (at least for me).  I have also read and 
> heard that leg presses are bad for folks with bad knees, and they hurt 
> when I do them, so I don't do them.  Caveat:  as always, YMMV.
>
> As for the lactic acid building up, I have no idea.
>
> Most important:  have a great hike!
> <<<
>
>
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