8 Bodyweight Exercises Every Cyclist Should Do

Written by
Erik Taylor
For some cyclists, cross-training can get monotonous but bodyweight exercises offer you a chance to change things up—no waiting in line at the dumbbell rack, it’s cost effective and you can perform them literally anywhere. Bodyweight exercises challenge you to work your entire body—perfect for cyclists trying get in peak performance shape.

You can approach these workouts in a variety of ways. You can do a singular exercise, you can superset two exercises back-to-back without taking a break or you can do a circuit of exercises for time or reps.

Two workouts a week is all you need to make some real gains and you can knock out a great workout in fewer than 30 minutes. Don’t forget to adjust your rest, reps and sets to push your body to adapt to change and get stronger.

Need some more guidance? The ACTIVEx App can help.
Birddogs
1 of 17
Get down on all fours, keep your head and neck in a neutral position.
Find:
Your Next Ride
Birddogs con't
1 of 17
Simultaneously extend your right arm forward and your left leg backwards. Pause for a second and return to the starting position and switch sides.
Find:
Your Next Ride
Squats
1 of 17
Everyone should be doing his or her squats. Place your feet about shoulder-width apart and bring your arms up out in front of you.
Find:
Your Next Ride
Squats con't
1 of 17
Keep your knees over your feet as you descend and make sure your hip crease goes below your knees.
Find:
Your Next Ride
Push-Ups
1 of 17
Probably the most popular of all body weight exercises. Get into a push-up position while keeping your head in a neutral position.
Find:
Your Next Ride
Push-Ups con't
1 of 17
Keep your elbows close to your body as you descend towards the floor, bring your chest to the floor and return to the starting position. Alternate version: If you are not strong enough to perform a regular push-up, no problem! Do them with your knees on the floor.
Find:
Your Next Ride
Double Leg Lifts
1 of 17
Time to crush those lower abs! Lay flat on your back with your hands under your hips.
Find:
Your Next Ride
Double Leg Lifts con't
1 of 17
While keeping your back flat on the floor, raise your legs together until your legs are perpendicular to your torso, pause and return to the starting position.
Find:
Your Next Ride
Thread the Needle Plank
1 of 17
Get into a side plank position. Reach up towards the sky with your left arm, and then bring your left arm down.
Find:
Your Next Ride
Thread the Needle Plank con't
1 of 17
Reach your left arm under your body in between your right forearm and right foot. Return to the starting position and repeat.
Find:
Your Next Ride
Side Lunge
1 of 17
Time to go a different direction. Start in the standing position.
Find:
Your Next Ride
Side Lunge con't
1 of 17
Now lunge out to your right side, plant your foot and bend your right knee. Return to the starting position and finish all reps on your right side before you move to your left.
Find:
Your Next Ride
Sit-Ups
1 of 17
Lay on the floor with your knees bent and place your hands behind your head.
Find:
Your Next Ride
Sit-Ups con't
1 of 17
Now sit up, keep your feet on the ground. There is no hurry with this exercise; if you do not feel comfortable doing it try doing a plank instead.
Find:
Your Next Ride
Chin-Ups
1 of 17
Grab a hold of your chin-up bar with your palms facing you.
Find:
Your Next Ride
Chin-Ups con't
1 of 17
Pull yourself up so your chin clears the bar, slowly return to the starting position and repeat.

Alternate version: If you are not strong enough to perform a chin-up, inverted rows are a great alternative.
Find:
Your Next Ride
1 of 17
Find:
Your Next Ride