Strength Training for Motocross Athletes!
Unleashing the Power: The Importance of Strength Training for Motocross Athletes
Motocross is both a physically and mentally challenging sport that demands a high level of skill and physical prowess.
While mastering bike skills and developing racing strategies are vital, many riders overlook the significance of strength training in enhancing their performance on the track.
In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of incorporating strength training in conjunction to bike training from amateur, pro to elite motocross athletes.
Enhancing Bike Control with Strength Training
Motocross requires riders to navigate through many unpredictable obstacles. From Braking and acceleration bumps, knuckles in up-ramps, ruts, sandy whoops or constantly changing track conditions.
Anything can change from lap to lap, moto to moto. The body is required to adjust and move with the bike through all of this.
Having a robust foundation of strength developed helps athletes maintain better body awareness, bike control and allows riders to react swiftly, maintain balance and control body posture and technique in high-pressure situations when the bike reacts to the track under you.
Next time your bike steps out, you have a moment or near miss, think “could have this been a result of my body not having the strong foundation to absorb and react to the bike”?
Increasing Stamina and Endurance to Last Longer
Motocross is the most physically demanding sport in the world. Moto’s lasting anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.
Strength training not only builds absolute strength & power but also improves muscular and cardiovascular endurance.
Following a consistent strength and conditioning training program specifically targeted towards improving efficiency in movement will help athletes to sustain their energy levels for longer periods during races.
It also has significant effect on technique and skill execution on the bike. Being stronger allows you to hold the required technique for longer whether it be standing, driving out of a corner with the bike rather than against it, or getting out of the seat quicker to avoid the bumps and shock unloading.
Strength allows you to position your body optimally time and time again to work with the bike, rather than get tired and start working against it,
Injury Prevention starts with a strong foundation!
Motocross is an inherently risky sport, and riders often face the possibility of injuries due to high-speed crashes and off’s!
But also many avoidable injuries, like knee injuries such as ACLs from getting lazy through a corner and dabbing your foot, can be reduced with being strong enough to hold that leg up every single corner.
Strength training plays a pivotal role in injury prevention by strengthening the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, making them more resilient to be able to withstand the forces experienced when on or when you come off the bike.
By targeting specific muscle groups and incorporating exercises that improve sport specific movements, athletes can reinforce their bodies against the stress, strains, forces and impacts commonly experienced on the track.
Did you know, a result of strength training is increased bone density? Kind of important to reduce the risk of fracture and time off the bike!
Enhancing Power and Acceleration to Perform Better!
Motocross races often require rapid acceleration and quick bursts of power to overtake opponents and manoeuvre the bike around the track.
Strength training help athletes develop greater power and ability to quickly generate force. Not only that, it allows our body to more efficiently absorb forces so we do not tire as quickly resulting in technique break down.
Periodised strength training can significantly enhance the ability to launch the bike off jumps, land and absorb, and power through corners.
Improving Reaction Time.
Strength training not only has the above physical benefits but also contribute to increase reaction time. The quicker you can produce force, the quicker the body can react to what happens underneath it.
If the bike kicks or steps out, the speed at which everything switches on, activates and stiffens to control your body position on the bike, the quicker it is under control and back on the throttle driving forward. This cuts lap times and allows you to go faster and faster.
The ability to make quick decisions on the track is crucial in motocross, split-second decisions and reactions allow us to stay focused amidst the chaos can be the difference between victory and defeat.
While motocross may appear to be a predominantly skill-based sport, strength training offers a multitude of advantages that can significantly impact an athlete’s performance.
By incorporating strength training into your training regimen, motocross athletes can enhance bike control, increase stamina, prevent injuries, boost power and acceleration, and improve reaction time.
“Better body control = better bike control!”
If you’re a motocross athlete and you’re not sure where to start with your training or you may be already doing strength work in the gym but lacking direction and not seeing the results…
Come and book a consultation with one of our Exercise Physiologists at Fighting Fit Physiotherapy and we’ll get you started in the right direction!
You will see why we have produced many of Australia’s best motocross riders such as Aaron Tanti, Nathan Crawford, Kaleb Barham, Dan Reardon, Ryan Alexanderson and have many up and coming male and female riders in progress!
As always stay Fighting Fit.
Renae joined our Exercise Physiology team in 2021.
Having a long history in the health and fitness industry as well as growing up around all things exercise (her mum is also an Exercise Physiologist) this career runs in her blood.
Renae has a love of both strength and conditioning as well as pilates to help people over come injury, pain or health concerns.
Renae joined our Exercise Physiology team in 2021.
Having a long history in the health and fitness industry as well as growing up around all things exercise (her mum is also an Exercise Physiologist) this career runs in her blood.
Renae has a love of both strength and conditioning as well as pilates to help people over come injury, pain or health concerns.