Cycling Workout: Speed Work

Join iFIT Trainer Jenny Fletcher for the Cyprus Biking for Weight Loss program! Across ten rides, you’ll tackle short bursts, endurance efforts, longer intervals, and climbs designed to support weight loss while building strength, confidence, and mental grit. Each workout can be completed in any order, making it easy to fit into your schedule as you enjoy stunning coastal and mountain views.

If you’re familiar with the cycling world and follow European racing, you may have come across both myself and the team I coach, the UAE Team Emirates. I’m Kevin Poulton and have coached for nearly 25 years, specializing in Spring Classics riders and sprinters. In that time, I’ve been fortunate to coach elite World Tour professionals and work with some of the best teams in the sport. My athletes have secured victories in Paris-Roubaix, Tour de France stage wins, World Championship Road Race podiums, and multiple Spring Classics podiums. And now, you’re my next athlete! The Series Structure I designed the Train for a Tour Series much like the programs I use at UAE Team Emirates’ training camps. Over six weeks, your iFIT Trainers (all of which are pro cyclists themselves) will run you through an immersive World Tour pre-season experience. You’ll train in Mallorca, Spain, as it is the ultimate training destination for professionals. Every winter, World Tour teams flock to the island for their pre-season camps, and for good reason. The terrain is incredibly diverse, offering long, steady climbs, rolling hills, and flat coastal roads—exactly what’s needed to develop all aspects of cycling fitness. The Train for a Tour Series gradually builds in intensity, taking you from controlled endurance efforts to high-powered, race-specific efforts. The workouts follow a carefully structured progression: Early Weeks: Lower-intensity, steady-state efforts with proper recovery, laying the foundation for improved aerobic endurance and efficiency.Mid-Series: More focused interval work, targeting different energy systems, including fast-twitch muscle activation, anaerobic power, and high-intensity efforts.Final Weeks: Race-like sessions, including VO2 max intervals, lactate tolerance efforts, and short recoveries, mimicking the demands of competition. If you follow my training program as I’ve laid out (and you ensure that the SmartAdjust™ feature on your bike is on), you can expect to see improvements in your cycling performance, endurance, and ability to sustain high-intensity efforts. Check out more articles on training like the pros:Part 2: leveraging data Part 3: how to avoid beginner mistakes Good luck and enjoy the ride, Kevin Poulton Shop NordicTrack bikes Disclaimer: The primary purpose of this blog post is to inform and entertain. Nothing on the post constitutes or is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided on the blog is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, and please consult your doctor or other health care provider before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information available on this blog. NordicTrack assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.

Ever wondered how the pros train? This month, we have your chance! Join iFIT Trainer George Hincapie in beautiful Croatia for an incredible cycling adventure. Over 12 workouts, you’ll get views of stunning waterfalls and the Adriatic Sea, ride through the town of Split, and take on the steep climbs to the Biokovo Skywalk. Whether you’re training for a race or just looking to enhance your overall fitness, this is the Challenge for you! Complete the workouts from your selected Challenge level by February 28, 2025 and earn a digital reward viewable in your Trophy Case. Here is this month’s Challenge: Bike workouts Head to Croatia with iFIT Trainer and professional cyclist George Hincapie (and a few friends!) for a professional-level training experience. This 12-part series, set against a stunning Croatian backdrop, will take you through interval-based training. Modeled after pro-level cycling workouts, it will help you ride stronger, longer, and more efficiently. Join the Chasing the Tour Challenge Disclaimer: The primary purpose of this blog post is to inform and entertain. Nothing on the post constitutes or is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided on the blog is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, and please consult your doctor or other health care provider before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information available on this blog. iFIT assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.