Corps or core? Are we talking about the Marines? Or muscles?

It\’s amazing how important core (and arm and upper body) strength is even for the recreational cyclist. When I first got going on two wheels , I couldn\’t ride up a mild incline without having the bike waver so badly that I could barely control it. I couldn\’t ride more than 15-20 minutes before my abs started to sag, causing me to go sway-backed, which wasn\’t any too good for my lower back. My arms would start to feel like overcooked spaghetti.

That\’s when it struck me: I had better start working to develop some strength in my arms and core. So I began to look for exercises that I could do.

The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling includes several. GetFast! also has some. Exercises that I find especially difficult are the prone plank, crank plank, and lunge with twist. When I first began to attempt the crank-plank, it was all I could to to get into the starting position. Even then I had to extend my free arm to the front. At first it was hard to hold that for three seconds!

It\’s taken a long time for me to build up a moderate amount of strength, because I don\’t do long sessions. I don\’t care about looking like a body-builder. I just want to firm up my corps … or core?