About a year ago, Nate approached me with a realization—if ski guiding and mountain bike coaching were going to be a long-term career for him, he needed to start looking after his body. Constantly pushing hard in the mountains was taking a toll. Recovery was slow, pain was a given, and he was starting to feel the wear and tear of back-to-back seasons.
Nate knew he needed to make a change, but like many riders, he wasn’t sure where to start. His goals were simple: improve recovery, reduce strain injuries, and build the strength needed for bigger features. What he didn’t expect was just how much strength training would impact not only his body—but his confidence and overall approach to riding.
Here’s how structured training helped Nate ride stronger, recover faster, and feel more in control on and off the bike.
The Challenges of Riding Without Strength Training Before starting a strength program, Nate's recovery times were long, and soreness after big rides was a given. He dealt with injuries by pushing through the pain, which only masked underlying imbalances. While he loved pushing his limits, he lacked the confidence to tackle bigger features.
"I always just dealt with injuries and ignored pain as best I could," Nate shared. "But eventually, I realized I needed to address the weak spots in my body if I wanted to improve."
The Game-Changing Effects of Strength TrainingNate’s goals were clear: reduce strain injuries, speed up recovery, and build strength for confidence and control. His results went beyond what he expected:
Faster Recovery: "I feel less sore from big rides, and my recovery time is faster," Nate said.
Improved Riding Performance: "My power is increased, my average pace is better, and I just feel better on the bike."
Balanced Strength: By targeting weak areas like his shoulders and hips, Nate experienced noticeable improvements. "My shoulders and hips feel much less sore after a ride now. I can feel them working better—it’s amazing."
Increased Confidence: Perhaps the most unexpected benefit was the mental shift. "I know I’m stronger, and that preparation gives me confidence for bigger moves. The psychological boost was a surprise but such a big part of the improvement."
Why Strength Training is a Must for Mountain BikersNate compares strength training to upgrading your bike:"It's like getting a better shock or tire. Improving your strength directly benefits every aspect of your riding. The results aren’t immediate, but they’re worth it—not just for riding, but for your overall well-being."
Making it Work for a Busy ScheduleOne of Nate’s initial concerns was fitting a program into his already packed life. With a flexible plan and accountability through coaching, he found it easier than expected. "The program fits into my days, even when things get busy and plans change. And having Alex hold me accountable has been huge. I wouldn’t stick with it on my own."
Takeaways for Riders Considering Strength Training
One of the biggest challenges in Nate’s journey has been his unpredictable schedule. Except for a handful of times a year, his training is at the mercy of his coaching and guiding. This makes it difficult to complete full training blocks with steady overload and rescovery, but we’ve structured his program to be flexible—allowing him to stay consistent even when his routine changes. Despite these challenges, Nate has already made huge progress. And the exciting part? We’re only scratching the surface of what he can achieve.
Complex scenarios like Nate’s are exactly what I love about my job. Every rider has unique demands—whether it’s balancing ski guiding with mountain biking, managing past injuries, or simply making training fit into a busy life. The challenge is figuring out exactly what your body needs and how to make it work for you.
If you know you need to start looking after your body so you can get more out of your riding—and life in general—book a call with me here and let’s figure it out together.
Alex
Comments