The Full Circle Podcast

Coach Tip Tuesday: Don't Pull Up on Your Bicycle Pedals

March 26, 2024 Full Circle Endurance Episode 19
Coach Tip Tuesday: Don't Pull Up on Your Bicycle Pedals
The Full Circle Podcast
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The Full Circle Podcast
Coach Tip Tuesday: Don't Pull Up on Your Bicycle Pedals
Mar 26, 2024 Episode 19
Full Circle Endurance

“Push down, pull up” is a cue that has been passed around the cycling world like popcorn at the movies.  While it’s extremely common advice, it’s actually extremely incorrect advice.  Unfortunately, because it is so common, people often automatically assume that it’s good advice.  But pulling up on your bicycle pedals hurts you more than it helps you.  Coach Laura dives into the reason why this is true and gives advice on what you should do to optimize your pedaling mechanics.



Read this Coach Tip Tuesday: 

https://www.fullcircleendurance.com/blog/coach-tip-tuesday-dont-pull-up-on-your-bicycle-pedals 



Book a Bike Fit with Coach Laura:

https://www.fullcircleendurance.com/coaching-services/bike-fitting 



Sources:

Coyle, E. F. et al., “Physiological and biomechanical factors associated with elite endurance cycling performance


Edwards, Lindsay M. et al., “Whole-body efficiency is negatively correlated with minimum torque per duty cycle in trained cyclists


Korff, Thomas et al., “Effect of Pedaling Technique on Mechanical Effectiveness and Efficiency in Cyclists


Bike Fit 2nd Edition: Optimize Your Bike Position for High Performance and Injury Avoidance by Phil Burt


Training and Racing with a Power Meter: Third Edition by Hunter Allen + Andrew Coggan, PhD + Stephen McGregor, PhD



Learn more about Full Circle Endurance: https://FullCircleEndurance.com/

Submit questions to be answered on the show: https://FullCircleEndurance.com/podcast/

Reach out to Coach Laura Henry: Hello@FullCircleEndurance.com

Show Notes Chapter Markers

“Push down, pull up” is a cue that has been passed around the cycling world like popcorn at the movies.  While it’s extremely common advice, it’s actually extremely incorrect advice.  Unfortunately, because it is so common, people often automatically assume that it’s good advice.  But pulling up on your bicycle pedals hurts you more than it helps you.  Coach Laura dives into the reason why this is true and gives advice on what you should do to optimize your pedaling mechanics.



Read this Coach Tip Tuesday: 

https://www.fullcircleendurance.com/blog/coach-tip-tuesday-dont-pull-up-on-your-bicycle-pedals 



Book a Bike Fit with Coach Laura:

https://www.fullcircleendurance.com/coaching-services/bike-fitting 



Sources:

Coyle, E. F. et al., “Physiological and biomechanical factors associated with elite endurance cycling performance


Edwards, Lindsay M. et al., “Whole-body efficiency is negatively correlated with minimum torque per duty cycle in trained cyclists


Korff, Thomas et al., “Effect of Pedaling Technique on Mechanical Effectiveness and Efficiency in Cyclists


Bike Fit 2nd Edition: Optimize Your Bike Position for High Performance and Injury Avoidance by Phil Burt


Training and Racing with a Power Meter: Third Edition by Hunter Allen + Andrew Coggan, PhD + Stephen McGregor, PhD



Learn more about Full Circle Endurance: https://FullCircleEndurance.com/

Submit questions to be answered on the show: https://FullCircleEndurance.com/podcast/

Reach out to Coach Laura Henry: Hello@FullCircleEndurance.com

Opening
The Fallacy of "Push Down, Pull Up"
The Basics of Cycling Pedaling Mechanics
The Downstroke
The Backstroke
The Upstroke
The Overstroke
Putting it All Together
Work With, Not Against (aka Work Smarter, Not Harder)
Clipless vs. Flat Pedals
For the Love of Clipless Pedals
Advantages of Flat Pedals
The Bottom Line
Closing

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