Join my mailing list and receive all the latest articles straight to your inbox. Subscribers get early access to seasonal offers & discounts.

Finding Your Real Strength Bottleneck Most mountain bikers ask the wrong question in winter training. They ask: “Am I strong enough?” As a coach, I’m far more interested in: “Which part of your MTB Fitness is currently holding you back?” Because “fitness” isn’t one thing — and treating it like it is is where most training goes off the rails. Strength Isn't even a Single Quality Two riders can lift the same weights and ride very differently. That’s because strength shows up on

"Ask ten mountain bikers what “core training” means, and you’ll get ten different answers. Planks. Crunches. Sit-ups. Ab circuits that leave you sweating but unsure what actually carries over to riding. There are two problems that most riders encounter when training their core. Most core training doesn’t match what the core actually does on a mountain bike. And more importantly, Most core training isn't serving you as a functional human. Winter is the best time to fix t

If you’ve ever stood in the gym wondering whether what you’re doing actually helps your riding — you’re not alone. Most mountain bikers aren’t short on effort. They’re short on clarity . This is exactly why I explain the purpose behind each exercise in my programs. Winter is the best time to build strength that actually transfers to the bike — if you focus on the right things. This isn’t about random exercises or Instagram trends. It’s about training the movement patterns an

January is a strange time for mountain bikers. Riding is inconsistent. Motivation comes and goes. Instagram is full of people training like it’s already race season — and most riders are quietly wondering: “Am I doing the right thing right now?” I'm here to answer that. Not with hype. Not with a 12-week shred program. But with a clear, seasonal training plan that actually respects how mountain biking works — and how real people live. If you want to ride better, feel stronger

Most riders say they want to get stronger. Very few actually show up. As a coach who works exclusively with mountain bikers, this is one of the most common patterns I see in mountain bike strength training — not a lack of motivation, but too much internal dialogue, self-negotiation. The alarm goes off. You lie there. And the conversation starts. Should I train today? Maybe I’ll just ride more. I’m pretty tired… That conversation is the problem. Not willpower. Not discipline.

By Coach Ackerley | @themtbstrengthcoach  | Take the MTB Fitness Quiz “The pros train harder — so I should too, right?” You’d think so. And on paper, it makes sense. But I’ve seen World cup-level riders fall into the same trap as amateurs: chasing fatigue over function, reinforcing bad form, thinking harder training means better results. They’re left tired, sore, and frustrated — not because they’re not committed, but because their training isn’t actually designed to support

How We Build Strong, Durable Riders All Winter (Injury comebacks, Bulding on success, Body recomposition, and big goals ahead) 🎯 The Off-Season Reality Off-season training looks a little different for everyone I coach. Some riders are coming back from injuries. Others are tapering for multi-day enduro races overseas. Many are back for another season looking to build on their previous success. A few are brand new to structured training — but not letting it stifle their ambiti

(And How You Can Too) If you’ve been following along, you know I’ve been changing gears lately — swapping a bit of bike time for trail runs and other ways to move. Last week, I talked about why that matters. This week, I want to zoom out and talk about how to think about cross-training — from first principles. Start With the End in Mind Everything I do this time of year ladders up to three goals: Long term: Still be riding strong at 60. Medium term: Perform better next yea

Rethinking Fitness Testing for Riders Every fall, my inbox fills up with questions like: “Do I need a VO₂ test before starting my off-season?” “What kind of testing do you use to build training plans?” And honestly — I get it. When you see pro riders wired up and grinding through structured protocols, it’s easy to assume that’s what real testing looks like. But here’s the truth: you don’t need a lab to learn a lot about your fitness. What matters most isn’t the equipment — i

This week saw a shift - I'm back at the dirt jumps after school with my little guy, client calls - we're talking about more lifting and less riding, even prepping for ski season. And the World Cup Riders are back in town, crushing my V02max and self-esteem 😩 Here's how I'm framing things for me and my Riders... Seasons change. Routines shift. More rain, less daylight, colder rides. At first, Fall can feel like a problem: 🌧️ Wetter trails = less traction 🌒 Shorter days = f

Why We Train for Crashes, Not Just Rides Most training — in the gym and on the bike — is about performing intentional actions . Squats, deadlifts, push-ups, and rows. On the bike, it’s climbs, corners, and braking drills. All of it looks structured, controlled, and predictable. But mountain biking is rarely predictable. Dabs (momentary foot down) happen often. Falling off completely happens too, though less often. And once every year or so, you might have one of those crashes

– Why You Should Shift Your Gym Focus in the summer (Not Abandon It) Let’s be honest: here in the Pacific Northwest, summer doesn’t last long. We know that. Every sunny day feels like it could be the last, so we try to make the most of it—sunset laps, alpine missions, and maybe even the occasional multisport epic. And that’s exactly how it should be. But if you're riding more, sleeping less, and cramming adventure into every pocket of your week (guilty), it might be time to

If you nailed your preseason training, you probably feel it—you’re stronger, faster, and more confident on the bike. Your uphill power has improved, your downhill skills are sharper, and you’ve been out putting in the miles, enjoying your progress. But now… the gains have stalled. Your rides feel harder, your speed flatlines, and the plateau is real. Sound familiar? This is one of the most common challenges I see mountain bikers face during the season. So what can you do to k

Mountain biking is supposed to be fun.But what happens when it starts to feel like a chore? If you’ve ever hit that point in the season where riding feels more like an obligation than a joy—or when even easy rides feel heavy—you might be dealing with burnout . It happens to every athlete eventually.Even the pros.Even the coaches (ask me how I know). And the tricky part? Most riders don’t recognize burnout until they’re deep in it. What Causes MTB Burnout? Burnout is usually

With the MTB season in full swing, injuries are starting to roll in . Lately, I’ve been working with riders managing: A high ankle sprain (2–4 weeks out from trail-ready) A broken finger (recently back on the bike) Chronic back nerve impingement (now riding at ~95% send-ability) An ACL tear awaiting surgery Ongoing recovery from a motor vehicle accident (affecting shoulders, knees, hips) But alongside the “obvious” injuries—the ones that stop riders in their tracks—there’s an

Whether you’re tackling sharp corners, landing jumps, or climbing steep terrain, a strong connection between the lower and upper body is...

The archer push-up has emerged as a go-to exercise among fitness enthusiasts, often featured in videos showcasing impressive strength and...

In Mountain Biking, a strong core is essential for success. It goes beyond just having a six-pack; it's about stability and control on...

You’re curious about training, and I get it—mountain biking is demanding and rewarding in equal measure. Isn't that why we love it? I...

While some of us might be mourning the end of another awesome riding season, others are taking consolation in the excitement of winter...