Are you curious about cycling training books that will help get fitter, stronger, and faster?
If you are, then this post is for you, especially if you’ve blasted through the new cyclist* stage and you’re ready for more.
The recommendations in this list can help you progress your fitness, boost your cycling speed, strengthen your muscles, and train for races.
*If you’re new to cycling, start over here, where you’ll find a list of cycling books for beginners that will walk you through everything you need to know about getting started with cycling.
Let’s dive in.
Whether you’re a runner looking for running tips or a cyclist searching for cycling advice, this site is here to help you elevate your fitness game.
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11 BEST CYCLING TRAINING BOOKS WILL TAKE YOUR CYCLING TO THE NEXT LEVEL
The Cyclist’s Training Bible, Joe Friel
Are you looking to plan a racing season?
The Cyclist’s Training Bible walks you through the components of a training plan so that you can achieve better race results.
You’ll learn how to:
- Progress your training for your race
- Balance stress and rest to avoid overtraining
- And, create your own individual, customized training plan based on your cycling strengths
The Power Meter Handbook, Joe Friel
A power meter placed on your bike is a valuable tool that helps you measure how hard you’re working (or really, how powerfully you’re coming down on your pedals).
The power you’re using to put into your pedals results in your power output and is measured in watts.
And a power meter can measure your progress, find the right training intensity for your workouts, and help you train efficiently.
If you’re ready for a power meter, then The Power Meter Handbook will help you get the most from it in an easy-to-understand way.
Training and Racing with a Power Meter, Hunter Allen, Andrew R. Coggan PhD, et al.
If you want another perspective on training with a power meter, then look to Training and Racing with a Power Meter.
Because here, you’ll deep dive into the data that comes from training with a power meter to plan your future training sessions and improve your racing performance.
NO TIME? THESE CYCLING BOOKS WILL HELP YOU GET FIT IN LESS TIME
Ride Inside, Joe Friel, Jim Rutberg
There’s nothing more convenient than having your bike attached to an indoor trainer. You’re free to hop on your bike whenever it suits your schedule and whatever the weather—rain or shine.
And if you ride inside or want to get started, then you can’t miss this book.
You’ll learn how to effectively use indoor workouts—Zwifting included—to boost your training.
The Time-Crunched Cyclist, Chris Carmichael, Jim Rutberg
How do you get fitter and faster on your bike when you don’t have time to train like the pros?
The answer is in this book, The Time-Crunched Cyclist.
You’ll find a training program with a weekly volume of 6 hours (8 hours if you want to extend your cycling time).
But that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy.
With less volume, you’ve got to dial up the intensity to push your performance. And if you’re ready for it, then The Time-Crunched Cyclist might be for you.
Sign up to receive bi-weekly tips and advice for cyclists and runners. And grab this free download which includes 3 HIIT cycling workouts that will make time fly as you challenge yourself with sprints, intervals, and rest breaks.
GET STRONGER WITH THESE STRENGTH TRAINING CYCLING BOOKS
It’s easy to brush off weight training because it doesn’t seem directly related to cycling performance.
But did you know that your whole body supports you on the bike?
- Your back supports your spine as you lean forward on your bike.
- Abdominal muscles support your torso and align your spine.
- Your arms control the direction of your bike.
And with these strength training cycling books, you’ll learn how a few power moves can help you resist injury.
Cycling Anatomy, Shannon Sovndal
Your entire body needs to be strong for you to become a strong, injury-free cyclist. And with Cycling Anatomy, you’ll learn how to strengthen your body for maximum power output.
The Athlete’s Guide to Recovery, Sage Rountree
Have you had tired legs after cycling?
Why does this happen? And what should you do after a long bike ride? How do you balance between pushing your performance and taking a day off?
Every cyclist has a different recovery timeline and recovery needs and with The Athlete’s Guide to Recovery, you’ll learn how to pinpoint your own recovery needs and what to do about them.
Maximum Overload for Cyclists, Jacques DeVore and Roy M. Wallack
You can lift weights and get faster on your bike if you know what to do. In Maximum Overload for Cyclists, you’ll learn how to train with weights to help your cycling.
Pain-Free Cyclist, Matt Rabin, Robert Hicks, et al.
When you have a cycling injury, do you know what to do? Do you rest? Ride? With the Pain-Free Cyclist, you’ll learn how to spot an injury and how to recover from it.
Took some time off from cycling? This 12-week return to cycling plan will give you a framework that will guide you through what to do each week.
Finish Strong: Resistance Training for Endurance Athletes, Richard Boergers, Angelo Gingerelli
From combining strength training with cycling, when to do strength training, and a strength training plan to follow, the advice within these pages has been helpful to me, and I’m sharing a little bit of what I’ve learned on strength training for cyclists, so hopefully, it can help you too.
LEARN HOW TO GET FASTER ON YOUR BIKE WITH THIS CYCLING BOOK
Get Fast!, Selene Yeager
Whether you’re a brand new cyclist or a veteran rider, you’ll learn how to refine your riding style for more speed.
Don’t forget to sign up to receive bi-weekly tips and advice for cyclists and runners. And grab this free download which includes 3 HIIT cycling workouts that will make time fly as you challenge yourself with sprints, intervals, and rest breaks.
