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Quick-Step's Quick Yoga Workout

Intern Liam learns to plank on some Quick-Step planks

As a cyclist, my favourite thing to do is get outside and pedal my bike. One of my lest favourite things to do is anything involving my upper body. So when Quick-Step Floors Pro Cycling Team invited me along to a core stability training day, I was just a little worried.

 

Obviously, the Editors thought it would be funny to see me attempt a plank, so I was sent to Ghent, to meet Zdenyek Stybar and Julien Vermote two of the team’s Classics specialists. 

Arriving at the event, I was met by rather large photos of a half naked Marcel Kittle. You’ll all be glad to know I kept my clothes on at all times!

Our Yoga took place on Quick-Step’s Majestic laminate floor, a sweat-proof floor that is “the longest and widest laminate flooring ever”, good to know for some core work, or an intense turbo session.

Quick-Step_Core Stability Event_02.jpg

On with the Yoga. Joking aside, it’s something that all cyclists should be doing occasionally. Strengthening your core is a sure fire way of going quicker on the bike, not to mention the added injury prevention it brings, particularly around the lower back area. Stretching out over-worked muscles can help recovery and leave you better prepared for your next ride. There’s really very few downsides.

Quick-Step_Core Stability Event_15.jpg

The session started with a short warm up that focused mainly on the range of motion around the hips and lower back. Being in a static position, both on the bike and at work, means that I wasn’t too good at this. 

Quick-Step_Core Stability Event_11.jpg

 

I was then subject to the torture of enacting various plank-like positions all of which highlighted significant weaknesses in my core and arms. As a group, we twitched, grumbled and eventually collapsed onto our Airex Yoga mats. In front of me, Julien Vermote demonstrated each movement with ease, a very annoying ease I might add.

Quick-Step_Core Stability Event_16.jpg

The session finished with a static push-up hold, disturbingly demonstrated by a very large Tom Boonen. There was awkward eye contact.

I'll be continuing with the core work, hopefully time will show that it makes me faster on the bike.

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