MTB Strength Training Systems

MTB Strength Training Systems The world leader in integrated performance training programs for the unique demands of mountain biking.

Based in Grand Junction, MTB Strength Training Systems is the world leader in integrated performance training programs for the unique demands of mountain biking. As the strength and conditioning coach for the Yeti World Cup Team and 3 National Champions his programs have been proven at the highest levels. As a regular contributor to Decline Magazine, Pinkbike.com and his own popular blog BikeJames

.com, James has helped thousands of riders just like you improve their speed, endurance and skills on the trail.

11/03/2025

Most riders think they have a skills problem… But what if the real issue is how your body moves? In this podcast, I break down why so many riders struggle to improve their cornering, manuals, and jumps — even after spending time and money on skills clinics. The truth is, movement is the foundati...

Most riders focus on the wrong thing when learning to jump.They think it’s all about the stomp or fully extending the ar...
10/31/2025

Most riders focus on the wrong thing when learning to jump.

They think it’s all about the stomp or fully extending the arms and legs… but those are just symptoms of good jumping.

The cause of good jumping is what actually creates those movements — driving your hips (your belt buckle) into the lip of the jump.

Once you learn to do that, everything else falls into place:
✅ More pop with less speed
✅ Better control and balance in the air
✅ Smoother, more consistent landings

The cool part? You already know how to do it. If I asked you to broad jump across a 4-foot gap, you’d naturally throw your hips forward — same idea on the bike.

In my latest post, I break this all down and share a few off-bike drills to help you feel it for yourself.

👉 Read (and watch) the full post here: https://www.bikejames.com/strength/the-secret-movement-tip-for-better-jumps/

Until next time…

Ride Strong,

James Wilson
MTB Strength Training Systems

10/24/2025

Watching this year’s Red Bull Rampage left me conflicted.

The level of riding was unreal… but so were the crashes.
Half the women’s field, several men — serious injuries, hospital runs, and a sense that we might be one crash away from a tragedy.

Look, I love Rampage. Always have. It’s the last living piece of true Freeride.
But if it keeps heading the way it’s going, we could lose it.

My take?
Rampage needs to get back to the mountain.
Big natural lines. Raw terrain. A limit on how many sculpted features riders can use.

Let them shape one or two with water — that’s it.
Keep the rest natural.
Less slopestyle, more soul.

We’ll still get epic runs, but with fewer life-or-death moments.
Sometimes you’ve got to save the riders from themselves so the event can survive.

What do you think — would that ruin Rampage or save it?

10/23/2025

Red Bull Rampage - How To Save It From Itself

Some thoughts on Red Bull Rampage - how we got here, where we're at and how to save it from itself.

10/23/2025

Some thoughts on the Red Bull Rampage - how we got here, where we're at and how to save it from itself.

Want to ride faster and last longer — without adding more cardio?Most riders overlook one of the easiest ways to boost p...
10/17/2025

Want to ride faster and last longer — without adding more cardio?

Most riders overlook one of the easiest ways to boost performance on the trail:
Better breathing and isometric strength.

In this new podcast, I break down how to use Breathing Gears — a simple system that matches your breathing to your effort — so you can:
✅ Stay ahead of fatigue
✅ Climb stronger
✅ Recover faster
✅ Ride with more confidence

You’ll also learn how to use Ramping Isometrics off the bike to train your breathing control and build full-body stability — something every 40+ rider needs for long-term performance.

The cool part? You can feel the difference in just a couple of weeks.

Check it out now and see how to:

“Shift” your breathing before the trail forces you to

Apply the 3 Breathing Gears for every type of effort

Adjust if nasal breathing feels tough

Train your breathing and strength together with Ramping Isometrics

Do what most riders won’t… and you’ll perform like most riders can’t.

https://www.bikejames.com/strength/the-fastest-way-to-improve-your-performance-breathing-gears-isometrics/

—
James Wilson
MTB Strength Training Systems

10/16/2025

Most riders try to get faster by doing more cardio or riding harder… but the real performance breakthrough comes from learning how to breathe better and control your tension. In this podcast, I’ll show you how to use Breathing Gears — a simple system that matches your breathing to your effort ...

Strength is the glass. Everything else—cardio, endurance, skills—is the liquid you pour into it. If your glass is small,...
10/06/2025

Strength is the glass. Everything else—cardio, endurance, skills—is the liquid you pour into it.

If your glass is small, it doesn’t matter how much you pour in—you’ll run out fast.
But if you make the glass bigger (get stronger), you can hold more of everything.

The problem?
1️⃣ Most riders skip strength training and wonder why their endurance stalls.
2️⃣ Others turn strength workouts into cardio by never resting between sets.

If you’re over 40, this stuff matters even more.
- Build real strength with heavier weights, longer rest, and focused breathing.
- Use a 5-3-2 setup: 5 reps, 3 reps, 2 reps—add weight each round.

Make your glass bigger and watch every part of your riding improve.

Ride Strong,
James Wilson

10/04/2025

By using shifting your weight forward and "hovering" over the bike you can get rid of pedal bob when standing up. This takes upper body and core strength so make sure you're working on that in the gym.

10/04/2025

There is a whole industry around protecting the sensitive bits in your crotch but if you stand up more you take the pressure off and don't need a fancy seat or padded shorts.

10/03/2025

The staggered stance squat is a great MTB specific leg exercise. By keeping weight on the front leg and using the back leg for light support, it helps mimic the single-leg position used when standing up to pedal.

10/03/2025

Building isometric strength can significantly improve a rider's strength and stability when standing up. Holding a deep bodyweight squat for 90 seconds can be a game changer. It's a simple yet effective way to enhance your squat pattern and overall riding ability.

Address

316 Highway 6 And 50
Fruita, CO
81521

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when MTB Strength Training Systems posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category