What Time-Crunched Athletes Need to Know About Altitude Training

One of the reasons CTS headquarters are in Colorado Springs, Colorado is that there are a ton of smart sports science folks here. And those who don’t live here typically come through here for conferences or events, like the US Olympic Committee’s International Altitude Training Symposium. Because altitude training and performance at high altitudes are …

8 Tips for Your Best Gran Fondo Performance

  By Jim Rutberg, CTS Pro Coach, co-author of “The Time-Crunched Cyclist”, “Ride Inside“ and “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” Gran Fondos have something for everyone. If you’re just looking for a huge day on the bike, you’ll get one. And unlike a typical century ride, if you have a competitive streak you can race a Gran …

How To Keep the Weight Off This Fall

I know cyclists who have summer and winter kits, not because one is warmer but because they fit into a medium jersey in the summer and need a large from October through March. Rather than reaching for the bigger jersey, here are proven steps I use to keep athletes from gaining too much weight in …

The Top 5 Things Cyclocross Will Do for Your Fitness

Cyclocross is one of the most accessible disciplines in the spectrum of cycling events. The events are short, venues don’t require closing streets, and it’s spectator friendly. That, and a cyclocross bike is probably the most versatile bike you can buy; a go anywhere do anything bike at home on pavement, gravel, bike paths, and …

beets nitric oxide nitrate

Which is Better: Cooked or Raw Beets? (Free Recipe Included!)

I’m going to preface this by saying I don’t like beets. I know they are packed with nutrients (including nitrates), may improve cardiovascular health, and may even increase athletic performance by boosting nitric oxide levels, but I’ve never enjoyed eating beets. So when I reached out to CTS Athlete and renowned chef Matthew Accarrino, from …

lactate threshold testing

The Performance Benefits of Lactate Threshold Testing and Training

Whether you are a triathlete, runner, skier, cyclist, or rower, endurance athletes need accurate physiological data to guide and monitor training. Lactate threshold is one of the most commonly, and effectively, used performance markers used by many athletes and coaches. The point of lactate threshold testing is to learn the highest intensity you can sustain …