“Almost immediately, I felt stronger and more in tune with my body. I did a private session with James, and I learned a ton about recruiting my glutes. They’re the biggest muscles in our bodies, and we hardly use ‘em.

I feel great. This spring I rode less XC and road, but somehow I’m climbing stronger. I feel very stable, and I feel like no matter what happens, I can handle it. In four weeks I’ve dropped my 2.4-mile climb home from 18 minutes to 14. Pushing the DH bike up Left Hand Canyon has never been easier. At Sea Otter I felt superhuman. Dude: 2nd in semipro slalom qualifiers — that is awesome for me!

On a busy day when I can’t ride, James’ one-hour workout works me hard and gives me the confidence I’m doing the right thing. I trust the guy, and doing what he says feels easy (mentally, not physically!).

I really dig the MTB Strength Training System. It’s teaching me a lot about my body, it’s making me strong, it’s adding variety to my workouts, and it’s actually pretty fun. Most of us can benefit from increased mobility, stability, strength and power. If you’re willing to put in the work, I recommend James Wilson’s program.”

Lee McCormack — www.LeeLikesBikes.com
Author – Mastering Mountain Bike Skills

Recently I cleaned this climb that I have never cleaned before in my 10 years of riding that trail.  As I was powering up the hill, I thought, maybe it’s the new heavy metal I put on the iPod, maybe it’s the sticky trails after the last rain, maybe it’s the new bike I was riding…..It couldn’t be the training I’ve been doing could it?

It’s making a big difference.  I went to Moab over Easter weekend and rode three days with my brother who always leaves me in the dust.  After the third day in a row of riding and me on his wheel all the way down Porcupine Rim he noticed the difference in my riding and commented on the improvement that he clearly could see. ”

Larry Young

Any rider who wants to get the most out of their abilities should invest in a program from James – it will definitely help you ride faster and with more confidence.”

Aaron Gwin
Yeti/ Fox Racing Shox Factory Team
2009, 2010 National DH Champ/ #4 Final World Cup Rankings 2010

20 Minutes Max Sustained Effort – Indoor Trainer

5/24/10 – 7.97 Miles (23.9 MPH)
7/6/10 – 7.93 Miles (23.8 MPH)
7/19/10 – Week 1 DB Program
8/18/10 – 8.91 Miles (26.6 MPH)

Yeah I’d say I’m seeing results. Thanks for putting this together.”

Jeff Zook

I also really look forward to my work outs, though about by the time I get into the ab sequence and the reverse twists I start getting super sweaty. They are so intense! Thanks for everything, and I’m very happy I came across you!”

Simon Boyce

Your strength training program is different and better than anything I have tried in the past. There is an old saying that goes something like “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results”. Well this year I expect to have more snap, better control and most of all more fun because your program is going to make me stronger than ever. Thank you…”

Gene Hamilton
UCI World Masters Championship Silver and Bronze Medalist
Owner/ Operator of Better Ride Skills Camps

I have found that I am MUCH more flexible and have become a stronger more aggressive and more fluid rider. With the increased risks I have taken some bigger spills but seem to avoid injury (so far) better than I used to. The overall benefit from this program is HUGE and the cost is less than two sessions with a trainer (who does not get mountain biking). Thanks James!”

Lou via www.leelikesbikes.com

“As an elite athlete on the NORBA circuit for the last 10 years, I’ve always strived for an edge over my competition. With sponsorships and money at stake, every edge I can get is important. I knew what a good strength and conditioning program could do for me. I came across James Wilson from MTB Strength Training System through SponsorHouse.  I chose his program based on the fact that his workouts were strictly based on the demands of mountain bike riding and racing.

After the first workout I could tell that it was completely different than anything else I had come across and would definitely make an impact on my riding. I’m very excited for the 2007 racing season. With James and his unique program in my corner I’m going to make it tough for anyone to snatch the NORBA 4X National Champion title away from me.”

Rich Houseman
2006 NORBA Mountain Cross National Champion/ 2007 US Open Champion

I think the most valuable thing, besides my obviously stronger core, were those box squats where you squat down and explode as soon as you touch the box.  The first few workouts made me realize how completely un-explosive I was.

On the trail it was noticeable how much faster I could yank the bike up and over stuff.  Some of the trail riding I do here is extremely technical and requires an obscene amount of body English.   This improvement became most apparent on technical descents, where you are struggling to carry speed, and one mistake can cut your momentum in half.

Yesterday I went for a long trail ride with some very technical descents.  Even though I’m sick, and struggled on the climbs, I was stoked to ’snap’ way more than I used to.  I was able to pull and pump HARDDDD on the descents.  Rather than just “unweighting” over the rough stuff, I was actually able to gap things and carry ludicrous speed into the next section.

I had two very fast riders chasing me, both of whom I respect a lot, and I couldn’t help but smile as I sat and waited at the next junction for them to catch up (smiling although I was hacking up a lung because of the bronchitis).  I just felt “on it”.

You know, the fact that I can’t breath, but could still pull it out on the descents is probably completely owed to the anaerobic conditioning I’ve been doing.  Thanks for your program, and your obvious continued concern and support for the athletes using it.”

Scott Brafford

Troy Cooperman via www.leelikesbikes.com

Also, I would like to mention how much I feel that it has impacted my riding as an ultra-endurance rider. Most mountain bikers that participate in XC, 24 hour and marathon races do not feel that strength training has much to offer them but as someone who does these types of riding I can tell you that they are certainly missing the boat.

My riding is stronger than ever and this program has even helped my riding endurance. Long story short, I am hesitant to recommend this program to my fellow competitors because I feel that it is going to give me an edge over them but I am so impressed with the program that I feel it would be wrong to keep it all to myself.”

Nate Wilson
XC and Marathon Racer

I recently placed 10th in the PRO downhill at the Virginia state championships.  It was my first time racing in the pro class(30-39 expert usually but I said what the hell) and have also won the North Carolina state Super D series(won 3 out of 3 races in my class).  So needless to say, I am very happy and have been plugging your program to all my bros.  Since I didn’t get started on the program until the season was underway, I really can’t wait to start from the beginning of the program when the race season is over.  Thanks so much for everything!!”

Andy DeVault

Sean via www.leelikesbikes.com

I’ll admit that I’m always suspicious when it comes to training programs, but I feel that MTB Strength Training IS the reason I felt so good. My first race is in two weeks, and I am stoked and ready to go! I’ll let you know the results of it. Thanks for everything.”

Dave Scott

I placed 5th with a time of 24.35 min on my mountain. bike. All the roadies were pretty shocked. This is just one of the things I’ve noticed. I’m also about 2 minutes faster in all of my timed rides on both the road and the mountain bike.

Riding wise, I feel different. I feel like I’m able to transfer power more easily instead of just letting one muscle group get tired and then fading out. Thanks again…”

Jason Shueh

With out a doubt, I have noticed the improvement on the trail.  Climbing is ALOT easier and I have so much more reserve energy on steep climbs..  I’ve also really noticed the increase in my mobility on the bike, and incredibly, I’m not sore like I used to be after long rides.

I’ve been talking up your program to everyone.  It’s really been so beneficial, I can’t say enough great things about it!  I can only imagine that these results will become more pronounced as I progress though the rest of the program.  Thanks so much!”

Jeff Ladue

Plus, I’m really liking that it feels like every exercise is directly connected to my riding performance, so I stay motivated to keep with it. Thanks for putting the programs together, I’m thinking about moving up to a more advanced one at the end of the 12 weeks and the results are all in.”

J.W. Koebel

I’ve been working as a personal trainer for the last four years and so the building blocks of core strength, body control, nutrition, rest,etc. are not new to me. However, I must say that your presentation is that of simplicity and effective combination. I read through the manual and many times found myself giving you a “high five” because some of your approaches while counter cultural, have proved to be try in my life and experiences as well.

Every aspect of the program has been beneficial for me.  From the tumbling exercises to mobility moves…I’ve been challenged and improved in ways that make a huge difference when I’m riding. I’ve been riding for only 6 months competitively and I can’t tell you the difference I’ve seen in the last two months.

I’m living in Turkey and so there are not a lot of other women MTB cyclists so I generally train with guys who’ve been racing for years (which is a very beneficial aspect of my training because they are all better than I am and therefore I push myself that much harder, after all I am very competitive).  They have all commented as well that everything about my riding is improving – ability to turn, jump, handle rough terrain, higher cadence, better falls (more controlled), stamina.

And even if I were not receiving encouragement from others I can tell a huge difference in my riding. I credit a great deal of this to your program.  And I will again affirm that all I’ve learned, experienced and observed in the real world with my clients (not just theoretically from books or case studies) I feel is consistent with what you present.  I really respect that and hope that many people learn about your program.

I have shared it with my friends here but most of them do not know enough English for it to be beneficial so I generally translate it and just share as we’re training.  I hope you know I’m not trying to fluff up my experience, only telling it like I’ve experienced it. Racing season starts here in March and I’m stoked about the opportunity to gain new experiences on the trails! “

Erica Fendley