Why Upgrading Your Body Beats Upgrading Your Bike (Every Time)

Introduction: Stop Chasing Marginal Gains—Focus on What Really Matters

We’ve all been there: scrolling through the latest cycling gear reviews, eyeing that new carbon frame, aero helmet, or those super-light wheels that promise to shave seconds off your time.

But here’s the cold, hard truth:

Gear upgrades deliver marginal gains—improving your body delivers exponential ones.

If you’re serious about cycling performance, there’s a better investment than the latest tech. It’s not your bike—it’s you.

In this article, I’ll break down why focusing on improving your watts per kilogram (W/kg) will leave even the most expensive gear upgrades in the dust—and how my Leaner Cyclist Program helps you do just that.

The Myth of Marginal Gains: What the Bike Industry Doesn’t Tell You

The cycling world is obsessed with marginal gains—tiny improvements that can give competitive cyclists a slight edge. This includes upgrades like:

• Aero wheels
• Lightweight frames
• Expensive skinsuits
• Ceramic bearings

Sure, these tweaks might shave off a few seconds over long distances—but at what cost?

• Thousands of dollars spent for minimal returns
• Diminishing returns as each upgrade brings smaller improvements
• Zero impact on your fitness, endurance, or strength

These upgrades might make sense if you’re a pro cyclist competing for milliseconds.

But if your goal is to climb faster, ride longer, and lose weight, there’s a smarter investment:

Improving your body’s performance.

Why Watts Per Kilogram (W/kg) Is the Real Game-Changer

Cycling isn’t just about raw power—it’s about power-to-weight ratio.

Watts per kilogram (W/kg) measures how much power you produce relative to your body weight. It’s the most important metric for performance, especially when climbing or accelerating.

Here’s why improving your W/kg beats upgrading your gear:

• Climb faster without spending thousands on lighter wheels
• Boost speed and endurance through better body composition
• Enhance overall fitness while increasing fat loss and preserving muscle

Let’s break it down with an example:

• A cyclist weighing 80kg with a 300W FTP (Functional Threshold Power) has a W/kg of 3.75.
• Drop just 5kg without losing power, and that ratio jumps to 4.1 W/kg—a game-changer for climbing and endurance.

You’ll go faster, climb better, and ride more efficiently—without spending a single dollar on new gear.

Why Most Cyclists Focus on the Wrong Metrics

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new equipment. After all, a shiny new bike looks good and feels fast. Don’t get me wrong. I love the gear, but I’m also realistic about the performance gains I’ll get from it.

However, focusing on equipment before improving your body creates a false sense of progress.

Here’s what actually happens:

• You invest thousands in new gear
• You gain a small performance boost—if any
• You still struggle on climbs and wonder why the weight isn’t coming off

The problem? You’re focusing on external factors instead of what matters most—your body’s efficiency.

The Real Secret to Faster, Leaner Cycling: Train Smarter, Lose Fat

The fastest way to improve your performance isn’t with an equipment upgrade—it’s by becoming a leaner, stronger cyclist through targeted training and nutrition.

That’s exactly what we focus on in the Leaner Cyclist Program:

Fat-Max Training:
We help you train in the zone where your body burns the highest percentage of fat for fuel—boosting fat loss while improving endurance.

Cycling-Specific Nutrition:
Forget one-size-fits-all diets. We tailor your nutrition plan to your body’s needs and riding schedule.

Mindset Mastery:
Using the science of neuroplasticity, we help you develop the habits and mental focus to stay consistent—even when motivation dips.

Strength Training for Cyclists:
Build lean muscle to increase your power output—without adding unnecessary bulk.

Real Results: Why My Clients Are Faster (Without New Gear)

Just listen to Roger Pash:

“I spent years upgrading my bike, but the real difference came when I lost a few kilos and boosted my power. My climb times improved faster than any gear ever did.”

Or Leeten Chin:

“I lost 8kg in 8 weeks with a strategy built for me. Every climb felt easier—no gear upgrades needed.”

Ready to Invest in Real Gains? Here’s How to Get Started

You don’t need to spend thousands on gear to see massive improvements.

You need a plan that focuses on the one factor you can fully control: your body.

Let’s build that plan together.

Book your free call here, and we’ll map out your personalised strategy for boosting your power-to-weight ratio, losing fat, and improving your performance.

If you’re serious about getting faster on the bike—this is where it starts.

Final Thoughts: Gear Doesn’t Win Races—You Do

Upgrading your bike might feel good, but if you’re ignoring your body’s potential, you’re leaving the biggest gains on the table.

With the Leaner Cyclist Program, I’ll help you:

• Burn fat efficiently
• Boost power-to-weight ratio
• Improve endurance and speed

Forget the expensive upgrades—become your own best upgrade.

Want to learn how you can finally lose weight, keep it off and stop getting dropped on climbs without having to sacrifice your favourite foods and starve yourself on some crazy calorie-restricting diet …even if they’ve failed in the past or struggled to improve your cycling performance. Click here to watch this free, on-demand online training.

Click here to book your free coaching call and let’s create a personalised plan that works for you.