Cycling Camp San Diego

Coaching Rates | Training Philosophy | Written Materials

Robert Panzera, Owner & Operator

Education

• BA, Purdue University
• MA Kinesiology, San Diego State University

Certification

• USA Cycling Certified Coach—Level 2
• NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

• Category 3 Elite Cyclist Road
• Category 3 Elite Cyclist Track
• Category 3 Elite Cyclist Cyclocross

• American Red Cross Adult CPR/AED
• American Red Cross Standard First Aid
• Coach for San Diego Cyclo-Vets

Biography

I have always been athletic, whether swimming, running, skiing, or playing basketball competitively and always had in interest in general health and well-being through exercise. During college, my athletics tapered off due to schooling and other interests. After college, I began weight-lifting regularly and watching my nutrition to get in better general health. This blossomed into a part-time athletic commitment.

I realized that with a little bit of knowledge—I am an avid reader—and some spare time each day, it was generally very easy to get in great shape; indeed, better shape than most health guidelines suggest. The key, I discovered, was time management and having long-term realizable goals. When weight-lifting was not enough to keep my interest, I returned to endurance sports with a much more streamlined approach.

At first, I participated in running events such as 5Ks and 10Ks. Eventually, I started cycling to build on my cardiovascular training. I found I was in the best shape of my life. As cycling became more and more of interest to me, I participated in one-day charity rides, like the Multiple Sclerosis Society New York City Tour. This led to my participation in multi-day charity events like the AIDS Ride from Raleigh, North Carolina to Washington, DC. Finally, it all culminated in my taking part in the multi-month American Lung Association Ride Across America. Now, I was not only weight-lifting, but I was specifically weight-training and cross-training to be a better cyclist. More doors were opening, and my interest was further peaked.

After finishing my ride across America, I took the next step by not only entering running events but also cycling events. My first foray was a combined running and cycling event—a duathlon. After that, I knew that cycling had replaced running as my focus; I not only loved to ride bicycles, but also to race bicycles, and I began to train on the bike voraciously, along with a continued weight-training program.

I joined a cycling team and for the last seven years have been training and constantly learning how to improve all aspects of my fitness to be a better racer—i.e., weight lifting, stretching, stationary training, plyometrics, nutrition, etc. Most importantly, I was able to acquire good solid coaching. First, I was graciously coached by Bob Kaplan of Westwood Velo in New Jersey. Bob gave me a solid foundation in how to train properly through structure and periodization. Bob was (and is) a great sounding board, because he has great years of experience and he is extremely well read. Read Bob's blog.

During this period, I was also coached on the importance and nuances of training with power—specifically an SRM Powermeter. Currently, I train using a PowerTap.

Most recently, I have worked with Arnie Baker, MD, (arniebakercycling.com) one of the premiere coaches in the world. Arnie's vast array of knowledge, written materials, and vast palmares speak for themselves. I feel very lucky to live near Arnie and be a part of Cyclo-Vets cycling club (cyclo-vets.org), of which he is head coach.

This history has given me a versatile array of tools to help individuals achieve improved general health and athletic success. I have been through many stages of fitness and understand what it takes to be accomplished at each stage.

More of my training philosophy and techniques can be explored in my current book from renowned publisher Human Kinetics, Cycling Fast: Winning Essentials for Cycling Competition. Order my book here:

Interests

I am an avid reader of many subjects, both fiction and nonfiction. Below are some subjects I read about on a daily basis concerning physical activity.

• Bicycle racing - road, track, cyclocross
• Bicycle events - one-day or multi-day rides
• Running - competitive, exercise, general health, weight management
• Weight Training - general health, sport-specific
• Skiing - downhill for fun, competition
• Nutrition - weight management, sports performance enhancement
• Sports Psychology