Core Training for Winter

+1 for Pilates.  

There is always Yoga, too, which is my preference, but they both have huge benefits for core strength.  Not all yoga is the same, though.  IMHO, Iyenga, which is about precision and holding the pose longer, is excellent.  You don't have to be very flexible as it also utilises props.

Find yourself a local pilates class and repeat the session at will. If you're new to it you might be surprised at how tough it can be. My instructor regularly finds everyone's "break point" with her mantra of "pilates doesn't get harder, it just gets better"! It helps with core/back strength/flexibility, so it's perfect for improving cycling performance and yes, it often includes planks and press ups, just not in that sort of quantity ! You will notice the difference within a couple of weeks and you can always have a stronger core.

But seriously.... 100 press ups? 

By the end of the winter I'll probably get up to 36 decent press ups completed in 3x sets of 12 as part of a wider core strength routine. 

I could not visualise ever being able to do 100! So, basically well done, I'm quite envious.

back on thread topic, 100 press ups are not in themselves necessary for peak cycling performance. As touched on, I can barely do 36, but actually, I have a pretty solid core. 

Core strength itself is fundamental to cycling performance however and is one of the biggest weaknesses I see in young riders coming through. Doing core strength work will definitely help your cycling, but its far more fun, and effective to bring in other activities into your life to achieve this. 

I was lucky, my adolescence was spent riding bikes, horses, trampolining (badly), playing tennis all of which helped me build a solid core... this is a lot easier to maintain than starting afresh. 

So my, 'do as I say not as I do', advice would be to find an additional activity that supports your core development but also provides a bit of fun. 

Ha ha ha...100 press ups... you do know you are talking to cyclists right?

Squats 3x15 reps start with body only until technique is learnt. Press ups 10x10 reps. Plank 2 mins or more. Ab roller 1x5 or more for ultimate core work out

The Plank?

Or take a look at the road.cc Yoga for Cyclists series - http://road.cc/content/news/181616-yoga-cyclists-part-1-introduction