Cycling

[adpreston1988]

I'm trying to lose a few pounds (5-10) and stay in shape over the summer. Will cycling everyday about 5-10 miles help me reach my goal? Is cycling better than jogging?? I rode my bike last night in 90 degree weather and as I reached the top of this steep and long hill I almost threw up.

 

[Teflon_Mcgee]

Any activity will help.
Is cycling better than jogging? Cycling does nothing to increase bone density. Other than that the benifits are pretty much the same.

Why not mix it up? And throw in some weight training.
Overall, weight training is the absolute best way to lose fat. Plus it helps keep it off (increases metabolic rate) and makes your body look better.

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

I say search the forum for Diesel's Cutting Guide. And by the way, riding a bike effectively burns way more fat than weightlifting. I'd like to see a weightlifter burn close to a 1000 calories an hour. Don't get me wrong, weight training is good but it's not aerobic.

By the way, an average cyclist who is active can ride 10 miles in less than 45 minutes. If you want to use cycling as a catalyst work or riding at least for an with some intensity hour to 90 minutes three or four times a week to start. If you are consistent, you will see improvements after your second week.

 

[Teflon_Mcgee]

"I say search the forum for Diesel's Cutting Guide. And by the way, riding a bike effectively burns way more fat than weightlifting. I'd like to see a weightlifter burn close to a 1000 calories an hour. Don't get me wrong, weight training is good but it's not aerobic. "

Right and wrong. unless you are doing very intense sprints (and even then it still won't compare) your metabolic rate will drop back to normal levels within hours. Not to mention if you're riding for an hour at an intense level you are going to start burning protien for energy meaning you will go into a catabolic state and LOSE mucsle mass.

Weight training at normal levels will burn less calories during the actual activity than an intense run or cycle session. But your metabolic rate will be in overdrive for upwards of 48 hours. Meaning you will burn more calories with resistance training. Also every ounce of muscle you add requires additional calories to live. IRRC 1 pound of muscle requires around 50 calories per day. OTH, 1 pound of fat requires 1-2 calories per day. If you add 5 pounds of muscle your body will burn about a 3 pounds per month without you doing anything.

Also doing heavy compound excercises (squats, dead lifts, etc) will release HGH wich will help obliterate fat.

Bottom line is, you cannot beat resistance training to lose weight and look good. That being said, cardio an aerobic excercises should still be a good part of any routine.

 

[BMX]

Cycling is the sh**, can't wait to replace my front wheel and ride again.

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

"I say search the forum for Diesel's Cutting Guide. And by the way, riding a bike effectively burns way more fat than weightlifting. I'd like to see a weightlifter burn close to a 1000 calories an hour. Don't get me wrong, weight training is good but it's not aerobic. "

Right and wrong. unless you are doing very intense sprints (and even then it still won't compare) your metabolic rate will drop back to normal levels within hours. Not to mention if you're riding for an hour at an intense level you are going to start burning protien for energy meaning you will go into a catabolic state and LOSE mucsle mass.....

Not true. You don't need to do sprints to keep up your metabolic rate. Cycling unlike weightlifting, you can work just shy of your anaerobic threshold for a sustained amount of time. You will naturally start tapping into your fat stores for energy and increase your metabolic rate.

Another advantage is that sustaining your workout at just below your anaerobic threshold, you increase your lactate threshold without the prolonged pains (muscle burn) that you get from weight lifting. This allows you to more easily work out on consecutive days while feeling fresh and even stronger in a short amount of time.

Now for an even more intense workout, toss in single track mountain biking. It works your muscles, heart, balance and endurance. Riding 10+ miles on a technical track could take someone two or even three hours of intense exercise. Bmxcetera, you ride a MTB don't you?

 

[BMX]

Hey Francisco, I ride MTB sometimes, my brother is a hardcore MTB rider, he just bought a Kona Stinky. I started riding road a few weeks ago, I bought a Performance brand road frame used, so far it's been very fun.

 

[Potbelly]

my balls hurt when I ride my bike. anyways, I'd say go with weightlifting and get an elliptical. I can ride my bike for a while until my balls hurt and then some more until i actually get tired. however, the elliptical kicks my ass pretty fast and when i just started couldn't do more than 5-10 minutes at a time.

still, like someone said, any activity is good. biking is also low impact on your knees.

 

[check_mate_kid_uk]

Any activity will help.
Is cycling better than jogging? Cycling does nothing to increase bone density.

Offroad cycling can increase it a lot, with out the unwanted effects of jogging (Impact injuries to your joints) cycleing 5-10 miles every day will help a lot, just make sure its closer to 10 miles then 5 miles. 5 Miles is not much, and make sure the intensity is high, ie pedal hard!

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Hey Francisco, I ride MTB sometimes, my brother is a hardcore MTB rider, he just bought a Kona Stinky. I started riding road a few weeks ago, I bought a Performance brand road frame used, so far it's been very fun.

Rock on! :rockon:

I primarily ride roadbikes but I have my moments on mountainbikes too. Hang out at Bicycling.com if you want to get some quick and easy tips.

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

my balls hurt when I ride my bike. anyways, I'd say go with weightlifting and get an elliptical. I can ride my bike for a while until my balls hurt and then some more until i actually get tired. however, the elliptical kicks my ass pretty fast and when i just started couldn't do more than 5-10 minutes at a time.

still, like someone said, any activity is good. biking is also low impact on your knees.

Dude, whether or not if you're on a bike, STOP SITTING ON YOUR NUTZ!!! I suggest going to your local bike shop and get a fitting. Most people who have regular bicycle pain don't have their bikes properly set up for their body type.

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Offroad cycling can increase it a lot, with out the unwanted effects of jogging (Impact injuries to your joints) cycleing 5-10 miles every day will help a lot, just make sure its closer to 10 miles then 5 miles. 5 Miles is not much, and make sure the intensity is high, ie pedal hard!

Personally I think that you should ride at least 15 miles at a shot to get the any results. Even if you can only ride every other day you will notice an improvement after a couple of weeks.

 

[check_mate_kid_uk]

Personally I think that you should ride at least 15 miles at a shot to get the any results. Even if you can only ride every other day you will notice an improvement after a couple of weeks.

Well my shortest ride is 14 miles and that is interval training. Ussualy i do 30 miles, when i have got in to real good shape 60 miles, keep in mind that 60 miles offroad is hard!

Haveing said that, it does not mean cycling less will not help you. He plans to do it veery day so it all adds up, i dont cycle every day. Though i guess oyu do miss osme of the benifits of long distance such as the spiked motabilism and the fact it increases your fitness hugely as to increase fitness a lot you need to do both long distance and sprints.

 

[Teflon_Mcgee]

"Offroad cycling can increase it a lot, with out the unwanted effects of jogging (Impact injuries to your joints) cycleing 5-10 miles every day will help a lot, just make sure its closer to 10 miles then 5 miles. 5 Miles is not much, and make sure the intensity is high, ie pedal hard!"

How does offroad cyclying increase bone density? The whole reason running increases bone density is because it is high impact. Is off-road cycling really high impact. I'm seriously asking as I on't know anything about it.

Francisco, you're missing what I'm saying. I agree with you that cycling burns a lot of calories. But what I'm saying is that once you stop cycling you stop burning (excess) calories in a short period of time. The reason probably (they are not sure exactly why but have theories) being that you don't cross your anareobic threshhold. One theory is that the amount of damage you do to your muscles when you lift requires an increased expenditure of energy to repair the damage.

This is why doing sprints or intense rides may boost your metabolism longer. Interval training in any aerobic activity will do this precisely because it does become anaerobic repeatedly. However, you still do not acheive the muscular breakdown on the same level as weightlifting, nor do you produce any (significant?) HGH.

BTW, last year training for the Malibu and Superfrog triathalons I was biking 100+ miles per week. So it's not like I'm against biking.

 

[check_mate_kid_uk]

"Offroad cycling can increase it a lot, with out the unwanted effects of jogging (Impact injuries to your joints) cycleing 5-10 miles every day will help a lot, just make sure its closer to 10 miles then 5 miles. 5 Miles is not much, and make sure the intensity is high, ie pedal hard!"

How does offroad cyclying increase bone density? The whole reason running increases bone density is because it is high impact. Is off-road cycling really high impact. I'm seriously asking as I on't know anything about it.

It depends on how 'offroad' it is, ig its just going on a grass feild then no but some of the stuff i have been on is extremly high impact, especialy the cross country tracks.

The first i heard of increasing bone density i think was in a cycling magazine and as far as i can remember they said it can increase by up to 50% with in 2 years

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Francisco, you're missing what I'm saying. I agree with you that cycling burns a lot of calories. But what I'm saying is that once you stop cycling you stop burning (excess) calories in a short period of time. The reason probably (they are not sure exactly why but have theories) being that you don't cross your anareobic threshhold. One theory is that the amount of damage you do to your muscles when you lift requires an increased expenditure of energy to repair the damage.

Hmmm, so how come I can weigh my self after a ride and wake up the next morning weighing even less? I sure as hell ain't riding while I'm sleeping.

 

[SELF-MASTERY]

I want to get into cycle because I hate spending all of my time locked in the gym. My plan is to only lift twice/ week and to swim for an hour every morning and to cycle 12 miles every evening. I just need to buy a bike.

What can I get for $500 (road bike)

Do you guys fear impotence from sitting on your perineal nerves???

 

[SELF-MASTERY]

I'm thinking about something like this:

http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_brava.html

or maybe buying an older frame and depending on how serious I get I might just add better components...

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

I'm thinking about something like this:

http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_brava.html

or maybe buying an older frame and depending on how serious I get I might just add better components...

Bianchi makes good bikes but if you're new to cycling I suggest going to your local bike shop and talk with them. I'd buy something that they feel comfortable doing maintenance work on. Also make sure that they give you a bike fit and make the necessary adjustments to the bike for free. You should also get free tune ups for the first year.

 

[Road Demon]

Dehydration is the weight difference you see overnight.

Go ride in the heat, you will lose 5 lbs, just due to fluid loss.

Trek 1000 or Trek 1200 is 500 range, although the 1200 is quite a bit better in terms of components