Cycling Is A Poor Form of Exercise :-(
#227
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Back 43+ years ago when I was 18 and living in the college dorm, my rooomates and I would sometimes over-indulge (alcohol), but first light the next morning I'd pull my bike frame from under the bed, slap the wheels on and ride... I'd come back three hours /50-miles later as the roomies were finally getting vertical. I felt refreshed, whereas they OTOH, were blurry/fuzzy-headed until mid-afternoon... That may have been just me burning off the alcohol, but I'm not so sure....
Now not only do I ride for the exercise itself, but I feel that doing so at a moderately strenuous pace helps burn off the built-up toxins in the body. You've no-doubt heard of the endorphin-created 'runner's high', but my 'cycling high' seems to last for several days afterwards -- I don't think that is entirely from calorie-burning itself. Even at age 62+ I feel the benefits from a 25+ mile ride at 20-plus mph for days afterwards!
Sadly, around here in Northern Ohio it is getting to 'late 'riding' season' where I need to start thinking of pulling the old-school rollers out... Even an hour or two per week at a crank pace of 90-110 keeps me going through the Lake Dreary Gray Dismals...
Now not only do I ride for the exercise itself, but I feel that doing so at a moderately strenuous pace helps burn off the built-up toxins in the body. You've no-doubt heard of the endorphin-created 'runner's high', but my 'cycling high' seems to last for several days afterwards -- I don't think that is entirely from calorie-burning itself. Even at age 62+ I feel the benefits from a 25+ mile ride at 20-plus mph for days afterwards!
Sadly, around here in Northern Ohio it is getting to 'late 'riding' season' where I need to start thinking of pulling the old-school rollers out... Even an hour or two per week at a crank pace of 90-110 keeps me going through the Lake Dreary Gray Dismals...
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#228
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I don't see much mention of cardio benefit here but I consider it to be the primary "fitness" reason for cycling. Add the fact that cycling is low impact (assuming no unplanned contact with the environment) and the overall fitness benefit increases. Add in some regular weight training for the upper body and you have a decent fitness program.
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I've gone to two local meetups with road cycling clubs. One was a social meet up, and the members seemed far more fit than the average person of their ages (most were older). At the second meet, everyone was ready for a ride in their gear. I was shocked by their appearance. In full lycra kit, they had comically oversized pot bellies, but with skinny noodly arms and legs.
Basically, cycling is just sitting. It is not weight bearing. Your bones become weaker as you sweat away minerals over long miles. Your muscles and bones don't become any stronger because they don't have to bear any weight. As a matter of fact, any additional weight is a liability, so additional muscle mass only penalizes you on climbs.
Even when I was riding many miles a week, I never lost any significant weight. In the past couple of weeks, I've been walking and hiking instead. I've lost more weight in these past couple of weeks than I did when I was riding upwards of 200 miles a week cycling!
Cycling for me is more about fun and recreation rather than "physical fitness." You become fit when you become stronger, and cycling may actually lead to the opposite.
Basically, cycling is just sitting. It is not weight bearing. Your bones become weaker as you sweat away minerals over long miles. Your muscles and bones don't become any stronger because they don't have to bear any weight. As a matter of fact, any additional weight is a liability, so additional muscle mass only penalizes you on climbs.
Even when I was riding many miles a week, I never lost any significant weight. In the past couple of weeks, I've been walking and hiking instead. I've lost more weight in these past couple of weeks than I did when I was riding upwards of 200 miles a week cycling!
Cycling for me is more about fun and recreation rather than "physical fitness." You become fit when you become stronger, and cycling may actually lead to the opposite.
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#231
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No matter how you cut it, cycling just has to be better than setting on the couch eating potato chips.
#232
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Is there a credible reference for these quantitative statistical factoids and analysis that explains the relationship between "regular cycling" and these alleged reductions?
BTW - reduction from what basis? How were these fantastic "reductions" measured?
BTW#2 - What is your definition of "premature death?"
BTW - reduction from what basis? How were these fantastic "reductions" measured?
BTW#2 - What is your definition of "premature death?"
There are additional studies available too if you are curious.
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#233
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Cycling is a Poor Form of Exercise
#234
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Which confirms that, as many of us already knew, workouts that involve the "core" are unnecessary for cyclists.
#235
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Unless you have not been to the Netherlands I would think those claims would be self evident. But here is a documented study for you to pick apart. https://www.researchgate.net/publica...nomic_Benefits
There are additional studies available too if you are curious.
There are additional studies available too if you are curious.
40% reduction in cancer risk.
52% reduction in heart disease
40% reduction in premature death
52% reduction in heart disease
40% reduction in premature death
I've been to NL numerous times and never once did I find it self evident that any of the people I saw either had or did not have cancer or heart disease. Nor could I observe if the many bicyclists I saw would ever get heart disease or cancer. Nor could I observe that the people who were not bicycling were more or less likely to have or ever get heart disease or cancer. I also did not observe obviously infirm or sickly people riding bicycles in either Europe or the U.S. It would seem evident that people who appear healthy are more likely to be seen bicycling than those who appear sickly or appear to be obviously unhealthy.
#236
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I-Like you are quite correct. I have now read four studies from different sources in the Netherlands and one from the NIH, claiming a 1/2 year increase in life expectancy related to cycling.. I cede to your expertise.
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Why not provide an answer to the question - Where is there any credible reference to the previously posted numbers (https://www.bikeforums.net/21718927-post224.html) of 40% reduction in cancer risk and 52% reduction in heart disease and that these alleged fantastic reductions are related to cycling?
Cycling is a good physical exercise, physical exercise is known to be good for health, but don't fool yourself that bicycling by itself has been proven to have magical powers to reduce heart disease or prevent cancer in NL or anywhere else.
Last edited by I-Like-To-Bike; 10-03-20 at 12:09 PM. Reason: Rsbob was not the first poster making the claim about heart disease and cancer reduction
#239
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Cycling is no more poor than any single facet of life examined in isolation. Fitness is formed of eating habits, cardio, flexibility and strength training. Consistency is way more significant than which mode you choose for any category, but all categories are necessary for well rounded health.
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Cycling is no more poor than any single facet of life examined in isolation. Fitness is formed of eating habits, cardio, flexibility and strength training. Consistency is way more significant than which mode you choose for any category, but all categories are necessary for well rounded health.
#241
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Has OP ever come back, or was this a drive-by post?
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jerseys for non-skinny arms?
It does seem jersey manufacturers assume cyclists have skinny arms. I do some resistance training and I can barely fit my arms in the sleeves of some brands. I have to wear xxl or xxxl which results in my arms fitting but the midsection of the ballooning. Do any brands tend size for non-skinny arms and broad shoulders?
#245
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Lost 15 lbs this year taking cycling up again in earnest. Resting pulse rate is down and better bp. Now all my pants and shorts are loose.
Hiked my butt off last year doing day trips, usually 8 miles and 3000’ climbing, and mountain biked about 1-2 hours every couple of days and didn’t lose any weight.
Yeah road biking is lousy for fitness.
Hiked my butt off last year doing day trips, usually 8 miles and 3000’ climbing, and mountain biked about 1-2 hours every couple of days and didn’t lose any weight.
Yeah road biking is lousy for fitness.
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#246
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Lost 15 lbs this year taking cycling up again in earnest. Resting pulse rate is down and better bp. Now all my pants and shorts are loose.
Hiked my butt off last year doing day trips, usually 8 miles and 3000’ climbing, and mountain biked about 1-2 hours every couple of days and didn’t lose any weight.
Yeah road biking is lousy for fitness.
Hiked my butt off last year doing day trips, usually 8 miles and 3000’ climbing, and mountain biked about 1-2 hours every couple of days and didn’t lose any weight.
Yeah road biking is lousy for fitness.
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#247
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All the recent posts about trolls are deleted. This is a long thread but giving members a chance to post anything new or meaningful on the subject.
#248
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Have to say, this thread got me thinking about whether I could make my riding a bit more weight bearing though I was already riding SS.
So I switched both bikes to touring bars that are high enough to allow me to stand fully upright over the pedals and reach the bars. So I can stand comfortably for large parts of my rides, especially the hilly sections, where I can stand up while both climbing and descending if I’m in the mood to.
I can still use the forward bends for harder seated riding. It’s really a lot of fun and has improved saddle comfort so much that I’ve also been able to seriously extend ride mileage.
I didn’t see that coming but it’s been a lot of fun. Riding the MTB as a SS with those bars feels about like riding a kid’s bike that fits me now and that is a lot of fun! 👍
Otto
So I switched both bikes to touring bars that are high enough to allow me to stand fully upright over the pedals and reach the bars. So I can stand comfortably for large parts of my rides, especially the hilly sections, where I can stand up while both climbing and descending if I’m in the mood to.
I can still use the forward bends for harder seated riding. It’s really a lot of fun and has improved saddle comfort so much that I’ve also been able to seriously extend ride mileage.
I didn’t see that coming but it’s been a lot of fun. Riding the MTB as a SS with those bars feels about like riding a kid’s bike that fits me now and that is a lot of fun! 👍
Otto
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Saying cycling is a poor form of exercise is a silly statement.
Any exercise imparts "certain" pysical benefits.
Cycling is a great cardio vascular exercise.
Weight bearing exercises are great for strengthening and toning muscle groups.
For overall fitness you should consider supplementing cycling with weight training.
Any exercise imparts "certain" pysical benefits.
Cycling is a great cardio vascular exercise.
Weight bearing exercises are great for strengthening and toning muscle groups.
For overall fitness you should consider supplementing cycling with weight training.
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#250
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Saying cycling is a poor form of exercise is a silly statement.
Any exercise imparts "certain" pysical benefits.
Cycling is a great cardio vascular exercise.
Weight bearing exercises are great for strengthening and toning muscle groups.
For overall fitness you should consider supplementing cycling with weight training.
Any exercise imparts "certain" pysical benefits.
Cycling is a great cardio vascular exercise.
Weight bearing exercises are great for strengthening and toning muscle groups.
For overall fitness you should consider supplementing cycling with weight training.
Otto