Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More - View Single Post

01-13-2005, 04:36 AM

Maggie wrote:
:: With the weather in NJ, it is very difficult to get any riding time
:: in as I've written repeatedly. I have been going to the gym at least
:: three times a week in preparation for my 25 mile ride in May. Last
:: week my trainer decided that I should use weights. I was told that
:: the spin class would help with both cardio and leg muscle strength,
:: but I need upper body strength as well to eventually be in shape to
:: ride long distance. I started out with riding a bike for fun, ended
:: up in a gym taking spin classes and now I am on weight training
:: equipment working all the muscles in my body. When I arrived home
:: last night I started to wonder how buying a bike could lead to all
:: of this. My only goal was to buy a bike and ride for fun. I am now
:: spending more time at the gym and working on muscle toning. Some of
:: the machines look like torture devices. Is upper body strength
:: really that necessary for riding a bicycle? Or is my trainer trying
:: to convince me that I should get in shape and not just ride a bike.
:: She is a crazy person (as all trainers in my opinion) and she takes
:: pride in helping people strengthen, tone, look and feel better. Did
:: she use my goal of riding 25 miles to convince me to use the weights
:: or is it essential that I do? What does upper body strength have to
:: do with riding a bike? Call me stupid, but I really don't think it
:: is that necessary. How much work are my arms doing when I ride a
:: bike. I want an answer to that. My trainer just tells me, its
:: important...end of discussion. So do you know? I am working my buns
:: off at that gym to ride in a 25 mile charity fun ride.

You need to pull against the handlebars as you climb hills. Upper body.
Your neck can get tired when you ride long distances, that's upper body.
Your shoulders can get tired, too. Having strong abs helps you generate
power.

Bottom line: keep going to the gym and lifting the weights (and doing the
rest of it). Wait til you start seeing the results.

01-13-2005, 04:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
Roger Zoul Posts: n/a	Re: Spining, Spining, Spining Maggie wrote: :: With the weather in NJ, it is very difficult to get any riding time :: in as I've written repeatedly. I have been going to the gym at least :: three times a week in preparation for my 25 mile ride in May. Last :: week my trainer decided that I should use weights. I was told that :: the spin class would help with both cardio and leg muscle strength, :: but I need upper body strength as well to eventually be in shape to :: ride long distance. I started out with riding a bike for fun, ended :: up in a gym taking spin classes and now I am on weight training :: equipment working all the muscles in my body. When I arrived home :: last night I started to wonder how buying a bike could lead to all :: of this. My only goal was to buy a bike and ride for fun. I am now :: spending more time at the gym and working on muscle toning. Some of :: the machines look like torture devices. Is upper body strength :: really that necessary for riding a bicycle? Or is my trainer trying :: to convince me that I should get in shape and not just ride a bike. :: She is a crazy person (as all trainers in my opinion) and she takes :: pride in helping people strengthen, tone, look and feel better. Did :: she use my goal of riding 25 miles to convince me to use the weights :: or is it essential that I do? What does upper body strength have to :: do with riding a bike? Call me stupid, but I really don't think it :: is that necessary. How much work are my arms doing when I ride a :: bike. I want an answer to that. My trainer just tells me, its :: important...end of discussion. So do you know? I am working my buns :: off at that gym to ride in a 25 mile charity fun ride. You need to pull against the handlebars as you climb hills. Upper body. Your neck can get tired when you ride long distances, that's upper body. Your shoulders can get tired, too. Having strong abs helps you generate power. Bottom line: keep going to the gym and lifting the weights (and doing the rest of it). Wait til you start seeing the results.