| Re: Spining, Spining, Spining
Roger Zoul wrote:
> 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.
My trainer said the same thing last night....."Wait til you start
seeing results....you will be happy." She said she is going to make me
a "hot" woman. She said this in front of my 26 year old daughter who
thinks I am going there so I do not get a heart attack and die. I don't
think my daughter wants to think of her mother as "hot". I know I
never thought of my mother in that way. But Moms in the 50's and early
60's wore aprons and stayed home alot. If I put an apron on, my kids
would fall over in a dead faint. I will try all this muscle toning
madness and see where it leads. Can't hurt I guess. Well maybe it can.
;-) Maybe the upper body strength will help.
Maggie
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