01-15-2005, 05:57 AM
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#40 (permalink)
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| Guest | Re: Leg muscle/heart rate question?
I am 35 going on 20. Weigh 169 (weighed 210 last summer!). Lost it quick
with cycling and a low fat diet. I eat great now also (try to stick to the
fruit and veg thing). I am in good shape. I have only some fat that I am
trying to get rid of on the stomach (love handles). I know cycling wont do
this. I do crunches.
"RonSonic" <ronsonic@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message
news 0tfu09l6g10ugct8io31dtmohuopsgr9k@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 03:31:39 GMT, "chris c" <cchris@frontiernet.net>
wrote:
>
> >I am a newbie. Just got into cycling last summer (again) but did it when
I
> >was younger (10 yrs. ago). I am trying to do at least 10 miles per day
now.
> >I did more during the summer sometimes. Schedules are so hectic of
course. I
> >ususally use a stationary cause of the crappy weather. I am riding a
> >comfort bike but would like to get a racer this spring. I used a
cannondale
> >racer in my younger days when 50 mile rides were nothing. I lost a lot of
> >weight since summer which keeps me very interested and I feel great!
> >My first question is ... how long does it take to get some leg muscle
> >definition? My legs are not muscular, but they are skinny now. I try to
use
> >a harder setting on the bike sometimes. Does this increase muscle faster?
> >Second question..... Can you overdo a workout by getting your heart rate
up
> >too fast (ex: heart attack) ? Sometimes I push myself hard , I think
almost
> >to the limit. I never get faint , but I think I get borderline dizzy
> >sometimes.
>
> How long's a string and can it be too long?
>
> Just how old are ya and what kinda shape are you in?
>
> Not that I could give you any specifics anyway, but it's good to know
whether
> we're talking about a 40yo in crappy shape or a 55yo in pretty good shape.
>
> At 49 and recovering from many years off the bike there are a few things I
can
> tell you. First your recovery will suck compared to years ago. I can get
great
> benefits from 2 intense rides a week, much more than that just makes me
sore
> without any resulting strength or speed payoff. Might as well just whack
my legs
> with a stick for all the good it does. At least not more than two weeks in
a
> row.
>
> And it is intensity that you need to increase muscularity and strength.
Making
> circles with your feet, fast or slow will not do it. There's cycling
training
> tips and advice all over the internet, some of it actually makes sense and
> works. Google.
>
> When I first started back on the bike last year I had recently quit
smoking
> (again) and the game was having my cardio and legs take turns being the
weaker
> link. At one point I got into good enough shape that I needed more leg to
work
> the CP system hard enough to really feel it. I'm riding 4-5 times a week
and 2
> of those are usually some sort of high intensity work like sprints or
intervals.
> I'll only do one day of intensity if I do something otherwise draining
that week
> like an extremely long ride. Or three days of intense work if I know I
won't be
> pushing it the next week. I think that's probably the sort of thing
you're
> ready for, get in some strength and speed work.
>
> As for heart attack risks, hell if I know. My guess is that if you've been
> pedaling hard enough to max out the heart rate and start losing composure
> without dying by now you're probably okay. I do suggest that you keep that
sort
> of thing on the trainer until your bike handling skills are back to
expert.
> That's how people get hurt, out riding their brain's oxygen supply.
>
> You know the standard warning "Do not begin this or any other exercise
program
> without the advice of a physician." Well I figure I didn't ask a doctor
before
> taking up chain smoking and a sedentary lifestyle, I don't figure I need
his
> permission to get back in shape. If I'm going to keel over from a heart
attack
> rather it be after a ride I enjoyed than a cardio stress test that I had
to pay
> money for.
>
> Ron
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