| Re: Resistance vs speed (repost)
frank-in-toronto wrote:
> Reposting to include the bike newsgroup. I made a boo-boo
> the first time.
> ...thehick
> On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 22:14:26 -0500, Bernie Cosell
> <bernie@fantasyfarm.com> wrote:
>
> >I exercise with an elliptical trainer and one thing I've never
understood
> >is the tradeoff between resistance and speed. Assuming that I work
out for
> >however-long with my pulse in the correct "zone", I'm never sure
whether it
> >makes a difference [and what difference it makes] if I get to that
zone by
> >working against a higher resistance [and so moving more slowly] or
working
> >against a lower resistance [and so moving more quickly]. Is there
some
> >rule of thumb or whatever for this sort of thing? thanks!
> ok. Here's something to think about. I read this is reference
> to biking, but you can figure it out for the elliptical.
>
> When biking in a big gear, your legs will get tired out quickly.
> So you lower the gear. This moves the effort to your lungs.
> Now, say you're in too low a gear (spinning too fast), your
> legs will be laughing, but you'll run out of breath.
>
> So, generally, when just biking for fun, you'll select a gear to
> utilize all of your body. Not too high. Not too low.
>
> I hope someone else can explain this better than me
> because I realize this explanation sounds silly. But it
> made sense when I read it somewhere.
>
> One thing you need to figure out is your goal in "exercising"
> on an elliptical. This is not so easy as most think. If you
> know something you'll probably say "cardio-vascular".
> OK. Then think about what muscles you want to improve.
> Your legs? Move your feet close to the front of the pedals
> and stand erect. Your butt? Feet close, lean back.
> Your arms and back? Use more arm pull/push, less
> leg involvement. Everywhere? Change around through
> the session.
>
> Realize that time is your friend. Endurance doesn't come from
> doing something hard for a short period of time. You earn it.
> With time. and a relatively low level of effort. Not crazy hard.
> Think LongSlowDistance.
>
> If you are one of those that exercise to "burn off calories",
> good luck. I try to view it the from the other side. You
> exercise to improve a bunch of stuff, you eat better
> to stay healthy and feel good, the calorie burn is just
> a by-product. Free so-to-speak. Allows you to eat
> MORE to workout harder/farther/faster etc...
> ...thehick.
I can do the treadmill, I can ride the bike, but I tried the elliptical
trainer and I thought I was going to die.
Maggie aka Linda
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