Spining, Spining, Spining - Page 3

01-13-2005, 07:56 AM

Maggie wrote:

> 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".

Why is that? My 22 year old daughter thinks of her 50 y.o. mom as hot,
so do some of her 22 y.o. guy friends. I say inspiration as your
daughter gets older herself.

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
>

It is only going to hurt when you bulk up (very, very unlikely) and find
that the increased body mass has slowed you down on a long climb during
one of your CAT 3 races, probably also unlikely.

IMO, it is all one package, and a fit overall body will improve your
cycling for all the reasons others have mentioned. You will look better,
feel better, increase endurance, sleep better, and increase your
enthusiasm for biking and physical exercise in general. If your lifting
time is taking away from quality riding time, perhaps it is an issue,
otherwise, let us know in 8 weeks how you feel about it as your routine
begins to takes affect.

Good Luck.
--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado
remove "mydebt" to reply

01-13-2005, 07:56 AM

Maggie wrote:

> 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".

Why is that? My 22 year old daughter thinks of her 50 y.o. mom as hot,
so do some of her 22 y.o. guy friends. I say inspiration as your
daughter gets older herself.

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
>

It is only going to hurt when you bulk up (very, very unlikely) and find
that the increased body mass has slowed you down on a long climb during
one of your CAT 3 races, probably also unlikely.

IMO, it is all one package, and a fit overall body will improve your
cycling for all the reasons others have mentioned. You will look better,
feel better, increase endurance, sleep better, and increase your
enthusiasm for biking and physical exercise in general. If your lifting
time is taking away from quality riding time, perhaps it is an issue,
otherwise, let us know in 8 weeks how you feel about it as your routine
begins to takes affect.

Good Luck.
--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado
remove "mydebt" to reply

01-13-2005, 08:03 AM

On 13 Jan 2005 04:24:08 -0800, "Maggie" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> 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.

Here's a guy who has an Olympic gold medal to establish how well and fast he can
ride 25 miles http://mitglied.lycos.de/grischafan/tdf02_hamilton5.jpg and
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and
http://www.whileseated.org/photo/img...8/DSCN1893.jpg . And, oh, by the
way, the second picture shows him on his way to fourth place in the Tour de
France with a broken collarbone in 2003.

So you tell me how important upper body strength might be.

Fact is, given reasonable health you could do a 25 mile ride with no preparation
whatever. It'd turn into a bit of a death march by the end, misery and slogging
and suffering. But, you could do it.

OTOH, all of this got you off your butt and working out in a way nothing else
has, didn't it.

You should (we all should) just plain get into shape, and the bike is a part of
that program, in fact it belongs at the center of it for me. Exercise without
targets, objectives, an event or a sport is either too boring or requires far
more self-absorption than I can possibly muster. Just being in shape isn't
enough motivation for me. My humble schedule of local competitions for the
upcoming year is enough. And if I don't get to be the fastest fifty year old in
town oh well, I'll be in pretty damn good shape.

Back to the upper body strength, even Tyler Hamilton would do better with a
little upper body work out. At least he wouldn't get hurt so bad when he
crashes.

Ron

01-13-2005, 08:03 AM

On 13 Jan 2005 04:24:08 -0800, "Maggie" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> 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.

Here's a guy who has an Olympic gold medal to establish how well and fast he can
ride 25 miles http://mitglied.lycos.de/grischafan/tdf02_hamilton5.jpg and
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and
http://www.whileseated.org/photo/img...8/DSCN1893.jpg . And, oh, by the
way, the second picture shows him on his way to fourth place in the Tour de
France with a broken collarbone in 2003.

So you tell me how important upper body strength might be.

Fact is, given reasonable health you could do a 25 mile ride with no preparation
whatever. It'd turn into a bit of a death march by the end, misery and slogging
and suffering. But, you could do it.

OTOH, all of this got you off your butt and working out in a way nothing else
has, didn't it.

You should (we all should) just plain get into shape, and the bike is a part of
that program, in fact it belongs at the center of it for me. Exercise without
targets, objectives, an event or a sport is either too boring or requires far
more self-absorption than I can possibly muster. Just being in shape isn't
enough motivation for me. My humble schedule of local competitions for the
upcoming year is enough. And if I don't get to be the fastest fifty year old in
town oh well, I'll be in pretty damn good shape.

Back to the upper body strength, even Tyler Hamilton would do better with a
little upper body work out. At least he wouldn't get hurt so bad when he
crashes.

Ron

01-13-2005, 08:03 AM

On 13 Jan 2005 04:24:08 -0800, "Maggie" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> 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.

Here's a guy who has an Olympic gold medal to establish how well and fast he can
ride 25 miles http://mitglied.lycos.de/grischafan/tdf02_hamilton5.jpg and
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and
http://www.whileseated.org/photo/img...8/DSCN1893.jpg . And, oh, by the
way, the second picture shows him on his way to fourth place in the Tour de
France with a broken collarbone in 2003.

So you tell me how important upper body strength might be.

Fact is, given reasonable health you could do a 25 mile ride with no preparation
whatever. It'd turn into a bit of a death march by the end, misery and slogging
and suffering. But, you could do it.

OTOH, all of this got you off your butt and working out in a way nothing else
has, didn't it.

You should (we all should) just plain get into shape, and the bike is a part of
that program, in fact it belongs at the center of it for me. Exercise without
targets, objectives, an event or a sport is either too boring or requires far
more self-absorption than I can possibly muster. Just being in shape isn't
enough motivation for me. My humble schedule of local competitions for the
upcoming year is enough. And if I don't get to be the fastest fifty year old in
town oh well, I'll be in pretty damn good shape.

Back to the upper body strength, even Tyler Hamilton would do better with a
little upper body work out. At least he wouldn't get hurt so bad when he
crashes.

Ron

01-13-2005, 08:58 AM

Roger Zoul" <rogerzo...@hotmail.com>
>

>
> Your hubby will love it!

I am married to a jealous Sicilian. Like I need more problems?

> Is your daughter married yet? If not, tell her that the guys she
brings
> home will look at YOU to get a hint and what she'll look like when
she's 50.
>

She will be married in May of 2006. My future son in law adores me.
But I don't think it has anything to do with a "hot" issue. I'm just
naturally charming. ;-)

01-13-2005, 08:58 AM

Roger Zoul" <rogerzo...@hotmail.com>
>

>
> Your hubby will love it!

I am married to a jealous Sicilian. Like I need more problems?

> Is your daughter married yet? If not, tell her that the guys she
brings
> home will look at YOU to get a hint and what she'll look like when
she's 50.
>

She will be married in May of 2006. My future son in law adores me.
But I don't think it has anything to do with a "hot" issue. I'm just
naturally charming. ;-)

01-13-2005, 08:58 AM

Roger Zoul" <rogerzo...@hotmail.com>
>

>
> Your hubby will love it!

I am married to a jealous Sicilian. Like I need more problems?

> Is your daughter married yet? If not, tell her that the guys she
brings
> home will look at YOU to get a hint and what she'll look like when
she's 50.
>

She will be married in May of 2006. My future son in law adores me.
But I don't think it has anything to do with a "hot" issue. I'm just
naturally charming. ;-)

01-13-2005, 09:03 AM

RonSonic wrote:
> On 13 Jan 2005 04:24:08 -0800, "Maggie" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
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.
>
>
> Here's a guy who has an Olympic gold medal to establish how well and
fast he can
> ride 25 miles http://mitglied.lycos.de/grischafan/tdf02_hamilton5.jpg
and
>
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
and
> http://www.whileseated.org/photo/img...8/DSCN1893.jpg . And,
oh, by the
> way, the second picture shows him on his way to fourth place in the
Tour de
> France with a broken collarbone in 2003.
>
> So you tell me how important upper body strength might be.
>
> Fact is, given reasonable health you could do a 25 mile ride with no
preparation
> whatever. It'd turn into a bit of a death march by the end, misery
and slogging
> and suffering. But, you could do it.
>
> OTOH, all of this got you off your butt and working out in a way
nothing else
> has, didn't it.
>
> You should (we all should) just plain get into shape, and the bike is
a part of
> that program, in fact it belongs at the center of it for me.
Exercise without
> targets, objectives, an event or a sport is either too boring or
requires far
> more self-absorption than I can possibly muster. Just being in shape
isn't
> enough motivation for me. My humble schedule of local competitions
for the
> upcoming year is enough. And if I don't get to be the fastest fifty
year old in
> town oh well, I'll be in pretty damn good shape.
>
> Back to the upper body strength, even Tyler Hamilton would do better
with a
> little upper body work out. At least he wouldn't get hurt so bad when
he
> crashes.
>
> Ron

When Jim Ryun held the world record for (running a) mile it was
reported that he could only do one push-up. You wouldn't find that to
be the case today and (almost) all folks involved in training agree
that increased overall strength is a plus. As you say it is just a
matter of priorities and what should be emphasized most.
Besides it's fun to be strong :-)

01-13-2005, 09:03 AM

RonSonic wrote:
> On 13 Jan 2005 04:24:08 -0800, "Maggie" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
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.
>
>
> Here's a guy who has an Olympic gold medal to establish how well and
fast he can
> ride 25 miles http://mitglied.lycos.de/grischafan/tdf02_hamilton5.jpg
and
>
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
and
> http://www.whileseated.org/photo/img...8/DSCN1893.jpg . And,
oh, by the
> way, the second picture shows him on his way to fourth place in the
Tour de
> France with a broken collarbone in 2003.
>
> So you tell me how important upper body strength might be.
>
> Fact is, given reasonable health you could do a 25 mile ride with no
preparation
> whatever. It'd turn into a bit of a death march by the end, misery
and slogging
> and suffering. But, you could do it.
>
> OTOH, all of this got you off your butt and working out in a way
nothing else
> has, didn't it.
>
> You should (we all should) just plain get into shape, and the bike is
a part of
> that program, in fact it belongs at the center of it for me.
Exercise without
> targets, objectives, an event or a sport is either too boring or
requires far
> more self-absorption than I can possibly muster. Just being in shape
isn't
> enough motivation for me. My humble schedule of local competitions
for the
> upcoming year is enough. And if I don't get to be the fastest fifty
year old in
> town oh well, I'll be in pretty damn good shape.
>
> Back to the upper body strength, even Tyler Hamilton would do better
with a
> little upper body work out. At least he wouldn't get hurt so bad when
he
> crashes.
>
> Ron

When Jim Ryun held the world record for (running a) mile it was
reported that he could only do one push-up. You wouldn't find that to
be the case today and (almost) all folks involved in training agree
that increased overall strength is a plus. As you say it is just a
matter of priorities and what should be emphasized most.
Besides it's fun to be strong :-)