Leg muscle/heart rate question?

01-13-2005, 06:31 PM

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.

thanks a lot

01-14-2005, 04:33 AM

chris c 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.
>
> thanks a lot

I would say go get a complete physical before you get into a heavy
workout program. That was the first thing I did when I started
exercising after a long period of time. If you are worried about a
heart attack if you push too hard, you need a physical. Plus I don't
think borderline dizzy is a good thing. I was told to stop exercising
if I ever felt like that. Maybe I am wrong, but if I were you I would
definately get a physical. Alot of things can change in 10 years. I
don't know your definition of younger and older as you don't give your
age....but if you are 40 or above, get a physical first. If you are
only in your 20's or very early thirties, borderline dizzy could be
nothing but pushing too hard. Get a physical anyway. But if you are 40
or more....DEFINATELY GET A PHYSICAL. I know everyone on this NG
reminds me that age is not that important..but in reality, age makes a
big difference. No one is the same at 40 as he or she was in their
twenties. I am assuming you are 40 or more because of the heart attack
worry. Thats when most people start to think about it.
Maggie.

01-14-2005, 04:33 AM

chris c 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.
>
> thanks a lot

I would say go get a complete physical before you get into a heavy
workout program. That was the first thing I did when I started
exercising after a long period of time. If you are worried about a
heart attack if you push too hard, you need a physical. Plus I don't
think borderline dizzy is a good thing. I was told to stop exercising
if I ever felt like that. Maybe I am wrong, but if I were you I would
definately get a physical. Alot of things can change in 10 years. I
don't know your definition of younger and older as you don't give your
age....but if you are 40 or above, get a physical first. If you are
only in your 20's or very early thirties, borderline dizzy could be
nothing but pushing too hard. Get a physical anyway. But if you are 40
or more....DEFINATELY GET A PHYSICAL. I know everyone on this NG
reminds me that age is not that important..but in reality, age makes a
big difference. No one is the same at 40 as he or she was in their
twenties. I am assuming you are 40 or more because of the heart attack
worry. Thats when most people start to think about it.
Maggie.

01-14-2005, 04:33 AM

chris c 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.
>
> thanks a lot

I would say go get a complete physical before you get into a heavy
workout program. That was the first thing I did when I started
exercising after a long period of time. If you are worried about a
heart attack if you push too hard, you need a physical. Plus I don't
think borderline dizzy is a good thing. I was told to stop exercising
if I ever felt like that. Maybe I am wrong, but if I were you I would
definately get a physical. Alot of things can change in 10 years. I
don't know your definition of younger and older as you don't give your
age....but if you are 40 or above, get a physical first. If you are
only in your 20's or very early thirties, borderline dizzy could be
nothing but pushing too hard. Get a physical anyway. But if you are 40
or more....DEFINATELY GET A PHYSICAL. I know everyone on this NG
reminds me that age is not that important..but in reality, age makes a
big difference. No one is the same at 40 as he or she was in their
twenties. I am assuming you are 40 or more because of the heart attack
worry. Thats when most people start to think about it.
Maggie.

01-14-2005, 04:46 AM

Congratulations on getting back into the sport. The safest thing to do
- regarding the heart question - is to get a checkup from your doctor
before pushing yourself to those points. Don't mess around with your
ticker! Are you using a heart rate monitor? Experiencing dizziness on
a stationary bike is one thing, getting dizzy while sharing the road
with cars is another. Take this seriously. The dizziness may be from
reaching your VO2 Max. See
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] There are ways
to improve your oxygen absorption, and thereby reduce any negative
effects from VO2 Max.

As for the muscle definition, your legs are your biggest muscles, and
in my experience, it has taken a LONG time to get them not to look like
toothpicks. But maybe I'm genetically challenged.

Good luck.

Myo

chris c 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.
>
> thanks a lot

01-14-2005, 04:46 AM

Congratulations on getting back into the sport. The safest thing to do
- regarding the heart question - is to get a checkup from your doctor
before pushing yourself to those points. Don't mess around with your
ticker! Are you using a heart rate monitor? Experiencing dizziness on
a stationary bike is one thing, getting dizzy while sharing the road
with cars is another. Take this seriously. The dizziness may be from
reaching your VO2 Max. See
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] There are ways
to improve your oxygen absorption, and thereby reduce any negative
effects from VO2 Max.

As for the muscle definition, your legs are your biggest muscles, and
in my experience, it has taken a LONG time to get them not to look like
toothpicks. But maybe I'm genetically challenged.

Good luck.

Myo

chris c 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.
>
> thanks a lot

01-14-2005, 04:46 AM

Congratulations on getting back into the sport. The safest thing to do
- regarding the heart question - is to get a checkup from your doctor
before pushing yourself to those points. Don't mess around with your
ticker! Are you using a heart rate monitor? Experiencing dizziness on
a stationary bike is one thing, getting dizzy while sharing the road
with cars is another. Take this seriously. The dizziness may be from
reaching your VO2 Max. See
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] There are ways
to improve your oxygen absorption, and thereby reduce any negative
effects from VO2 Max.

As for the muscle definition, your legs are your biggest muscles, and
in my experience, it has taken a LONG time to get them not to look like
toothpicks. But maybe I'm genetically challenged.

Good luck.

Myo

chris c 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.
>
> thanks a lot

01-14-2005, 07:43 AM

Actually I am 35 , but feel like 25.

"Maggie" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1105709590.268665.222010@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
>
> chris c 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.
> >
> > thanks a lot
>
>
> I would say go get a complete physical before you get into a heavy
> workout program. That was the first thing I did when I started
> exercising after a long period of time. If you are worried about a
> heart attack if you push too hard, you need a physical. Plus I don't
> think borderline dizzy is a good thing. I was told to stop exercising
> if I ever felt like that. Maybe I am wrong, but if I were you I would
> definately get a physical. Alot of things can change in 10 years. I
> don't know your definition of younger and older as you don't give your
> age....but if you are 40 or above, get a physical first. If you are
> only in your 20's or very early thirties, borderline dizzy could be
> nothing but pushing too hard. Get a physical anyway. But if you are 40
> or more....DEFINATELY GET A PHYSICAL. I know everyone on this NG
> reminds me that age is not that important..but in reality, age makes a
> big difference. No one is the same at 40 as he or she was in their
> twenties. I am assuming you are 40 or more because of the heart attack
> worry. Thats when most people start to think about it.
> Maggie.
>

01-14-2005, 07:43 AM

Actually I am 35 , but feel like 25.

"Maggie" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1105709590.268665.222010@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
>
> chris c 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.
> >
> > thanks a lot
>
>
> I would say go get a complete physical before you get into a heavy
> workout program. That was the first thing I did when I started
> exercising after a long period of time. If you are worried about a
> heart attack if you push too hard, you need a physical. Plus I don't
> think borderline dizzy is a good thing. I was told to stop exercising
> if I ever felt like that. Maybe I am wrong, but if I were you I would
> definately get a physical. Alot of things can change in 10 years. I
> don't know your definition of younger and older as you don't give your
> age....but if you are 40 or above, get a physical first. If you are
> only in your 20's or very early thirties, borderline dizzy could be
> nothing but pushing too hard. Get a physical anyway. But if you are 40
> or more....DEFINATELY GET A PHYSICAL. I know everyone on this NG
> reminds me that age is not that important..but in reality, age makes a
> big difference. No one is the same at 40 as he or she was in their
> twenties. I am assuming you are 40 or more because of the heart attack
> worry. Thats when most people start to think about it.
> Maggie.
>

01-14-2005, 07:43 AM

Actually I am 35 , but feel like 25.

"Maggie" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1105709590.268665.222010@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
>
> chris c 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.
> >
> > thanks a lot
>
>
> I would say go get a complete physical before you get into a heavy
> workout program. That was the first thing I did when I started
> exercising after a long period of time. If you are worried about a
> heart attack if you push too hard, you need a physical. Plus I don't
> think borderline dizzy is a good thing. I was told to stop exercising
> if I ever felt like that. Maybe I am wrong, but if I were you I would
> definately get a physical. Alot of things can change in 10 years. I
> don't know your definition of younger and older as you don't give your
> age....but if you are 40 or above, get a physical first. If you are
> only in your 20's or very early thirties, borderline dizzy could be
> nothing but pushing too hard. Get a physical anyway. But if you are 40
> or more....DEFINATELY GET A PHYSICAL. I know everyone on this NG
> reminds me that age is not that important..but in reality, age makes a
> big difference. No one is the same at 40 as he or she was in their
> twenties. I am assuming you are 40 or more because of the heart attack
> worry. Thats when most people start to think about it.
> Maggie.
>