Arms and Upper body

[ColinJ]

I just remembered that I have been having problems with a stiff neck. It has got so bad that I am struggling to look over my right shoulder, which isn't great when cycling and turning right in traffic!

I've just been looking up neck exercises and trying a few of them. I'll give these a go for the rest of the year and see how much difference they make.

 

[Julia9054]

I find lifting the bike over Sustrans barriers keeps the arms toned. That is why the barriers are there, is it not?

Actually, I live up a set of 15 concrete steps so I have to lift my bike up those every day so that is my upper body work out! Maybe I don't need kettle bells after all!

 

[DCBassman]

That's a good example actually! I have struggled to get a fairly light bike onto a car roof-rack.

Me too, because my right shoulder more or less doesn't work above the horizontal. New joint next year...

 

[CXRAndy]

December will be my starting month for weights again. I have some dumb-bells and bar bell weights. I also have a squat cage, so I can do exercises solely and not worry about getting trapped.

 

[screenman]

December will be my starting month for weights again. I have some dumb-bells and bar bell weights. I also have a squat cage, so I can do exercises solely and not worry about getting trapped.

Never put off till tomorrow that which you can do today.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

I can highly recommend gardening. I lift everybody else’s bikes over the Sustrans barriers.

With luggage and kids still on the bikes.

 

[pawl]

I can highly recommend gardening. I lift everybody else’s bikes over the Sustrans barriers.

With luggage and kids still on the bikes.

Does pruning my Bonzai count?

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Does pruning my Bonzai count?

Definitely. Bonsai gardeners are particularly adept at unwrapping gels. And their gear changing coordination is a skill to behold.

 

[Drago]

Definitely. Bonsai gardeners are particularly adept at unwrapping gels. And their gear changing coordination is a skill to behold.

...and they're so smartly turned out!

 

[User76022]

I can highly recommend gardening.

I like about 10% of gardening. I like the big bits. I like digging, I like pruning my trees, building stuff, that kind of thing. That would be great for the muscles except that once done, it doesn't need doing again for quite a long time. The fiddly aspect of gardening, like weeding or deadheading flowers or anything like that doesn't float my boat I'm afraid.

What I've started doing in the last few days is, with no routine in mind, and when there's nothing else I'd rather be doing, I get the sledgehammer out and do slow exercises with it until my wrists and arms are burning. I'm aware of the risks of repetitive strain injury and such, so I think I'm being safe. We'll see how it goes.

 

[ColinJ]

Never put off till tomorrow that which you can do today.

Falling off a cliff? Kissing a cobra? Running across a busy motorway while wearing a blindfold?

I could do those today but I would rather put them off to a very distant tomorrow!

 

[pawl]

Definitely. Bonsai gardeners are particularly adept at unwrapping gels. And their gear changing coordination is a skill to behold.

I will agree with the gear changing If i tried to unwrap A gel on the bike I would more than likely end up in a ditch.

 

[screenman]

Falling off a cliff? Kissing a cobra? Running across a busy motorway while wearing a blindfold?

I could do those today but I would rather put them off to a very distant tomorrow!

I think the saying is for things you are going to do.

 

[Dave Davenport]

I find riding fixed on hilly routes gives me a fair bit of core/upper body exercise, I also try and do 15 minutes or so on a heavy bag a couple of times a week for the bone density benefit.

 

[CXRAndy]

Never put off till tomorrow that which you can do today.

I would agree, but I got out of the habit in the summer. Im away cycling in Tenerife next week so dont want to suffer 'doms' or risk minor pull just before a paid trip.

December will be fine, with a 8-12 week weight training session to build strength and muscle