Building muscle

[Steady]

In an earlier post you mentioned you wasn't losing weight, for a large part of this year I haven't been either, but despite the lack of change in the scale number my body composition has altered massively.

For the most of this year that's been achieved by high intensive cardio (Insanity actually). Insanity has produced a lot of lower leg muscle and core strength, and to a smaller degree upper body strength, I can manage a few proper push ups which I've never done it my life, and then since May cycling.

Cycling consistently is great for fitness and weightloss. Cycling once day even if that means less miles is better than a once a week long haul.

I'm five foot three as well. Started in 2013 at 104kg and now I'm down to 69kg.

Keeping at it makes anything possible.

 

[montage]

I always told myself if I was pretty fat, I would just pack a day sack full of carbs and strong veggies, beetroot etc and either walk or ride for a week straight. Then recover for a week at home and do it again.

How has nobody said anything about this yet

 

[jarlrmai]

Long since stopped bothering even responding,

 

[JasonHolder]

What's the problem

 

[Globalti]

WTF are you on about!

WTF I'm on about is that a smooth, fluid pedaling style is what every cyclist should aim to achieve, rather than a bobbing style caused by pushing down hard on the pedals. Doing that will only develop limited muscles and will earn you the nickname of "nodder" when more accomplished cyclists cruise smoothly past you. Why do you think sports commentators rave about Wiggo's smooth style? Spinning the pedals smoothly is harder because it brings lesser muscles into play but in the long term it develops those muscles in a more balanced way than just developing the quads.

Are you serious? Exactly the other way round.
Spinning not pushing down?
Find a big hill, hit in the wrong gear. Reach exhaustion within 40 yards or less. Turn round (the equivalent of your break between sets) go down and do it again.

This is dangerous advice; not only will the mechanical stresses kill your knees within a short time, it will also bore you to hell and make cycling so painful and unpleasant that you'll give up and buy a car.

 

[Berties]

The question is do you want to build muscle or tone up,
A few years ago wanting to loose the winter podge I ran every day I mean I was like Forrest Gump ,this was post cycling,I cut carbs down to a minimum,just porridge and a bit of cous cous,I had to go to a Physio due to a injury who asked me if I had been ill due to apparent muscle wastage,I will never forget that,now well into my cycling journey my legs are as big as I want them and arms are well toned but maybe not as muscular As a few years ago. So my personal morale is eat balanced,and ride a lot,mixing up the rides some fast some longer rides,it takes time to get where you want to be,but it's there for the taking

 

[blazed]

Speak for yourself fatty

I'm a literal tank on a saddle. I have never seen anyone out on the bike like me. On one hand I get a lot of looks from women. I know what they're thinking. "Oh wow look at that beefcake I thought all cyclists were skinny gollum looking things". I like that of course bit on the other hand I'm at a disadvantage due to my size.

 

[fossyant]

Who you calling old as well ?

Tank on saddle, bit like saying you are big boned...

 

[Rob3rt]

WTF I'm on about is that a smooth, fluid pedaling style is what every cyclist should aim to achieve, rather than a bobbing style caused by pushing down hard on the pedals. Doing that will only develop limited muscles and will earn you the nickname of "nodder" when more accomplished cyclists cruise smoothly past you. Why do you think sports commentators rave about Wiggo's smooth style? Spinning the pedals smoothly is harder because it brings lesser muscles into play but in the long term it develops those muscles in a more balanced way than just developing the quads.

What a load of garbage. What every cyclist should aim to achieve is enjoyment in whatever form they like from riding a bike. Unless you are a special case, pedalling will take care of itself! Just to clarify one thing though spinning the pedals smoothly suggests applying force throughout the entire pedal stroke, i.e. more muscles are recruited.

As for the commentators, that's hilarious, you are dafter than I give you credit for. Next you will be telling me Wiggo has the lowest CdA in the pro peleton owing to his "perfect flat back" as the commentators always put it.

Tell you what, next time my coach (who may or may not be one of Wiggo's peers) sends me my daily workout or instructs me to ride with a slow forceful pedal stroke I'll tell him, "Oy Globalti, inventor of legal doping through the administration of protein and carbohydrates post-pootle and king of the midweek hooligan ride says no..."

Carry on reading your magazines...

 

[Globalti]

Just to clarify one thing though spinning the pedals smoothly suggests applying force throughout the entire pedal stroke, i.e. more muscles are recruited.

Errrr... thanks! That's exactly what I wrote, isn't it?

As for the commentators, that's hilarious, you are dafter than I give you credit for. Next you will be telling me Wiggo has the lowest CdA in the pro peleton owing to his "perfect flat back" as the commentators always put it.

Cycling Weekly: "Wiggins continued at the same velocity, his smooth pedalling style making his stunning performance look effortless."

Tribesports.com: " Maintaining a cadence of 95-100rpm (and more) for substantial periods of time has worked well for Wiggins and Chris Froome."

British Cycling: "Pedalling: Souplesse is a word often used for silky smooth pedalling, but how do you develop that efficient motion?"

....is that enough for you?

If you're going to be sarcastic towards fellow forum contributors, at least be sure that you're talking sense!

 

[Rob3rt]

Errrr... thanks! That's exactly what I wrote, isn't it?



Cycling Weekly: "Wiggins continued at the same velocity, his smooth pedalling style making his stunning performance look effortless."

Tribesports.com: " Maintaining a cadence of 95-100rpm (and more) for substantial periods of time has worked well for Wiggins and Chris Froome."

British Cycling: "Pedalling: Souplesse is a word often used for silky smooth pedalling, but how do you develop that efficient motion?"

....is that enough for you?

If you're going to be sarcastic towards fellow forum contributors, at least be sure that you're talking sense!

No, what I said is the opposite of what you said!

Those are a load of random quotes that contain no information. Only one of those quotes makes any claims to increased performance, the tribesports one, which not only lacks context is contrary to that Wiggo has recently done, i.e. lowering his cadence.

"Looks effortless" - LOL! Much like you can see aero (not) you can see efficiency too?

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

And that's why folks, I always run a careful risk assessment before posting anything in here, based on how I think Robert might react to my, at times, incoherent ramblings!

 

[Spinney]

Mod message: please try to stay on topic and not get involved in personal arguments.

 

[brand]

I see everyone has gone off topic....as usual. Typical as soon as I go to the pub everything goes belly up

A high cadence will not increase muscle size. A low cadence at the same speed will build bigger muscles.... obviously. Cycling up hill in the wrong gear is the same thing, only better. There is no requirement to do it for more than 15 minutes. Running can damage your knees, as there is no impact with cycling (other than falling off) it is impossible to sustain the same injuries. IE worn out cartilage.

 

[MrGrumpy]

back on topic, I`ve not lost much in the weight department, however I`m down sizing still the same. Managed to get into 34" waist shorts and trousers, my suit I bought a few years back is now baggy on me but weight has unchanged!! Don`t get het up by how much you weigh, exercise as much a possible and to speed things up eat and drink wisely. You will change shape for certain, things take a bit longer it would seem as you get older PS I eat like a horse and drink far too much , but I`m still trimming. After my holibags I think both my wife and I are going to make some changes to lifestyle, so going out with a bang just now