loss of muscle in my chest and arms

[Dec66]

I know it sounded obvious but the loss has shocked not only me but friends & family... Just wasn't sure if I could get it back, that lack of ability to retain upper body muscle was just a side affect of cycling I would have to endure.

This is going to sound rude, but please believe me, I don't mean it to... Why do you want to retain upper body muscularity at 50? It's so difficult to maintain as the years pass, surely it's better to drop down the stack (or do something else, like cycling) than to try to keep up bulk and do yourself an injury?

For the record, I'm approaching 49 myself, and I want to be as skinny as possible (which the sprinter's legs and arse I possess mitigate against). It's especially good when the sales start, you can get some bargains in size "S"

 

[Citius]

If you stop weight training, then you will lose the muscle condition you have built up through weight training. You will not lose any more than you started out with. Simply 'leading a normal life' will ensure you maintain as much muscle strength and condition as you personally need for that...

 

[sight-pin]

Quote is not working here now?

 

[screenman]

What is a normal life?

 

[screenman]

For those wanting to build the upper body up a bit, what have you done today and yesterday towards helping the wish be fulfilled.

Bang 20 press up' s out between each sentence of your reply. As soon as you press the post button get down and do 2 minutes planking.

 

[sight-pin]

This is what you need to do,
Body weight is all you need,

I love this form of exercise,
A lot better than pumping iron,

It's all about control,
Below is some simple movement, but I hope get the idea,
Btw, I am over 50.


View: https://youtu.be/McHfvcJ7KsA

According to the NHS Choices BMI calculator you are a 'heathy weight' with a BMI of 20.3 - well within the heathy range - http://www.nhs.uk/tools/documents/healthy_weight_v3/healthy_weight.html

Thanks for the link also.

 

[Citius]

What is a normal life?

Whatever anyone would normally do outside of cycling. Getting up in the morning, having breakfast, going to work, etc - that kind of thing.

 

[sight-pin]

I've been cycling hard for the last 4 months and have noticed a big muscle loss in my chest and arms...I'm starting weight training again in hope of muscle regain... Is it possible to keep upper body muscle or is the cardiovascular workout of cycling so intense that you just can't retain/regain it.by the way I'm 50 years old ;( .

Apologies for hijacking your thread, i got a bit carried away

 

[Katherine]

Why not try a Pilates class. I feel much stronger than before I started and the flexibility and suppleness makes everything else I do easier. (I'm ahem a bit older than you)

 

[screenman]

Whatever anyone would normally do outside of cycling. Getting up in the morning, having breakfast, going to work, etc - that kind of thing.

But surely that is only normal for a third of the population. Personally I prefer to be fitter and stronger than I need to be, to lead a normal life.

 

[screenman]

I have found that it is mainly over weight people who say I am thin, which I am not.

 

[Citius]

But surely that is only normal for a third of the population. Personally I prefer to be fitter and stronger than I need to be, to lead a normal life.

I expect everyone has their own definition of normality. I've only ever ridden and raced bikes, so I've only bothered exercising in a way that helps that. I haven't been to a gym for over 20 years, but I have somehow managed to retain an adequately-functioning upper body musculature

 

[PhilDawson8270]

This is going to sound rude, but please believe me, I don't mean it to... Why do you want to retain upper body muscularity at 50? It's so difficult to maintain as the years pass, surely it's better to drop down the stack (or do something else, like cycling) than to try to keep up bulk and do yourself an injury?

I play rugby, and some of the older guys there are getting on for that age, or are over. And still have quite a bit of bulk.

Horses for courses, you're not done till you're done

 

[Drago]

Nothing wrong with a good dollop of lean muscle mass as you age. Stronger, bigger les prone to musculoskeletal injury, greater resistance to osteoporosis. Just ask Dave Draper.

 

[Dec66]

Yeah, you need it for rugby... All I'm saying, though, is that personally I'd rather get lean and stay lean as I get older, because trying to maintain muscle mass can be a hell of a strain on the joints and ticker as you age (not to mention carrying it round with you everywhere, and especially uphill on a bike).