testosterone decrease

[jayrob1984]

Hi im new to cycling and this forum. Im 30 and having a mtb for a xmas present my idea is to to find a new hobby get out and about and get fit . Although im quiet slim I do have a bit of weight on my chin and belly (probs from so much beer in the past lol) the thing is I am trying to gain muscle size as in I go weight training. I was suprised to read on the net that cycling can lower your testosterone levels and alot of cyclist have lower then average test levels . Im worried it will be counter productive to my weight training I honestly thought it would boost or atleast help your test levels . Is it something I should worry about oris it just with excexcessive cycling

 

[fossyant]

Cycling does not affect testosterone as being fit and healthy your range would be higher than an overweight couch potato.

With cycling you won't gain massive muscle amounts anyway as its an endurance sport.

Any problems you may have are more likely due to inactivity. Don't go taking dodgy supplements either.

 

[Hacienda71]

Being overweight is far more likely to affect how much testosterone you have. You may even grow breasts.......

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Absolute tosh - I'm 57, cycle and still get frisky at least once a year.

 

[fossyant]

PS you want to be lean if you are going to be an all round cyclist. Only track sprinters are built like brick outhouses.

 

[fossyant]

PS don't read anything that weight trainers write or talk about. They will have you taking dodgy supplements and your willy and plumbs will shrink.

 

[videoman]

I'm with SpokeyDokey but at 54 find once a year a bit too often.

 

[Ern1e]

Absolute tosh - I'm 57, cycle and still get frisky at least once a year.

I agree usualy during the summer months (ok ok I know which where they) and after a ride through town my god all those skimpy dressed females (sorry girls but i am still alive just) walking along the pavements had several near do's with kerbs !

 

[jayrob1984]

Thats what I was thinking guys. I just dont see how cycling can make ur test drop esp with how many health benefits it has . But I did read in on a few diff articles . Have a look on Google and im sure you will find a few . Not going to stop me biking anyway.

 

[slowmotion]

Thats what I was thinking guys. I just dont see how cycling can make ur test drop esp with how many health benefits it has . But I did read in on a few diff articles . Have a look on Google and im sure you will find a few . Not going to stop me biking anyway.

I Googled "effects of low testosterone" or something, and one of the first hits was a US site selling all kind of steroids over the internet. Of course, "low testosterone" would be cured by their dodgy products, they said

Don't do it!

 

[Gravity Aided]

I never heard the amount of crap that passes for medical advice, actually marketing disguised as health solutions.
.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_R._Brinkley
Dr Brinkley, it was said in another source, even went to Germany and met with Hitler, always a sucker for quack medicine:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodor_Morell
@slowmotion, if quite dreadful, is also quite right in his advice to you.

 

[I like Skol]

I am on course to ride 4000 miles this year and my wife says I'm a pest!

 

[ianrauk]

Can you all please keep on topic.
Thanks.

 

[fossyant]

You can get any answer you want if you google anything on the internet, so don't rely upon it.

A lack of testosterone would result in mood swings, lack of energy, lack of libido, and potential for weight gain. Exercise naturally increases this hormone, and messing with your levels when there isn't a reason to can be dangerous (liver and kidney failure). Each indivisual's level is unique to them, so what may be considered high or low, may be fine for that person, hence the 'normal' level is quite a broad spectrum. Fall outside these levels, then you need to speak to your GP.

A GP won't normally test this unless you have some medical problems/symptoms.

 

[michaelcycle]

Is it something I should worry about oris it just with excexcessive cycling

It's unlikely it is anything to worry about and won't really compromise your mass gain goals unless you are logging significant mileage (hundreds of miles a week) at a low intensity.

If you are really concerned just throw in some sprints into your cycling but that is by no means necessary.

The principal problems I can see are not testosterone related. If you want to gain mass in any meaningful fashion you will need a sustained calorie surplus. Cycling, depending on the intensity and duration, can rack up large amounts of energy expenditure and contribute towards a calorie deficit. You will therefore need to ensure you eat enough to compensate for that. In addition, if you are lifting with sufficient intensity you will need to allow your body sufficient amounts of recovery time for the supercompensation cycle to be completed and muscular hypertrophy to take place. Cycling can tap into that recovery ability.

If you let me know what your training looks like over a normal week I can help you further. I rather suspect your set up won't really be a problem though.