Would biking every day end up not developing the leg muscles?

Question

I hear that you should take time off, like a day or so between workouts so the muscles have time to develop. Does that work with biking?

Also, is the heart like that?

Answer 1

The heart and the legs are comprised of different fibers, so the same rules do not apply. But on the other hand, you only have one body, so the same rules do apply.

An important thing to understand about exercise is that exercise does not build muscle tissue. Exercise, of any intensity greater than a short walk, only damages muscle tissue.

The benefit you get from exercising only happens after you stop exercising. After you stop exercising, your body begins to rebuild the damaged tissue. When it rebuilds, it makes it a little bit stronger than it was. Thus, over time with repeated stressing and recovering, you can build muscles that are bigger and stronger.

So the amount of recovery time you need is proportional to the amount of damage you do. The longer and harder you ride, the longer and harder you must rest. Psychologist refer to this notion as "making waves" in training. Balancing heavy work with heavy recovery. So if you ride hard one day, you may benefit from resting the next day.

If you're riding light (a few miles to work and back) each day, then a day off may not benefit you anymore than a good night sleep and a nutrious supper.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I biked a lot when in college and wound up being able to max out the colleges leg press.