Bicycling for exercise?

Question

I fairly recently bought a hybrid Trek bike for 450, and an odometer to go with it. I started out just using it to commute during for the summer and save money on gas and such but recently I have been riding it at least 15 miles a day and so far this week I have gone over 35 miles in one sitting on two separate occasions, meaning that I have already rode 100 miles just this week.

Is this decent exercise compared to say running or swimming or something? I am fairly inactive otherwise, normally spend most nights on the computer. I am 6'1 and over 200 pounds, my arms and legs both look muscular but I definitely have some pudge covering my lower stomach (4 pack). My only exercise is normally curling free weights (30 pound dumbells) and I also have a barbell but it is only 110 pounds that I bench everyday (it was lying around in the garage). I eat like crap, normally fried foods but do you think if I start to eat better and continue riding I can shape up?

Ahh one other thing- does bicycling for long periods of time burn away my muscle and just make me lean? Worked for a while getting my forearms and biceps and shoulders to their current size- would biking too much reduce them, or just tone them up and tighten the skin even more?

Hey the 110 pound thing is nothing at this point, I often just use it to curl.

Answer 1

Bicycling is great exercise!! Of course you can if you keep it up.

You should check out sparkpeople.com (link below...) Sign up(it doesn't take too long, and it's completely free), and then you can find out how many calories cycling burns... as well as other exercises, and keep track of all your exercising, including strength training. You can also put in what you are eating and keep track of it, too (calories, fat, carbs...etc...) ...depending on your goals, etc... it'll tell you what you need to eat to be healthy. (carbs, fat, calories...as well as any other nutrient, etc... you want to track)

Answer 2

I like biking too. If done vigorously, it is a good aerobic exercise, plus, it works your thighs (quads) and butt, but not much else.

If you want well-rounded development, that is to "shape up", then an abbreviated strength program might be well suited to your goal.

Basically, if you do a pushing exercise, a pulling exercise, and lifting exercise, you can develop the major muscle groups, burn calories, increase metabolism and achieve practical strength for daily activities.

Benching 110 lbs must be getting kind of easy, eh? Getting a couple of 25 lb plates would make sense.

Suggested Abbrev. Program, 2-3 days a week:
1. Clean and press.
2. Bent-rowing. (alternate with the next exercise)
3. Bench press or push-ups or dips.
4. Lunges - Limit intensity, unless you won't be biking for two days.
5. Ab exercise of your choice.
6. Curls

Best of luck.

Answer 3

biking is really good because (as the previous has stated) its less stress on your joints and it will get you a six-pack, no need for crunches just do that and the 6pack will appear trust me
but swimming is probably the best because it involves your whole body and its refreshing but biking is probably the easiest you get more of a sense of accomplishment for some reason with biking just be sure to keep a proper posture on the bike because if you slouch you will get a C shaped back happened to a friend of mine who couldnt afford a car and didnt want to spend money on bus or train fairs so he rode his bike everywhere but his shoulders are slighty turned inward - just be concious basically

Answer 4

Bicycling is exellent exercise, particularly with swimming. Both these utilize more muscles than most other sports.

Consider joining a club. Most bike shops have weekly rides.

Google the ADA exchange diet, it is easy to understand and balances nutrition while watching calories and fats.

Answer 5

Of course!!! Bike riding is better than running because of less stress on your joints and the fact that biking 15 miles equals running 15 miles....but the question is can you run 15 miles..??..exactly why biking is better.

Answer 6

Cykaling is good, Works the heart which then burns calliors, Added with weights and you should be good though if you want to lose faster try dieting but i am also trying to lose weight and i cant seem to get a diet goin lol

Answer 7

Yes

Answer 8

Sure you can.