Does biking build muscle?

[Iammotivated]

I have been biking for two weeks a hour a day and gained two lbs. My HR monitor says I am burning 400 calories in that hour. I do a lot of cardio so biking is not difficult for me to do. I think is this really exercise lol.

 

[victoria978]

Sounds like a question for Lance Armstrong. 'Cause I dunno. You would think so, to an extent. Depends on how hard you're pushing and for how long you're going. But even if I knew that info, I couldn't answer you intelligently. HEY! ANY CYCLISTS IN HERE?

 

[Iammotivated]

Well i wish Lance would answer.

Sounds like a question for Lance Armstrong. 'Cause I dunno. You would think so, to an extent. Depends on how hard you're pushing and for how long you're going. But even if I knew that info, I couldn't answer you intelligently. HEY! ANY CYCLISTS IN HERE?

 

[al420]

I don't think a cyclist is needed - it should be a yes if the intensity or duration goes up each workout - muscles grow based on load and stress, right?

A trainer at my gym does Ironmans and his quads are huge - looks like a middleweight BB

 

[Dial_tone]

You'll get stronger but its a different type of strength than you get from lifting. I guarantee you could take someone here capable of squattiing 500 lbs, ask them to wind a 53x11 gear up to 100 rpm and they probably couldn't do it.

 

[al420]

You'll get stronger but its a different type of strength than you get from lifting. I guarantee you could take someone here capable of squattiing 500 lbs, ask them to wind a 53x11 gear up to 100 rpm and they probably couldn't do it.

I don't think to many people on this site would want to as most cyclists look like skinny little girls - but one thing is for sure - they guy squatting 500lbs could work up to the bike thing a lot faster than the cyclist could squat 500 elbows!

 

[Synpax]

Cyclists are often more balanced than you think.

Yes, it builds muscle. Make sure you are working your hammies/calves, too, by LIFTING at least as much as you are pushing.

When I bike, I don't use my quads at all - gravity takes care of the downstroke. The upstroke is where all my effort goes. So when I hop off the bike and start to run, I literally bounce off of it with fresh quads (which you must use to run).

 

[Dial_tone]

I don't think to many people on this site would want to as most cyclists look like skinny little girls - but one thing is for sure - they guy squatting 500lbs could work up to the bike thing a lot faster than the cyclist could squat 500 elbows!

Actually most top track sprinters can do both, and they hardly look like girls.

Curt Harnett

Gary Neiwand

Marty Nothstein

 

[Synpax]

good pics DT. 'must spread karma....'

 

[mordy]

You'll definitly gain strength in the legs. Especially if you have a heavy bike and do any hills. Hills suck. But for lung strength climbing a hill on a bike is the bestest exercise ever.

 

[al420]

Actually most top track sprinters can do both, and they hardly look like girls.

Curt Harnett

Gary Neiwand

Marty Nothstein

Are you f'ing kidding me - nice legs but where are their chest, arms, and backs? As I said above - ridining a bicycle is easy - my kids do it - squatting massive weights is done by FAR LESS people - not saying some pro cyclists don't have big legs, but I would love to get into a 1 rep max squat contest w/ them....bring on Lance Armstrong

 

[Dial_tone]

Are you f'ing kidding me - nice legs but where are their chest, arms, and backs? As I said above - ridining a bicycle is easy - my kids do it - squatting massive weights is done by FAR LESS people - not saying some pro cyclists don't have big legs, but I would love to get into a 1 rep max squat contest w/ them....bring on Lance Armstrong

Who wants them? 20" arms don't make a bike go any faster. It's dead weight; hence the reason I'm trying to go from 240 to 205 while keeping my squat max equal. Any of the guys I mentioned above would wipe the floor with you in a squatting match.


Chris Hoy, Olympic champion

http://81.137.246.130/chrishoy/CURRENT PHOTOS.htm

 

[al420]

Who wants them? 20" arms don't make a bike go any faster. It's dead weight; hence the reason I'm trying to go from 240 to 205 while keeping my squat max equal. Any of the guys I mentioned above would wipe the floor with you in a squatting match.


Chris Hoy, Olympic champion

http://81.137.246.130/chrishoy/CURRENT PHOTOS.htm

I want them - and I want 30" legs. I am also going from 246 down to now 212. My squats have suffered but my BF is creeping down. While I respect ALL professional athletes, and for that matter anyone that can stick to a training plan including diet as a lifestyle. My only point is that strength athletes are in a class all ALONE. Maybe I should add cycle sprinters to that list.

 

[FFQuads]

Yes. It does build muscle and help to train for the gym and cardio. I have been into bodybuilding for years and started riding this year. I can squad over 500 lbs. and ride my bike like an animal. I love it and think it helps me get my head on straight.