Any Bikers (cycles) out there?

[Boingo1]

Any experience as to what kind of effect biking will have on my lower body? I'm hoping that it could help thin it out. I just got a bike (early bday present!) and hoping that it would have that kind of effect for me!

 

[janie1234]

Well Happy Birthday! What kind of bike? I recently got into mountain biking and I can't even tell you how much it has kicked up my fitness level, . . . cardio wise and leg strength. There are some awesome mountain bikers here who have totally helped me out.

 

[dkerby]

I'm a retired national level road racer. I have been cycling (competing) on the road since the age of 11, I retired at age of 36, I'm 37 this year. I cycle outside on average 12-18 hours per week year round. As for if cycling will thin out your legs, it depend on how you cycle, do you spin or do you push a big gear (with a lower cadance). And as always diet is the key - do not get caught up in think at you have to carb load to cycle!

 

[Boingo1]

Thanks!

My bday is next month, but we went bike shopping and I ended up getting an "in between" rode bike and off-rode bike. It's an Ariel Specialized. I have NO idea what that means, or even if I said it right! LOL!

I just started this week, so I've been keeping the gear moderate (5-6), if again, that makes sense, because I don't know what the heck i'm talking about! LOL!

dkerby..that is amazing that you have competed all those years! VERY impressive!!! and cool that you like to bike that much!

 

[ivorygorgon]

I don't think I can say that biking has "thinned" my legs, but it has changed them. I can really see the difference in the shape of them, how the muscles look, and even though I have been working out for years, my legs have definitely "tightened up" in some areas.

I discovered spinning about a year ago and it has been a fast and furious love affair with biking ever since. DH and I have been mountain biking and it is an absolute blast. Even just taking the bike out for a little spin is really fun. Enjoy! And do it because it is fun, not because it will thin out your legs.