Cycling

LundiMardi

I know cycling is only half as effective as walking when it comes to burning calories, but how much cycling would be sufficient to loose weight - 2lbs a week?

I know it will get me fitter, but it might be difficult to loose weight.

Oh, and i'm talking about outside in the weather cycling, not sitting in a gym cycling.

madbabe(",)

just another question about cycling does it give you big thighs?

SeanPuddin

years of cycling gives you big thighs

Superdub2

SeanPuddin wrote:

years of cycling gives you big thighs

if you want to some good cycling do some spinning classes and that will burn the fat off you!

LundiMardi

anyway, back to the original question:rolleyes:

Reyman

That's not a simple question you're asking. It depends on a lot of factors like your current weight, the bike you're using, what pace you're capable of going at and I'm sure a number of other factors.
But I'd reckon if you make no change in your diet or any other part of your exercie regime you's probably need to do 2 hours a day cycling at a good pace to get near 2lbs weight loss per week.
That could mean doing 30 miles a day so maybe it's not practical.
Why not cut back on your eating and drinking instead?

Limerick Dude

so cycling does feck all? i cycle to school every day and would consider it good exercise.....

Julesie

Its not that it does "feck all" its just that it wouldnt be the most efficient means of weight loss, if that is your primary goal. Say for example that at the moment you are eating exactly your energy needs for the day (i.e. no calorie surplus/deficit) and that all factors considered you burn approx 600 kcal every hour that you cycle.

If 1 lb of fat = 3500 kcal

3500/600 = 5.833 Hours of Cycing

So if you cycle for 12 hours a week you should create the necessary deficit, however that is making the very large assumption that you are starting from a position where you are not eating surplus calories. Many people find that it is far easier to create part of the deficit through their diet and do maybe 6 hours of cycling or some other excercise over the course of a week. Its a bit more of a balanced approach and allows some room for manoeuvre if you hit a plateau

rubadub

What is best for fat loss? (rather than weight loss, i.e. I do not mind muscle building).
Cycling in high gears or low gears?
Obviously high gears is more of a muscle building exercise and low gears are aerobic. So should I be alternating one day high one day low. Or if I build the muscle in high gears will I see more fat loss due to calories going into building muscle.
I reckon the muscles will need a rest so one day off is needed. Or should it be 2 high 2 low, 2 high 3 low etc.

rubadub

rubadub wrote:

What is best for fat loss? (rather than weight loss, i.e. I do not mind muscle building).
Cycling in high gears or low gears?
Obviously high gears is more of a muscle building exercise and low gears are aerobic. So should I be alternating one day high one day low. Or if I build the muscle in high gears will I see more fat loss due to calories going into building muscle.
I reckon the muscles will need a rest so one day off is needed. Or should it be 2 high 2 low, 2 high 3 low etc.

bump!

justsomebloke

i would have to go with option c, the one where you keep your heart rate at the optium heart rate for losing weight so it can be a slow high gear that keeps you there or a faster lower gear once you keep you heart rate right, probably the mid 120s.