Cycling and MA's

DITTKD

So, I recently took up cycling into work. 16miles a day altogether, in about 90 minutes. It is faster than the bus, but I also thought it would strengthen my legs and help the heart the lungs. BUT, somebody told me that people who do kicking MA’s shouldn’t cycle as it shortens the muscles and so reduces flexibility.
My knowledge of muscles/exercise programs etc isn’t great, but when I thought about what yerman said, it made sense. You push the legs hard while cycling, but you stop a lot, and you don’t have time to jump off the bike and start stretching at the traffic lights, so the muscles tighten up. (I’m not very flexible as it is.)

So what should I do? Is cycling an appropriate exercise for MA, as in, does it actually shorten the muscles? Would a few minutes of stretching at the end of my journey be enough to make up for all the non-stretching along the way? Should I quit the cycling altogether and find some other way building up my getaway pegs?

Roper

S'bollox I reckon.

I've heard that before and yet I don't know anybody who cycles who has any trouble. Sounds like an urban legend to me!

buck65

I cycled for 5 years semi competitively (long charity cycles of 100 miles plus per day) and I lost 5 inches in height.
Well no actually I didn't so it is a load of bollocks, if you stretch for 2 minutes after each cycle you should have no problem. Also when freewheeling stand up on the pedals and stretch out the calf muscles, cycling does build endurance and base fitness. So while it is good for general fitness I think you should mix up some sprinting or weights to compliment your MA training.

Nothingcompares

I think Fianna (or was it Colm O 'Reilly (Or gabe from TUF5) said something about this earlier. I think he said as long as you push you legs out completely when cycling (fit the sadle to correct height etc) and you stretch before and after you'll be ok

BobbyOLeary

I remember reading that Kurz stretching book a while ago, he had some bad things to say about gymnists (sp?) and cycling. Eastern european coaches wouldn't let their athletes cycle for cardio or something due to reduction in flexibility. I think.

I'll look up the book when I get home tonight and see what he said about it. The chap seems pretty well in the know when it comes to stretching.

Roper

Whatever, I reckon we can all agree that the benefits of cycling outweight the negatives. You're getting daily exercise, you're saving the environment, you're getting valuable internet opinions, you're wearing a "cool" bike helmet. What have you got to lose? A little flexibility? Small price to pay my good man.

Herman

It is a proven fact that those who regularly cycle have to gradually lower their seat over time in order to still be able to reach the pedals.

buck65

its a proven fact that their asses got flatter.:D


Anyway is cycling any good where it matters - on the "street"?

Dragan

Roper wrote:

S'bollox I reckon.

I've heard that before and yet I don't know anybody who cycles who has any trouble. Sounds like an urban legend to me!

I reckon your right.

Once your working on your flexibility in a proper way there is very little reason why pretty much anything should dimish it noticably.

I get told all the time that all the heavy weights I lift will mean I am no very flexible. At 6'4" I could comfortably kick a guy my height in the mush, so I'm still waiting for my heavy training to take it's toll.

Work on your flexibility in a PROPER way….not with hurdlers stretching and other out dated methods.

For an excellent resource on improving flexibility check out Eric Cressey's Magnificent Mobility DVD.

http://www.ericcressey.com/mmreviews.html

$50 might seem step, but get one or two people to go in on the price. The benefits of getting it will be more than worth it.

hardCopy

buck65 wrote:

Anyway is cycling any good where it matters - on the "street"?

Haven't you seen the wheelie-guardpass?

Colm_OReilly

I cycle everywhere, and do comparable mileage daily to DITTKD.

As regards losing flexibility, you will if you don't stretch. So stretch. A simple way is to do a 10 second hamstring stretch off the bike. You won't even look too foolish doing it in public.

Most of those type of common knowledge arguments are BS, such as muscle makes you slow or stunts your growth.

I get told all the time that all the heavy weights I lift will mean I am no very flexible. At 6'4" I could comfortably kick a guy my height in the mush, so I'm still waiting for my heavy training to take it's toll.

lol @ Dragan, to me it sounded so like this guy:

cowzerp

The reason why cycling can make hamstrings tight is when people cycle with there seat too low for extended periods of time-this causes the hamstrings to tighten and if not stretched can become a problem in the long term-if the seat is set correct it can enhance flexibility as your legs will go through the full range of motion, just dont let your knees hyperextend(over stretch) and you'll be fine, perform stretching after all exercise to maintain or improve on your flexibility..

Navantkd

DITTKD wrote:

So what should I do? Is cycling an appropriate exercise for MA, as in, does it actually shorten the muscles? Would a few minutes of stretching at the end of my journey be enough to make up for all the non-stretching along the way? Should I quit the cycling altogether and find some other way building up my getaway pegs?

I'm a martial artist and ex competitive cyclist. While a colour belt I used to cycle 15 miles to training and home again and never had any issues with flexibility.
My tuppence worth is this:
Cycling is a great warm up /cool down after a training session.
Cycling is an excellent way of improving you're aerobic and anaerobic fitness
The mechanics of cycling are an excellent method of repairing sore / injured muscles due to the rigours of MA ie fresh blood being pumped around you're legs will remove any toxins building up in the muscles
As long as you stretch cycling will only have positive effects for you.

A rule of thumb for saddle height is that with the pedal at the lowest position and you're heal on the pedal you 're leg shought be straight.
If you intend to make any changes to saddle height do it gradually, otherwise you may risk tendonitis.

Hope this helps.

Dragan

Colm_OReilly wrote:

lol @ Dragan, to me it sounded so like this guy:

And do you think anyone calls me a loser because i go home to Starla every night?

eoghan.geraghty

The issue with cycling and MAs relates to your hamstrings.
If you cycle competitively or even long distances your hamstrings tend to develop, and also tighten up.
When your hams tighten up a lot, it can push your pelvis forward.
This is no different to heavy deadlifting tightening your hams.
I'm sure you can see how this might affect flexibility.
However as nearly everyone has already stated, to prevent this from happening, stretch properly and regularly,ie, not just a quick hurdlers stretch when you get off the bike.
I've just bought a mountain bike and will be using it most weekends up around Dublin/Wicklow hills.I too got a cool bike helmet!

DITTKD

Thanks lads, some good tips there. I never thought of raising the saddle.

Yeah, I thought yerman might have been waffling, but wanted to see what you guys thought.

cletus

I used to work as a Fitness Instructor and Personal teainer, and this would probably go into the same folder as the bodybuilder who wouldn't get a massage for fear of rubbing away some of his muscle size.

As regards height of the saddle, when one peddle is at its lowest, the ball of your foot should be resting on it, and the saddle should be high enough that there is a slight bend in the knee. In other words, your knee should not be "snapping out" every time you peddle, but it should almost completly extend. Try not to have your heals on the peddles, and try to have your toes pointing forward

Conor20

Colm_OReilly wrote:

"You want a kick in the face from someone wearing these pants? FORGET ABOUT IT!"

I cycle 6 or 7 miles a day to and from college and I've never had any problems. I'll second that it's a great warm up/down after MAs. Also, as Roper pointed out, the "cool" helmet tops it all off.

Conor.

rcaz

Definately good as a warm up and cool down, and the wind in your hair is always good after a sweaty session. I've been cycling to and from TKD three nights a week for about two months, and I've already noticed changes in my fitness, and the muscle on my legs, specially thighs.

And don't stop a cool helmets, cycling opens you up to plenty of new and interesting fashions! Cool gloves, backwards caps, tights!

Not that I wear tights...

As for standing up to stretch your hamstrings now and then, what about those fancy fixed gear bikes, where you can't freewheel? Much of a setback? I was thinking of switching to one.

(Also, first post here, hey there! Been lurking a while. Nice to have an opinion for a change )

DITTKD

I cycled 30 miles yesterday with training in between. WRECKED today. I had a bottle thrown at me, but I was able to dodge with my amazing TKD reflexes

I’ve been talking about cycling over on another forum lately, and the fixed gear bikes are supposedly good experienced cyclists who want to push themselves. Personally I wouldn’t be into them. They have no gears like, it's madness.

rcaz

They're graet for building up strength, though. I have a 21 speed, I've started only using the highest one, to build up my legs. Works a treat.

You can cycle backwards on 'em, too! In theory...

Kaizan

I don't know the physiology or mechanics on this but my own personal experience has been fairly decisive.

I do MT and also cycle to work (about 30km per day) which normally doesn't cause any problems and helps strengthen my legs and increases my cardio fitness. However, when I'm training for a fight the bike goes in the shed. I have found that cycling 30km, going for a half-hour run and doing 2 hours of training every day is murder on my calfs. I stretch diligently but for some reason the cycling seems to be a step too far for my body. I kept cycling while training for my first fight and ended up with muscle tears in both calfs a week before the fight. It was painful and frustrating and I just managed to get myself sorted in time but it was a bit of luck and a goog physio that did it. Now I just wont' take the chance on it - as far as I'm concerned it isnt worth the frustration of getting injured at the last minute.

I think whatever works for the individual but every time I start fight training I have to put the bike away.