Cycling

Backstreet Moyes

Just wondering if people think cycling is a decent way of losing weight. I have an exercise bike but i get bored really easy. My friend is selling his bike and im considering buying it but not sure if its just better to stick to the exercise bike. Im 16 pounds over ideal weight and want to try shed if before a holiday around September. I would be planning on doing a 30 minute cycle twice a day hopefully 5 days a week. Im just not sure if cycling is a good way of losing weight so just wondering before i buy the bike.

Walnutsink

You should lose the belly but you'll have legs like tree trunks.

seamus

Is cycling a particularly good way to lose weight? No, not particularly. It's an exceptionally efficient method of locomotion, but that's its downfall when it comes to losing weight as in a 30 minute session you might waste 10 of those minutes freewheeling downhill or otherwise taking it easy.

When compared to more constant-effort and less efficient things like running or swimming, you just don't get the same bang for your buck in terms of energy burning.

30 minutes on an exercise bike is constant effort, but as you've found it's painfully boring, like 30 minutes on a treadmill. 30 minutes out on the road is enjoyable, but you just won't put in a hard effort unless you happen to live right on a hill that keeps going up for about 10km.

If you're restricting yourself to 30 minute sessions, then I would suggest that running is the way to go. If you can stretch to 90 minutes per session, then cycling is worth looking at.

Backstreet Moyes

seamus wrote: »

Is cycling a particularly good way to lose weight? No, not particularly. It's an exceptionally efficient method of locomotion, but that's its downfall when it comes to losing weight as in a 30 minute session you might waste 10 of those minutes freewheeling downhill or otherwise taking it easy.

When compared to more constant-effort and less efficient things like running or swimming, you just don't get the same bang for your buck in terms of energy burning.

30 minutes on an exercise bike is constant effort, but as you've found it's painfully boring, like 30 minutes on a treadmill. 30 minutes out on the road is enjoyable, but you just won't put in a hard effort unless you happen to live right on a hill that keeps going up for about 10km.

If you're restricting yourself to 30 minute sessions, then I would suggest that running is the way to go. If you can stretch to 90 minutes per session, then cycling is worth looking at.

I know what your saying i have used the bike a few times and im sure i could last 90 minutes soon enough. Just havent cycled in years and want to ease into it at first and gradually go on longer cycles.

On the legs like tree trunks i presume you mean my calfs will get bigger. They are kind of fat and flabby as it is i havent played sports in a few years. I was hoping this would burn off the flab on them.

On running i suppose i could just from an area where i know everybody and hate jogging or running past people i know. Although that might sound stupid.

rubadub

Walnutsink wrote: »

you'll have legs like tree trunks.

I cycle about what he says, 20-30mins twice a day 5 days a week commuting for about the last 7 years and do not have big legs. Look at any tour de france boys they are not that big at all. The olympic sprint cyclist lads in velodromes have massive legs, but that's from weight training.

seamus wrote: »

30 minute session you might waste 10 of those minutes freewheeling downhill or otherwise taking it easy.

You can pick a route which is fairly flat with few traffic lights.

seamus wrote: »

but you just won't put in a hard effort unless you happen to live right on a hill that keeps going up for about 10km.

Another trick is getting an inefficient bike, a mountain bike or I would recommend a hybrid which I find more comfortable. I have cycled several styles of bikes to work, my current one is a hybrid with really heavy puncture proof tyres and light front suspension, any club cyclist would be horrified as they are concerned about efficiency, if you ask in the cycling forum you would never see them recommend a mountain bike for a commute. I much prefer having a comfortable journey & not worrying about punctures, puts a few minutes on the journey which is fine.

Also a slower bike means you are going at safer speeds.

I am cycling to work so I HAVE to do it, no copping out when it rains or even snows. I was pissing past cops with their snow wheel covers on during the big snow. For me it is faster than driving, the bus, or the luas, so I end up with more free time overall -and save a fortune, and no stress, nothing worse sitting in a jam on a friday going home.

It did help me lose a fair bit of fat, then I took up lifting weights which really helped.

huskerdu

Cycling is a great way of getting around and all exercise contributes to weight loss, but you cant out-cycle a poor diet.

30 minutes of cycling will burn off 150-200 calories ( more if you are going full pent for the entire 30 minutes).

One chocolate biscuit has 100 calories
One packet of crisps has about 200 calories.

It easier to not eat in the first place, then eat and try to burn it off.

The way to loss 16lbs, is to reduce your calorie intake by 500 calories a day. You will loss 1lb a week by this alone.

Add some exercise and you will loss more.

Good luck, you can do it if you focus.

Oryx

The thing here is that you could pick the most effective form of exercise to lose weight, but if you hate it, you wont stick with it. So you need to choose something you will enjoy, rather than the best thing for dropping the pounds. You dont sound too enthused with the exercise bike (I hate them too btw) but do you think you can get interested enough in going out on the bike to stick with your planned 10 sessions a week? Personally I couldnt maintain such a dull schedule, I think youd need to mix it up with other sessions or develop a plan where you set fixed goals (distances or time trials) for yourself.

Chaineri

Running will probably burn twice as many calories for the time spent exercising.

Sounds like you are planning a bike commute to work which is cool as it wont eat into your leisure time too much and morning exercise is supposed to fire you up and set the metabolism going for the day, hence burning more calories. You should give it a try, dont listen to the " tree trunk leg" nonsense, unless you are doing the Tour de Farnce, it will just tone up the legs..

Diet is the best form of weight control still, Like cutting down on stodge sweets and alcohol..... Dont forget the cross training to tone up, circuits or light weights are great.... Good luck..:pac:

SheFiend

+1 the above. Rest assured, cycling 30 mins twice a day will not bulk up your legs. They will gradually get firmer, but not bulkier.