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How's biking for excercise?

C

cpals

Diamond Member
I really need to get back into shape and used to run a little, but it hurts my knees so much. Is biking considered a good for a cardio workout?

Also, the only bike I have right now is a mountain bike I got years ago. I would think this would not be a good bike to have for excercising?? Can I get a decent bike for around $200-300?

Thanks

Edited for clarification: I have a mountain bike 10 speed right now, but am only going to be riding on cement sidewalks... 🙂 So, in short I am looking for a road bike.
 
any ten speed should do fine, just pick a gear that makes you work if your doing it for excercise. get an expensive bike if you just enjoy biking has always been my view.
 
honestly, take that $200-300 and get a gym membership. You can use an ellipitical and bike there, and start lifting. 🙂

Kishan
 
Originally posted by: david46675
lance armstrong's resting heart rate is 32 bpm...i think its safe to say that cycling is a good cardio workout ;-)
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:Q:Q

where's the link? that's near dead 😉
 
My resting heart went has gone from high 60's to low 50's since I started commuting into work. its 5 miles one way and takes about 20 minutes, plus I try to do 1 or 2 lunch time per week where I ride about 15 miles in an hour.

I haven't lost any weight, but I have been eating pretty poorly and haven't gained any either.




 
Yes it's good cardio as long as your biking in a way that your heart rate is high and your body is burning fat at a fast rate. But honestly the best way to lose weight is just to control what you eat, sign up to a gym to push weights, and do like 1-2 hours of cardio a day, but slow paces, just go for an hour walk in the morning and at night, that way you burn fat but don't lose the muscle.

I have a diet thread here and I've lost 25 pounds already on it and still going, most of my excess weight is just water. This was all done in 4 weeks. Good luck.
 
Originally posted by: DVad3r
Yes it's good cardio as long as your biking in a way that your heart rate is high and your body is burning fat at a fast rate. But honestly the best way to lose weight is just to control what you eat, sign up to a gym to push weights, and do like 1-2 hours of cardio a day, but slow paces, just go for an hour walk in the morning and at night, that way you burn fat but don't lose the muscle.

I have a diet thread here and I've lost 25 pounds already on it and still going, most of my excess weight is just water. This was all done in 4 weeks. Good luck.
Click to expand...

linkage?
 
Originally posted by: KPSHAH316
honestly, take that $200-300 and get a gym membership. You can use an ellipitical and bike there, and start lifting. 🙂

Kishan
Click to expand...

The only problem is that working out in a gym is about as exciting as watching paint dry. Plus buying a bike is a one time investment as apposed to getting a gym membership ever year.

 
Originally posted by: cyclistca
Originally posted by: KPSHAH316
honestly, take that $200-300 and get a gym membership. You can use an ellipitical and bike there, and start lifting. 🙂

Kishan
Click to expand...

The only problem is that working out in a gym is about as exciting as watching paint dry. Plus buying a bike is a one time investment as apposed to getting a gym membership ever year.
Click to expand...


Good points. You get to see all sorts of stuff while biking.
 
Originally posted by: KPSHAH316
honestly, take that $200-300 and get a gym membership. You can use an ellipitical and bike there, and start lifting. 🙂

Kishan
Click to expand...

yes, pedaling in one place, at artifical paces, and sometimes having to wait for the opportunity to do so while others use your machine is far better than getting outdoors, seeing new places, getting a variety of workloads, getting some sunshine, and meeting new people.

and yes, cycling is a good cardio workout. most professional cyclists have enlarged hearts that actually cause them problems down the road... but that's not a risk for anyone just looking to stay in shape or have fun.
 
Originally posted by: cpals
Where's fausto?
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isnt fausto a road biker? i think mountain biking is a lot more fun than road biking (i noticed you said mtn biking in your OP), but if you're on the older side, road biking would probably be the better choice (to avoid getting shaken from your bones). you'll get a great workout from both, but road biking is probably better for outright cardio training.

fun thing about mtn biking is that it involves a lot of technicality, an element that slightly lacking from road biking.

but if you're only looking for a workout, you can get a pretty awesome workout from intense mtn biking climbs. only problem is you probably wont find any decent bikes, road or mountain for $200-$300. 🙁
 
Originally posted by: Sheepathon
Biking isn't too friendly on the knees, though. Do swimming - easy on the joints, good for a full body workout.
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Compared to running it's great for the knees. If you get your bike setup right it's very easy on the knees.
If you're using clipless pedals and have them setup wrong it will cause havoc on the knees.

Fausto............ where are you?
 
Originally posted by: cyclistca
Originally posted by: KPSHAH316
honestly, take that $200-300 and get a gym membership. You can use an ellipitical and bike there, and start lifting. 🙂

Kishan
Click to expand...

The only problem is that working out in a gym is about as exciting as watching paint dry. Plus buying a bike is a one time investment as apposed to getting a gym membership ever year.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's why I kind of wanted something to get me outside and get a little fresh air. I stay inside too much on computers and such.

Also, to the person talking about mountain biking... I own a mountain bike, but do no mountain biking whatsoever and am not looking to. 😛
 
I've been going ~30min in the mornings before work and have lost ~15lbs in a couple of months. I love it. I feel a lot better when I get to work.
 
Originally posted by: Electric Amish
I've been going ~30min in the mornings before work and have lost ~15lbs in a couple of months. I love it. I feel a lot better when I get to work.
Click to expand...

What kind of bike do you have?

What would be a good road bike for excercising/casual biking? Brands, prices, etc?
 
If you live near decent mountain biking areas then go for it. Most people I know have to transport their bike for miles, sometimes dozens of miles, to get to any decent trail area. That forces all but the hardcore to only weekend outings. Good for fun but not for routine exercise.

Road biking is much easier, just start riding out of your home. If you live in the city, then it's a pain though. Still, I would recommend biking as a very good method of routine exercise -- routine meaning you'll do it each and every day (without boredom).
 
Originally posted by: vegetation
If you live near decent mountain biking areas then go for it. Most people I know have to transport their bike for miles, sometimes dozens of miles, to get to any decent trail area. That forces all but the hardcore to only weekend outings. Good for fun but not for routine exercise.

Road biking is much easier, just start riding out of your home. If you live in the city, then it's a pain though. Still, I would recommend biking as a very good method of routine exercise -- routine meaning you'll do it each and every day (without boredom).
Click to expand...

Well, considering I live in Florida I doubt I'll be seeing much mountain areas. 😀 I was saying I have a mountain bike currently, but am looking into buying a road bike for riding around town and such for exercise.
 
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