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#1
5th April 2002, 07:20 AM
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girlie cycling question
So, I'm really getting into the cycling and feeling a lot better for it. But...one little niggle...
One of the lads here tells me that cycling only builds muscles on top of the fat you already have (*ahem* if I had any, which of course I don't) rather than toning pre-existing muscles and burning calories. I don't think this can be right - specially if, like me, you're cycling mostly on the flat and clipping along at a fair ol' pace - can it? I scoffed...but at the same time, I really don't want bigger calves... 
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#4
5th April 2002, 07:52 AM
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Big legs?? *trying hard not to get offended...sniff* Well, there would be some muscle there already from all the walking/rollerblading I've been doing. But it badly needs to be toned...
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#5
5th April 2002, 07:53 AM
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I don't buy that Moon....your muscles will get bigger/stronger/more toned from cycling but you are also burning calories and therefore....should say hypothetically.....one have fat to burn one would do so....I have cycled off and on for years and my calves have NEVER got bigger....only more toned.....
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#8
5th April 2002, 08:26 AM
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No he's right, just look at the lard boys doing the Tour de France these days.
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#10
5th April 2002, 08:28 AM
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sounds like shite to me. why wouldn't it burn fat?
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#13
5th April 2002, 11:37 AM
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For start, the bigger calves thing is sort of a myth - I've heard many women say that they wouldn't take up cycling cos it will make their bums bigger.
It's far more complicated than that. There's different kinds of cycling for different kinds of needs. Then there's ifferent kinds of bodies. Generally, in order to attain a high level of aerobic fitness, while toning muscles (as opposed to building) and burning fat, the best kind of cycling is - Low Intensity - Aerobic (you should be able to carry on a conversation) - low impact (i.e., don't 'churn' big gears. On the flat, ride at 80-100rpm. As an analogy, consider weightlifting. If you're doing a small amount of lifts with huge weights, you're going to develop huge muscles. If you're lifting small weights at high repetitions, you're going to develop muscle tone. http://www.cptips.com/bscphys.htm http://www.turnstep.com/Faq/fatburn.html http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/...sep/hawley.htm this is pretty good http://www.pmts.org/fitbike.htm
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#14
5th April 2002, 11:52 AM
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I would add that you may see track racers of both sexes with huge legs - it's a different discipline. In most track events, it's a short, but massive exertion that's required. Those people do specific weight training - and they're not worried about getting up hills.
Do these calves look big to you (pro women) http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/20.../TBarndt.shtml http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/20...nflowers.shtml http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/20...rossner2.shtml http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/20...Bdoppman.shtml
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#15
5th April 2002, 11:54 AM
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Photos from the Women's Tour de France (Le Grande Boucle Feminin)
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/20...1pb.shtml#lgbf
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