Getting fit advice again..... (sorry)

[Cookievts]

Just bought my self a mountain bike with the idea of getting fit again. I used to exercise 6 nights aweek before I started uni (football twice a week, tennis, judo, squash and badminton) and now three years into my degree my fitness has suffered massively (too much beer, pizza and beer)and I have put on some weight as well

I really enjoy cycling but how benifical is it to my fitness? I had a plan to cycle a select route and then every time I take the bike out try and beat my previous lap record. Would this method increase my fitness levels and lose a few pounds at the same time or is there another better way to get fit and loose weight whilst aboard a mountain bike?

Cheers in advance

Cookie

[SHutchinson]

Does it have to be on the bike? Can you run, possibly just short distances?

[Hoofy]

Google "HIIT". Apply that to cycling.

[Cookievts]

I get bored running but I can cycle for miles, possibly get some running done when my fitness has improved, what about skipping, if I mixed skipping with cycling would my fitness improve at a reasonable pace?

Cheers.

[Ordinary_Chap]

Cookievts said:

I get bored running but I can cycle for miles, possibly get some running done when my fitness has improved, what about skipping, if I mixed skipping with cycling would my fitness improve at a reasonable pace?

Cheers.

I think its worth talking about what sort of fitness you are referring too. Cycling and skipping will help on a cardio basis but you'd still be unfit when it comes to any top half work and also most likely weak too.

If you want to win cycling races then fair enough but if you want all round fitness you'd need to do something else.

[Cookievts]

I see, what do you suggest I do on top of the cycling and skipping,

Cheers

[BliarOut]

I cycle, swim and do weights. seems to keep the old pot belly at bay.

[Cookievts]

I have access to a weights only gym so would cycling a bit of skipping and weights.cover most of the key areas?

Cheers all

[Ordinary_Chap]

Given the choices I'd do cycling and weights but I am very much a weights sort of guy. Weights are superb for weight loss especially when combined with a form of cardio. I suspect if you do all 3 straight away it will be too much.

Remember to ease your body into training, most folk go hell for leather and then get burnt out in weeks.

[SHutchinson]

Cookievts said:

I get bored running but I can cycle for miles, possibly get some running done when my fitness has improved, what about skipping, if I mixed skipping with cycling would my fitness improve at a reasonable pace?

Cheers.

Cycling isn't really going to give you the intensity you need/want to get fitter quickly.

Is there a football pitch (or something similar) anywhere near you? Run around it, give it a 90-100% sprint across the width then jog the length to catch your breath. Keep doing it. After a few sessions when it starts to get easier, sprint the width then jog to the half way line then sprint to the goal line etc. etc. Before long you will be able to sprint the length and use the width for your recovery jog.

No boring long distance running and it won't cost you a penny.

[SHutchinson]

How's the cycling going?

[Cookievts]

Not very well in all honesty, 10 minutes up the road and 1 loud snap latter = 20 minutes pushing bike home. I took the bike back demanded a full refund and im back to square one again unfortuately.

From some of the other posts on here it seems like cycling is not the most effective way to loose a few pounds and work on my cardio so I might just start running and pretend its not boring.

Like I said I have access to a weights only gym so I plan to use that and go running with my dog.

Any guidance on the best exercises to lose weight, increase cardio and tone up would be greatly recieved.


cheers

[Ordinary_Chap]

Cookievts said:

Not very well in all honesty, 10 minutes up the road and 1 loud snap latter = 20 minutes pushing bike home. I took the bike back demanded a full refund and im back to square one again unfortuately.

From some of the other posts on here it seems like cycling is not the most effective way to loose a few pounds and work on my cardio so I might just start running and pretend its not boring.

Like I said I have access to a weights only gym so I plan to use that and go running with my dog.

Any guidance on the best exercises to lose weight, increase cardio and tone up would be greatly recieved.


cheers

Weights and cardio is the most effective way to lose weight in my view. But I mean proper weights and not sitting on various machines in the gym! (I did a thread sometime ago on my 50 day challenge where I lost radical amounts of fat). Although what I did isn't for everyone the principles all work and really its just how fast you want the weight gone that will determine the diet, number of sessions and effort level.

As for tone, tone is simply a result of low bodyfat, you cant get tone if your bodyfat level is too high in that area.

[okgo]

Tone up has to be one of the most widely used yet totally fictitious terms out there.

You don't tone fat, you build muscle and lose fat.

[mcelliott]

Cookievts said:

From some of the other posts on here it seems like cycling is not the most effective way to loose a few pounds and work on my cardio so I might just start running and pretend its not boring.

Cycling is one of THE most effective ways of losing weight. I would recommend you get your bike fixed and continue using it. If you want sore knees and shin splints, and for the scenery to go by at 4mph - take up running. I know which one I'd rather be doing.

[Hoofy]

For a cardio workout, I either just pedal for hours on a gym bike while reading (s/reading/ipadding), do shadow boxing/kicking or do some bag work. Bit more interesting than running.

[Cookievts]

Ok i better sort the bike thing out! is there much of a difference between static cycling machines and a normal push bike in effectiveness? I have a feeling that I might be able to lay my hands on a exercise bike which is currently collecting dust in a garage.

cheers

[mcelliott]

Cookievts said:

Ok i better sort the bike thing out! is there much of a difference between static cycling machines and a normal push bike in effectiveness? I have a feeling that I might be able to lay my hands on a exercise bike which is currently collecting dust in a garage.

cheers

Really it would be best if you could get your road bike sorted out. The static bike, although effective, won't take into account gradient, headwind/tailwind, and all the stuff that will make you work harder, and obviously the great outdoors as well.

[Cookievts]

I have returned the broken bike for a full refund, I like to ride around on forestry trails so its mostly dirt/ sand/ gravel etc am I right in thinking that this terrain will be better for my fitness as it offers more resistance (as well as fresh air).

I just need a new bike (again)

[Hoofy]

Cookievts said:

I have returned the broken bike for a full refund, I like to ride around on forestry trails so its mostly dirt/ sand/ gravel etc am I right in thinking that this terrain will be better for my fitness as it offers more resistance (as well as fresh air).

I just need a new bike (again)

Depends on how much your body parts end up interfacing with said dirt/sand/gravel.