By the way, does anybody use a trainer for their bike.....

[Calico]

My dh got a mountain bike and purchased a trainer to put it on for inside use. I have been riding it for a change of workout for about 20-30 min. at a time. Since beginning Power Hour and riding this bike my thighs have gone up a full inch and my calves have both leveled out about the same(one used to me 1/4 in. smaller than the other). Does anybody know if my thighs will eventually get smaller as they tone or will the combo of the bike and squats just make them get bigger yet toned? I really don't want to bust out of my pants if I keep this up. I do tend to have shapely muscular legs even when not working out like I am now.

Thanks

 

[Debra L]

RE: By the way, does anybody use a trainer for their bi...

Hi Annette,

It's hard to imagine PH causing your legs to bulk since it's an endurance workout. Maybe if someone had never trained their legs before.

As for the cycling, is it a new activity? Some people think indoor cycling bulks their legs at first but then they lean out. I look at professional cyclists - track cyclists & sprinters have huge thighs because of the way they train. Most pros (male & female) have sleek muscular legs even though body types vary. My cycling gurus are adament that the key to sleek legs is by using resistance during spinning to build muscles.

So make sure you're not training like a track cyclist which is 1 heavy gear. If you're riding to music or the tv be sure to change gears, change your cadence, make it like a real ride. Do some "hills", some long flats, some speedwork.

Hopefully the pedals are some sort of clipless system (like ski bindings) that you click into. This allows you to pull up on the pedals (hamstrings) instead of just pushing down on the pedal (quads). The 2nd choice would be inexpensive toe clips. (If you're an experienced cyclist, forgive me for the cycling 101).

Have fun.

Debra

 

[Calico]

RE: By the way, does anybody use a trainer for their bi...

Thanks Debra,

We don't have toe clips yet and this is a new activity for me. I do change the gears I work up to a peak (higher harder gear) ride for a few minutes and then work my way down with occasional standing and peddling and a few power rides (as hard as I can for as long as I can which isn't very long mind you) your legs fatigue very fast or at least mine do. Cadence gets slower as the gears to up so I guess that is varied also. I did measure today and my thighs might be back down a half an inch. By adding resistance while training do you mean increasing the gears for a harder peddling or will just adding the toe clips add resistence to the calf instead of it being all quads?

Anyway thanks again for answering my questions.

 

[Debra L]

RE: By the way, does anybody use a trainer for their bi...

Add resistance with a higher gear to challenge your muscles. It sounds like you're doing a good job mixing things up. You might consider a Spinervals tape since riding on the trainer can get boring.

The toe clips won't increase the intensity. They allow you to do a more balanced leg & glute workout since you can engage the hamstrings & glutes instead of just pushing down with the quads. I highly recommend the clipless pedals if you can swing it. Got to have it if your husband is ever going to hit the dirt!

Debra

 

[AndreaL]

RE: By the way, does anybody use a trainer for their bi...

I've also heard that indoor cycling causes bulk at first, so give it time. Cathe stated this happened to her at one time.

And try out a Spinervals! My favorite is Muscle Breakdown. Check for weekend sales at www.nashbar.com.

Andrea

 

[KatieDid]

RE: By the way, does anybody use a trainer for their bi...

Annette:

Hi! Congrats on the indoor trainer! I had the best legs of my life while training for the Seattle to Portland double century... Unfortunately, that was a long time ago for me. I used rollers rather than a wind trainer, but I loved them and occassionally ask DH for them even now!!!

I just wanted to say that cycling, whether indoor or out, can be likened to any other resistence training. If you use less resistance and higher rotations per minute, you'll see more of a toning effect. On the other hand, higher resistance and lower rpms will add strength and build sport-specific muscle. For me that meant low rotations of 70-80 rpm and high gears/ or low resistance and rpms of 100 or better. I did build thicker thighs when most of my riding was up the hills in the Columbia Gorge, but an every day mix of hills and speed intervals really slimmed them down. They looked long and lean - quite an acheivement for someone 5'3'' and built with CURVES from the ankles up!

Good luck! Let us know when you hit the roads!

Katie