As above, with the exception of the cycling machine, which has a massive girly saddle and a Q-factor than John Wayne would find excessive, so it kills my knees in 10 mins. And no i can't get out and go for a ride instead, I have an hour and a half a day where i can use the gym, but not ride my bike, so kind of want the time to go to good use, any recomendations?
Bike Forum
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Cardio Machines at the gym - best ones for cycling fitness/muscles?
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Posted 2 years ago #
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Running?
Not the same muscles, granted, but surely the most benifical for your fitness overall??
Posted 2 years ago # -
Get on the running machine and the rower.
I stupidly stopped running when I started commuting, and now my fitness is suffering. Running will give you a far more rounded cardio fitness than cycling, and the rower is brutal once you get your technique down. Very good for the upper body.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'd agree with that. Why can you only go to the gym in that period? Could you set a turbo trainer up somewhere instead?
Posted 2 years ago # -
I do circuit type stuff and use the recumberent bike for that reason.
Really kick up the intensity for an hours work out.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Cross Trainer thingies work well for me. Good upper body action as well as a low impact leg movement. My knees/shins really don't like any form of running for any distance, so the low impact movement on the platforms really helps build up cardio fitness without any muscle/joint damage.
Posted 2 years ago # -
yer running is not so hot on my bad knee! I've a turbo trainer at home, so use that there. The choices are: Treadmill, x-trainer, step machine and rowers. There are also a load of free weights and every machine going, but i'm reluctant to do too much weights for fear of wreaking my knees (they ain't too chippa any more!)
Posted 2 years ago # -
weights won't hurt your knees if you have the right technique and weight -in fact, they may even help by building up the surrounding muscles (going to the gym twice a week has kept my knee pretty much pain free, and i know this also goes for my trainer, who has had ops to remove cartiledge (sp))
thats a long time to spend on cv at the gym = hot, sweaty and dull. i would mix it up with weights, but if you aren't that keen on them, i would do intervals on each i.e 15mins on the rower, the x trainer at level xx for 1 min, and then level xx for 2, back to one etc, then 15mins on the treadmill and so on. will keep the boredom down.
what about classes i.e spinning? very good and last for 45mins.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Squat, squat and squat some more.
You will be amazed how much stronger you feel on the bike after a few months of heavy squating!
Posted 2 years ago # -
they don't have spinning classes at my gym unfortunatly, i'll have a look at the squats thou. Many thanks.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Rowing, infact any cardio machine which is underused or only used for very little time - they're the hardest and the best :-)Also swimming.
Like you I'm trying to get in shape and am alternating 30 mins rowing with 30 mins swimming throughout the week plus weights every other day.
Doesn't sound a lot but try swimming/rowing for 30 mins and you'll see its not easy
Oh yeah, invest in a Heart Rate Monitor
Good luck
Posted 2 years ago #
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