Gym vs Cycling

[Penny4]

Cycling wins, every time! However, today's weather was pretty grim looking, so I decided to go to the gym instead. I haven't been there in ages, but keep my membership since it's only $10/month.

I did the elliptical for a while, and then the recumbent bike. (I find their regular upright bikes very uncomfortable.)

I left feeling very unsatisfied...like I hadn't really pushed myself the way I do on a long weekend ride.

What exercise/equipment do you use when you can't get on the bike?

[Blueberry]

I do elliptical and weights (mostly functional exercises) usually. I gauge the elliptical by heart rate. Sometimes I swim (depending on how crowded things are).

[Crankin]

I take a boot camp/functional fitness training class twice a week. Otherwise, I'm outside.
In the dead of winter, I might take a spin class or go to yoga class. I decide between spin class or my own bike on the trainer at home by the needs of my schedule. I also have a treadmill at home, so no need for the gym there. I'm also outside most of the time in the winter, whether it's snow shoeing, nordic skiing, or running.

[Catrin]

I take a functional fitness/metabolic training class twice a week all year, if the weather is bad I will work out on my own for a third session during the week or take a Bosu class.

In the winter I will use my bike trainer at home, but I don't use the cardio equipment at the gym. I am just not a fan of machines - and I ride outside in the winter as often as the weather will allow. I plan to do a bit more walking/jogging at the gym this winter as my body allows. Cold air is an asthma trigger for me so I have to be careful.

[zoom-zoom]

I'll run in just about anything, as long as it's not super icy. I've even biked as cold as 18º with a bit of snow and ice and slop with studded tires. But most of my Winter rides have been on the indoor trainer. I definitely don't push myself hard unless I'm doing a Sufferfest workout.

This Winter I hope to have a mountain bike with disc brakes. I assume I can get studded tires for that. I'd ride my CX bike in the Winter, more, but I do NOT like the almost complete lack of braking ability once my rims ice up. With disc brakes that wouldn't be an issue.

[tealtreak]

ROW!!!! it will kick your tail and uses the opposing muscle groups from cycling (:

[nscrbug]

I'm a gym rat...always have been, always will be. My riding days are Sat, Sun, & Mon. The rest of the week, I'm at the gym doing cardio and weights. At the gym, I use the Stairmaster, treadmill, 2 kinds of elliptical machines, and 2 kinds of stationary upright bikes. I also take a spin class 1x a week (I'd do more, but I don't care for any of the other instructors). And on Fridays, I swim laps at a local outdoor pool in the summer months (I loathe swimming in indoor pools!).

Linda

[Owlie]

I hate the gym. I get bored easily.;)

If I can't ride, I hit the trainer, but not so much in summer. I do some yoga and I should consider adding other stuff.

[maryellen]

stair mill (the one that's like a mini escalator that you have to keep up with)--either long and steady or intervals for a shorter time. ouch

[indysteel]

I run inside and out during from late fall to early spring. I also have a home spin bike. I have practiced yoga for about 6 years and do resistance and core work with a trainer twice each week. I love to ride, but I tend to think that it needs to be balanced out with other activities. There are a number of muscle groups that get underworked or not worked at all on the bike. Plus, it's not weight bearing. Cycling just doesn't check all the necessary boxes for me, nor does just cardio.

[Dogmama]

stair mill (the one that's like a mini escalator that you have to keep up with)--either long and steady or intervals for a shorter time. ouch

+1

I'm a bit of a gym rat also & regularly visit to lift weights. That way, when the weather is nasty, I'm not feeling out of my element in the gym.

[Crankin]

It continues to amaze me that there a number of people at the gym who think exercise is something you do at the gym and would never, ever go outside for any activity. I've worked at and belonged to probably 6-7 gyms in 2 states as an adult, and it's been the same at all of them. I've actually had some (all women) tell me don't like getting sweaty outside, or that something outside (like wind, dirt, bugs) is too "gross" for them. It's good they are exercising, but it's like people have forgotten what's real.

[Becky]

Cycling just doesn't check all the necessary boxes for me, nor does just cardio.

+1. For me, it's yoga once a week, swimming once a week, year-round, in addition to cycling. During the winter, I'll add a weights class and add more swimming or yoga as needed. I'd like to attempt running again, but I'm not sure where I'll fit it in.

[Artista]

I, too, participate in functional fitness classes twice a week in addition to my summer riding. I began taking fitness classes last January to help rehab weak muscles after breaking my ankle. I've been amazed at how the fitness classes have contributed to my riding. For instance, my mountain biking benefits from a strong core and upper body strength but riding does little to build these muscles. I'm riding better than ever after 7 months of fitness classes.

[Penny4]

It continues to amaze me that there a number of people at the gym who think exercise is something you do at the gym and would never, ever go outside for any activity. I've worked at and belonged to probably 6-7 gyms in 2 states as an adult, and it's been the same at all of them. I've actually had some (all women) tell me don't like getting sweaty outside, or that something outside (like wind, dirt, bugs) is too "gross" for them. It's good they are exercising, but it's like people have forgotten what's real.

This used to be me...that is, until I found cycling :D

[zoom-zoom]

It continues to amaze me that there a number of people at the gym who think exercise is something you do at the gym and would never, ever go outside for any activity. I've worked at and belonged to probably 6-7 gyms in 2 states as an adult, and it's been the same at all of them. I've actually had some (all women) tell me don't like getting sweaty outside, or that something outside (like wind, dirt, bugs) is too "gross" for them. It's good they are exercising, but it's like people have forgotten what's real.

I'm amazed by the people who run on treadmills year-round, regardless of weather. The only time I've run much on a TM was for 1 Winter when we had record snow and an ice storm that left most of my running routes unusable for weeks on end (since they don't plow/salt/sand some of the more rural roads much at all). Otherwise I wouldn't use the "dreadmill" if you paid me to do so.

[Dogmama]

Not a fan of the dreadmill, but doing C25K in Vibrams and want to really watch my pace and work on form. It's torture, but I'm hoping it pays off in the long run (pun intended :D). Running in Vibrams makes my lower back & knees happy since I can't pound down on my heel. I listen to Buddhist podcasts & concentrating on the philosophy helps make the dreadmill less of a dread.

[nscrbug]

I'm amazed by the people who run on treadmills year-round, regardless of weather. The only time I've run much on a TM was for 1 Winter when we had record snow and an ice storm that left most of my running routes unusable for weeks on end (since they don't plow/salt/sand some of the more rural roads much at all). Otherwise I wouldn't use the "dreadmill" if you paid me to do so.

While I'm not a huge fan of running on the treadmill, it's about the only option I have if I want to run at all these days. With my chronic lower back issues, I really shouldn't be running...but I do...just not on the pavement because it hurts my back way too much. For the low amount of running that I do (3x a week, 2-3 miles per run with short walking breaks thrown in) I can tolerate the dreadmill.

[indysteel]

It continues to amaze me that there a number of people at the gym who think exercise is something you do at the gym and would never, ever go outside for any activity. I've worked at and belonged to probably 6-7 gyms in 2 states as an adult, and it's been the same at all of them. I've actually had some (all women) tell me don't like getting sweaty outside, or that something outside (like wind, dirt, bugs) is too "gross" for them. It's good they are exercising, but it's like people have forgotten what's real.

I thought about your comment a bit last night. For me--and I am only speaking for myself--I don't do outdoor activities just to exercise. The time I spend outdoors feeds other emotional and spiritual needs that go beyond mere fitness. I don't mind working out indoors and I think my yoga practice also serves other non-fitness needs, but I get a huge benefit from experiencing nature and being engaged in the natural world that I don't think I could ever get from a treadmill.

[zoom-zoom]

While I'm not a huge fan of running on the treadmill, it's about the only option I have if I want to run at all these days. With my chronic lower back issues, I really shouldn't be running...but I do...just not on the pavement because it hurts my back way too much. For the low amount of running that I do (3x a week, 2-3 miles per run with short walking breaks thrown in) I can tolerate the dreadmill.

There are definitely reasons when the TM is the best possible option. Avoiding bugs and reasonable weather wouldn't be one of mine. Plus it gives me vertigo when I get off (my sister has this issue, too)! :eek:

[Crankin]

Indy, I feel the same way, actually. Being outdoors riding or running, or doing winter stuff fills my need to be in nature and my need to exercise. That's why if I am short on time, I would rather walk the 2.2 mile loop in my neighborhood, where I can see nature and get my HR up going up the hill. In fact, I originally started mountain biking because I love being in the woods, since I was a kid, in fact. But, the actual mountain biking part didn't work out so well for me, so now hiking is my alternate activity in the woods, during warmer weather.

[Catrin]

I kind of like going between the gym to nature and back again. I need to be out in nature to connect to the world around me - but I tend to do those things solo. The gym rat half of me enjoys going for the range of activities and the challenges of group training, but I couldn't limit myself to indoor activities outside of recovering from something that keeps me off the bike. I need that outdoor connection.

I must admit that I am starting to get frustrated with the rate at which I seem to injure myself mountain biking, I can't seem to stay on it long enough to progress before injuring myself again :rolleyes: :o I can't be the only one in this situation however, and I was warned this would likely happen before I improved. When it works it is so sweet though, just to be able to shut off everything outside of me, my connection to the bike and the woods around me. Hiking just isn't the same! As much I as I like riding the road, that isn't quite the same either...

[amnesiac]

Honestly I hate gyms. I've had memberships a couple of times but I just don't like being there so I just gave it up. If I did still have one & felt like I needed to go there for some exercise, I'd probably just swim.

[smithjohn]

Neither will give you the results you want. Eating better will. As much as 75% of weight loss is at the dinner table not at the gym or on a bike.

[Lindacan]

I love cycling because I don't only train my body but also get closer to the nature. That's the reason why i like riding along countryside.
My work is sometimes kinda stressful and i couldn't have much time for riding, i go to gym.

[Helene2013]

I love gym "environment" as much as I like the outdoor. I have my own gym at home and use it in the "dead" season. I am not allowed to run outside (knee and ankle issues) and feel safer and in control on my treadmill. My weeknights are too packed to have the "luxury" of going out too long and Montreal weather can get nasty more often than not in the winter season. So my home gym is my little paradise. I have a "personal" trainer who plans my workouts so I do my exercises the right and most efficient way.

I could cycle indoor more than on the road if it was only up to me. I find I push myself way harder and it is safer (no falls, no squirrels or dogs crossing, no fear). I love my home gym. But I am so well equipped there that it is a pleasure to work out.

I'm starting yoga classes next Monday but only for a session as I need to get back into my stretching/strengthening before hitting my gym and the hard training after my tibial plateau fracture of last winter.