Gym vs Cycling

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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 ). 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.

[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)!