[Sportsandrec] Loosing weight? I have a good idea.

Tue Jul 19 19:05:48 UTC 2016

Hay Ron,
You obviously know a great more about cycling than I do. My comment re recumbent bikes was based on comments a couple of PTs and chiropractors I know have made. I honestly have limited knowledge and experience with them.

Bill Kociaba
www.kociaba-fitness.com
"Building Better Bodies Since 1981"

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ron Burzese via SportsandRec
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2016 10:42 AM
To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
Cc: Ron Burzese
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Loosing weight? I have a good idea.

Hello Bill,

Thank you for the kind words. Cycling is my life passion.

However, I have to disagree with you about recumbent bikes. Actually, with a proper fit, they are more supportive of the spine. Still, as this article mentions, both upright and recumbent bikes have their own pros and cons.

http://www.lifespanfitness.com/uk/fitness/resources/articles/recumbent-bike-vs-upright-bike

Regarding your knees and the experience you’ve had, I would have to conclude that you were not set up correctly on your bike. This is worth a separate post, but the main reason, I believe, that more Americans are not riding bicycles today. They simply have not been taught how to correctly sit on a bike. I can elaborate, if anyone publicly asks. 
Cycling, in general, is one of the most therapeutic exercises for the knees, because it is a gliding motion, without the pounding from running, basketball, etc. It rotates the knee through a circular range of motion.

Regarding Spin classes, or indoor, group cycling classes, I do enjoy them. They stir up motivation and encourage me to ride at my best. If I like the instructor’s music, I can really bug out and get in a thorough workout. However, with my original post, I was aiming it toward the beginner, who would like to lose some extra weight. I’ve heard that the most calories burned, from stored fat, is at 65 percent of one’s max heartrate. As you increase intensity, you burn more energy from glycogen. For a beginner, it is crucial to first build a foundation of fitness, before pushing your thresholds. So for the first few weeks, just get on the bike and ride moderately, focusing on your proper position and increasing your duration. Then, when that begins to get boring, it’s time to introduce intervals.

Back to recumbents, my first tandem purchased new, in 1998, remains one of my favorites. unfortunately, it does not get ridden as much, since I have seven other tandems, that match my pilots’ sizes and purposes better. Basically, I see myself as an engine. No matter which car you put me in, I will do my best to make it move.

My exercise bike is a road bike, with dropped handlebars and a narrow saddle, made of Italian leather. Everything is where it should be, so it is quite comfortable to me. I think this is crucial, for indoor riding, because you do not have the stimuli you receive from outdoor cycling, except from Spin classes.

“Hey now, you’re an All Star. Get your game on. Go play!” Smashmouth,

Ron Burzese, NOMC
Sacramento

Join the blind cycling group at:

blind_cycling-subscribe at yahoogroups.com

> On Jul 19, 2016, at 3:00 AM, Kociaba Fitness via SportsandRec <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Ron,
> Some FANTASTIC  points! Only thing you mention I take issue with is recumbent bikes.  The position they put you in is not a good one for your hips and spine.  With all the talk about how bad sitting for extended periods is these days I would say to stay away from a recumbent bike.  Your most important point (IMO)is proper position that can make the difference in a great workout and some very sore knees.  Noticed you don't mention spinning.  Personally I am not a fan ofit based on the few classes I have observed. My knees hurt just thinking about it.
> 
> 
> Bill Kociaba
> www.kociaba-fitness.com
> "Building Better Bodies Since 1981"
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ron Burzese via SportsandRec
> Sent: Monday, July 18, 2016 8:10 PM
> To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
> Cc: Ron Burzese
> Subject: [Sportsandrec] Loosing weight? I have a good idea.
> 
> Okay, I’m now 48, but since I was in my early teens, it has always been the bicycle that has leaned me out, more than anything.
> 
> Of course, I ride a tandem, exclusively, now, but when I cannot get out for a real ride, I turn to the exercise bike. I know that sounds, like, so boring, but with the right distraction, along with a fan, blowing in my face, and a bottle of water, nearby, it can be an enjoyable workout. Believe me, if you do it, the endorphins will come. Your body does not know the difference.
> 
> A friend of mine, attends Weight Watchers. He met a woman, who vowed to herself, not to watch TV, unless she was pedaling her exercise bike. She has now lost over 100 pounds. I asked him for the link. He said there was none. He just knows her, from the meetings.
> 
> I generally ride my exercise bike for an hour per day, five days per week, unless I get out for a real ride, which is two to four hours, generally. It keeps my weight down, along with my cycling fitness constant, between outdoor rides.
> 
> Cycling, along with swimming, I’d guess, are two of the best activities, for those with extra weight. This is because you are not constantly changing the direction of that extra weight, reducing stress on, or injury to your joints, ligaments, etc. It is one of the few activities you can do, sitting down, with a fluid, low-impact motion.
> 
> I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but I’ve been a cyclist, for over 35 years, not counting the juvenile years of Stingrays and BMX, cruising the neighborhoods.
> 
> Exercise bikes can be found for free on craigslist, or for pennies on the dollar, at garage sales, second-hand stores, or other places. Find one that is smooth and quiet and learn how to adjust it for your comfort. I’d be happy to give you some pointers. Recumbent, stationary bikes are out there, for even more comfort, yet the traditional, upright bikes can work well, if set up properly.
> 
> My current exercise bike is a race-level bicycle, on a stationary stand, that provides resistance, to the rear wheel. The resistance unit I have, has an option for a transmitter that will be received by my iPhone, to tell me speed, watts produced, distance, and other such telemetry. Feedback, can be an excellent coach, as you ride. I have not yet taken that step, but for now, pedal faster, during guitar solos.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Ron Burzese, NOMC
> Sacramento
> 916-716-5400
> 
> Join the blind cycling list at:
> 
> blind_cycling-subscribe at yahoogroups.com

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