feba

Well, i'm planning on getting a bike to use as my main transportation soon, what exercises would be best to get my legs and body in reasonable shape for biking, without actually having a bike around? This includes no stationary bike.

ronjon10

Run stairs and work on your core strength. Running stairs will work your leg strength and cardio, core strength will help you stay comfortable on a bike longer.

feba

ok, I was just walking around the house randomly for half an hour everyday for exercise (don't like the treadmill), I could easily change that to stairs. What do you mean by 'core strength'?

superslomo

Wait... walking around the house randomly? You must either have a really big house, a very short attention span, or you break a sweat really easily. You should be doing something that actually feels like some level of exertion.

Try walking outside, or doing stairs. Running on the road works as well. Or just ride the bike in increasing distances...

psmit182

Add 'wall sitting' and push ups to your list of exercises.

Al.canoe

Jogging.

Al

DesertBiker

Core exercises build the foundation of a strong overall body. They build up the abdominals and lower back. Bicycling Magazine, March 2007, has a great article on core exercises and eight good ones with drawings and explanations of how to do them and why they work.

For the record, I'm not a physician or a trainer, just a 56 year old who likes to stay fit and healthy. I play basketball with 20 and 30 somethings and ride 150 miles a week. I'm 5' 11" and weigh 162.

Good luck getting "bike ready". Nothing you do will make you as good on a bike as riding a bike will, but when you get it, don't abandon the core exercises. As stated earlier, they will make you more comfortable on the bike and allow you to ride farther faster and have more fun doing it!

Jay

feba

Mostly doing loops around the dining room, kitchen, and living room, while having CNN cranked up so I can hear it across the entire floor. But basically, yes =p

I can try wall sitting, last I tried I couldn't do a pushup to save my life.

Thanks, i'll look for a copy when I have a chance

dahoss2002

I can try wall sitting, last I tried I couldn't do a pushup to save my life.

If thats the case, consult a physician first and ask his opinion on taking up biking. If he says ok, then just start slowly and keep it fun until U and the Doc feel U are ready to take on more vigorous training. Id be willing to bet that your butt is gonna hurt more than anything else and the only way to get over that is to Ride, Ride, Ride. It took me about 3 weeks before the Saddle Soreness went away.

feba

It's not that my physical condition is so grave that I can't stand any activity, it's just that I have like, no strength. I can't lift more than 50-60 lbs.