djbowen1

Why is it that i can cycle for miles but i get tired going up the stairs, i know they are different type exersizes but what can i do to prevent this, are there certain types of exersizes?

ljbike

You might want to have a physical by a Dr. specializing in Sports Medicine. There may be some hidden cause.

djbowen1

even when i start cycling, the first little bit i am tired and then i go.

djbowen1

I have read many posts on this topic and none of them seemed like severe conditions. I can seem to find any by searching the forums.

Joe S

It takes a few minutes for the blood and oxygen needed for muscular effort to get pumped into your legs. That's what a warm up is for at the beginning of your ride (and why you may feel a bit stiff at the beginning of a ride). When climbing stairs, the muscles start cold, and by the time you reach the top, they still may not have the oxygen they need, so they send you a message.

I've noticed the same thing, but, when fully warmed up, both the ride and the stairs are much better

Pat

Well, it can be for various reasons.

Sci Amer had an article on stairs years ago. Oddly enough, people walk at a very moderate exertion level. But you put people on stairs and they tend to walk at an intense exertion level. So going up stairs especially if you try "pushing" the pace is like sprinting. If you just cruise as a cyclist, well you will be breathing hard at the top and your quads might be aching some. But you really are not "tired" as in "exhausted".

Stair climbing is very much like doing an out of the saddle climb on a steep hill. Are you surprised if you are a bit out of breath after climbing a wall and your quads are burning a mite?

Squint

When climbing, most of the work you're doing is against gravity so only the rate of ascent is important. When you climb several flights of stairs in just a few seconds it's like sprinting up a short hill. Stairs are close to 45 degree angles which, if I remember correctly, is a 100% grade.

Pat

Well, we pretty much agree Squint, but if you look at stairs, I don't know if I have ever seen one that has a rise that equals the run coming out to a 100% grade except maybe a set of stairs in a barn. Generally the rise is 4" and the run is something like 12", that still works out to be 33% though and others are steeper like 6" and 12" which is 50%.

roadbuzz

I favor the theory that you aren't warmed up when climbing stairs. Same thing would happen if you started a ride with an immediate steep, albeit brief, climb.

Plus, your legs may already be somewhat tired from cycling.

late

Hi,
You should see your Doc. It may be nothing, but it also may be something. have him check you out. If you are lying down in bed, and stand up; do you get dizzy?

jacob

I don't know why you're tired;

try doing many squats in a row(this has been used for pro wrestling tryouts ).

Jacob

RiPHRaPH

i also have had this problem. and i've wondered this as well. i've researched it and as far as i can tell, it has to do with the ejection force of blood (oxygen) out of your heart and to the largest muscle in your body (quad's)

i always thought i was maxing out in my training till i started my current training program in may '02. this program includes many efforts at/above my max O2 and many recovery efforts. after 5-6 months of this i noticed that i was not winded going up the stairs like in my previous 38 years of life.

for what its worth.

Gojohnnygo.

Do a lot of hiking in the Catskills this winter.You will be flying up the stairs come spring and looking for more.