Do you consider your commute to be exercise?
#26
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: lost without a care
Posts: 130
Bikes: Scott Aspect 680
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the responses everyone. I realise the question may have seemed a bit silly to some of you, but thing is I don't "race" on my ride (I often stop for a quick breather... it is a hilly route though), and I'm not pushing near as much extra weight as some of you (65lb load?! yikes!), but I guess even a gentle ride would count.
#27
Sumanitu taka owaci
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,945
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by Swoop
Thanks for the responses everyone. I realise the question may have seemed a bit silly to some of you, but thing is I don't "race" on my ride...
I'm positive that if you keep riding, you will see changes in your fitness more and more.
__________________
No worries
No worries
#28
Dazed and confused
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Cambridge UK
Posts: 319
Bikes: Trek 1000, Kona Caldera, Raleigh Record ("Rusty"), Tiger Foldaway ("Cub")
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Swoop
(I often stop for a quick breather... it is a hilly route though),
Mine is definitely exercise. And I really notice it when I don't do it too.
Ellie
#29
Sumanitu taka owaci
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,945
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by Ellie
Mine is definitely exercise. And I really notice it when I don't do it too.
__________________
No worries
No worries
#31
We drive on the left.
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 1,096
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
45km with 480m of climbing @+27kph, 3 days per week, sounds like exercise to me. 28miles, 1575feet @16.8 for non metric folk.
CHEERS.
Mark
CHEERS.
Mark
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vegas baby and now Denver too
Posts: 41
Bikes: Tommaso AS1 road, Novara MTB, Trek road,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I was treated for Lymphoma earlier this year. Started commuting 5 fairly flat miles to work a few weeks back. First day was gaspy sweaty, got off and walked twice. Took 40 mins. Last night I screamed home (ok maybe not screamed but it. only took 20 mins). So heck yes it's great exercise.
and OBTW, I love the way Lance rides, huge inspiration to me, but I think he's cluto in the sigificant other dept....not that you asked...
and OBTW, I love the way Lance rides, huge inspiration to me, but I think he's cluto in the sigificant other dept....not that you asked...
#33
Bike Happy
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Detroit, MI USA
Posts: 695
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I guess I am in the minority. I don't count cycling time as exercise. Technically it is I suppose but I don't log it, no particular planning takes place for it, rides are not structured into workouts, rides don't generally have a goal (other than moving from place to place). For example I don't do intervals, LT rides, sprints. If I look for a hill it is generally to zoom down it rather than to mash or spin up it. I do have some drills I use to improve pedal stroke, but I don't use them consistently. I am careful not to hammer too much on a rest day from another workout.
I guess I just ride for the fun of it and get my exercise elsewhere.
Dan
I guess I just ride for the fun of it and get my exercise elsewhere.
Dan
#34
Bikeman
Do I consider my commute as exercise? Actually I don't give it much thought but I hope it is, because other then a little cross country skiing in the winter I don't get much of any other excersize.
#37
Banned.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Home alone
Posts: 6,017
Bikes: Trek 4300 X 2. Trek 1000, Trek 6000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I guess I just ride for the fun of it and get my exercise elsewhere.
Dan
Maybe the question was whether you consider your commute to be exercise. While some may not consider it to be exercise I certainly think that it is.
#38
ld-cyclist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 380
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My favorite thing about my commute is a friend also commutes and every Friday we go out for lunch and do a 10 mile ride, stopping at a deli for a sandwitch and then stopping in a park...
It is a plesant break and a way to get the proper mindset for the weekend...
Oh yea, we usually kick it up a notch on a few streets
I do find that the commute, albeit slower than my weekend ride, does help keep the fat off...
It is a plesant break and a way to get the proper mindset for the weekend...
Oh yea, we usually kick it up a notch on a few streets
I do find that the commute, albeit slower than my weekend ride, does help keep the fat off...
#39
The Cycle of Life
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Ottawa, Kanukistan
Posts: 414
Bikes: Trek 520, Eclipse Carbon, Eclipse Al, Unknown Fixie.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
considering I lost 20 pounds from the beginning of august just from commuting with my bike to school, while still eating like a pig. YES my commute is an exercise. but i don't consider it as an exercise, just a way of my new life.
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Soviet of Oregon or Pensacola FL
Posts: 5,342
Bikes: Still have a few left!
Mentioned: 48 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 467 Post(s)
Liked 532 Times
in
267 Posts
Exercixe?
Definitely yes. I'm 63 & commute almost daily. My doctor (who is about my age) agrees & says I'm in better shape than he is. I had a abdominal surgery in February & was able to do some slow riding around my neighborhood beginning on day four. For about 3 weeks I rode my wife's mixte frame 10 speed with a Schwinn "pillow" type saddle on it. (Springs are your friend when on the mend) My surgeon said I made a really fast recovery & he was going to recommend cycling to anyone who had the guts to try it. Don
#41
Banned.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Home alone
Posts: 6,017
Bikes: Trek 4300 X 2. Trek 1000, Trek 6000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by ollo_ollo
Definitely yes. I'm 63 & commute almost daily. My doctor (who is about my age) agrees & says I'm in better shape than he is. I had a abdominal surgery in February & was able to do some slow riding around my neighborhood beginning on day four. For about 3 weeks I rode my wife's mixte frame 10 speed with a Schwinn "pillow" type saddle on it. (Springs are your friend when on the mend) My surgeon said I made a really fast recovery & he was going to recommend cycling to anyone who had the guts to try it. Don
Most people lay around and complain after surgery, while you seek the bike. That is awesome. My theory on exercise is that if you do something you are better than someone that does nothing. Most people in the USA do NOTHING . Statistics and the clientel at your local buffet will prove that.
I have never had a problem with weight but I have alway had a problem with physical laziness. I am 34 yrs old, 6'2" and 158 lbs. Last Christmas I was pushing 200lbs. I was just sitting in front of a computer all day and doing nothing. While some may look at my current measures as dangerously light, it is my natural weight. I weighed less than that when I graduated from high school.
I have eaten nothing but low fat since Feb. 2003 and have biked nearly every day since Aug '03. I hit my ideal weight strictly through diet but the 1000+ miles I have logged on the bike has helped me when looking in the mirror.
I'm not here to blow my horn. I am here to blow the horn of physical activity. Commuting to Work is physical activity and should be applauded. It doesn't matter if you consider it exercise or not. The fact is that you are better off for it.
Last edited by Portis; 12-05-03 at 08:07 PM.
#42
On your what?!?
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Lakewood, CO
Posts: 2,317
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Turbonium
<snip>.... just a way of my new life.
__________________
---
Former 340# Type 2 Diabetic.
My web site.
Proud member of Colorado's Best Cycling Club - Club Hypoxia
---
Former 340# Type 2 Diabetic.
My web site.
Proud member of Colorado's Best Cycling Club - Club Hypoxia
#43
One less car
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: The Berkshires, MA
Posts: 981
Bikes: '08 Soma Groove (commuter/long distance tourer), '97 Lemond Zurich (road commuter/tourer),'01 Seven Axiom Ti, '03 Look KG381i, '01 Santa Cruz Superlite X
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I do.. Sometimes I'll even time it and consider it a 10 mile time trial.
There's no difference from biking to work than spending 30-40 minutes in a spin class in a gym. (Except that it is 100 times more fun to be actually biking than spinning in place )
Jay
There's no difference from biking to work than spending 30-40 minutes in a spin class in a gym. (Except that it is 100 times more fun to be actually biking than spinning in place )
Jay
#45
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
You better believe it's exercise! It's 40 minutes out of my day, and probably the fastest ride I do all day.
If others can consider 10 minutes of gardening to be exercise anything more than that on my bicycle can also be considered exercise.
Of course, that's not usually all I do . . . .
If others can consider 10 minutes of gardening to be exercise anything more than that on my bicycle can also be considered exercise.
Of course, that's not usually all I do . . . .