Originally Posted by GeoKrpan

Climbing a big mountain, single speed, standing, 75 gear inches. You are doing one legged squats lifting the weight of your body and bike for hundreds of repetitions without rest.

Originally Posted by GeoKrpan

I was just reading about the geography of Ontario. It doesn't seem to have the climbing opportunities of Southern California. I can understand your point of view. I'm not trying to be mean or snide but it is likely that our experiences are much different. If there weren't so many hills and mountains around here I would probably be spending some time in a gym too.

Originally Posted by erig007

Does it really matter if it is the same workout or not? Unless you want to go into bodybuilding what matter is that your workout help you stay in shape and not lose bone density.

Doing squat you carry probably more weight on your back but don't do much load on your stabilizer and core muscles.

Anyway, this thread is about bone density not becoming Mr universe.

Originally Posted by wolfchild

Squats, deadlifts, overhead press, works out and strengthens your entire core, abs, and all of it's stabiliser muscles. It's your core that supports the weight of your body plus the weight of the barbell, it's not just your legs or your shoulders. Strong core/abs prevents back injuries when lifting something heavy, weak core is propably the No.1 cause of lower back injuries...And one last thing. I wasn't even talking about bodybuilding or looking like Mr Universe. I have absolutly no interest in looking like a bodybuilder. Strength training and bodybuilding are NOT the same thing.

Originally Posted by tjspiel

I'm not sure what you'd call that but it's not what I mean by a squat and it's not really strength training though I'm sure it's an excellent workout.

If you can do hundreds of squats with one leg, it means you're not lifting anywhere near enough weight to get the benefits that squats are intended to give you.

A true squat is you, a barbell, and some plates. No machines. A Barbell sits on your shoulders and is also supported by your arms. You lower the weight by bending your knees, hips, and ankles. You don't stop until your thighs are parallel to the floor which is often much lower than you think. There is controversy over how low you should really go but that's another discussion. Nothing you do on a bike is like this part of a squat.

You then raise the weights by extending your legs until you're standing upright. Some like to explode upward.

Squats are something I hate doing with a passion. It is very tempting to cheat. They suck, suck, suck. But they work.

Originally Posted by wolfchild

No we don't have mountains in Ontario... However I can assure you 100% that there are steep long hills out in some rural areas which you could never climb with your 75 gear inches.

Originally Posted by RidingMatthew

I dont worry about my bone density but I probably should. I just wonder how much mileage you really have to ride before it starts to effect you.
I have heard that weight lifting is the best way to combat bone density loss. I would think walking a lot would offset some of the potential for loss. For me personally, I usually go to the gym more in the winter months and ride more in the summer months. My gym only costs me $10 a month. I figure if I go 2-3 a month during the summer months I am getting my moneys worth. I do know that I can not lift like I did when I was consistantly lifting. I have to be careful to not overdo it. So to me biking does keep me in shape but it is a different kind of shape. My legs are stronger and core is pretty strong but my arms have gotten smaller since I am riding more than lifting.

Originally Posted by B. Carfree

I'm a high mileage cyclist (500,000 miles). I drove my heel bone through the tibia/fibula a decade ago. When the X-ray came up, the orthopedic surgeon, one of the team physicians for the Sacramento Kings, called the entire staff in to marvel at the densest bones he had ever seen. If I worry at all about bone density, it is to be concerned that I am dragging excess weight up every hill.

My take on it is this: bones will grow denser in response to damage. Damage is inflicted by stress. Most folks focus on muscle output or weight bearing as primary stress, but I think that may be mistaken. The stress that is relevant for weight-bearing activities for bone density is the micro-fracture causing slamming of the feet into the ground, such as is experienced in basketball. I think I get a similar level of stress by riding full out on crappy roads. The bike bounces, as do my lower legs.

It would be interesting to compare track cyclists' bone density to that of off-road racers, particularly if one can find off-roaders who have good form (less upper body use and more shock absorption from the legs). Maybe that can't be done anymore since the off-road folks are all on suspension bikes.