Why are there so many cyclists with potbellies?
05-03-16, 07:33 PM
#326
Senior Member
This is getting comical. Hey Paul, you feeling all the man love coming at ya yet?
05-03-16, 07:41 PM
#327
Jet Jockey
Why do I sometimes get dropped like a bad habit by cyclists with potbellies? It's embarrassing, and makes me self conscious about my slim, 140lb body. At my speed, I should obviously have a potbelly.
05-04-16, 10:19 AM
#328
Senior Member
I think you could say it is just life. Not everyone who cycles is a boy racer wana be.
05-04-16, 02:27 PM
#329
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Been riding 35 seasons and have averaged over 6,000 miles per year. 8,000 the last few seasons.
So, I saw my doctor today and she wants me to lose 20-30# by the next appointment in 6 months.
I think I might officially have a potbelly.
So, I saw my doctor today and she wants me to lose 20-30# by the next appointment in 6 months.
I think I might officially have a potbelly.
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05-04-16, 03:16 PM
#331
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05-04-16, 03:23 PM
#333
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True story, I was down to 207 but not fast and felt weak. That was mostly due to eating rabbit food or like a bird. Now, I eat what ever I want and gained 8 lbs, but guess what.... my speed is here as is my stamina and endurance.
Try eating like a cyclist and not so much worried about weight. Food fuels the body and if there is no fuel, you go slower... just like a car
05-04-16, 03:27 PM
#334
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One of these recently opened up near home. 
I've noticed I'm moving more towards a pear shape...
I've noticed I'm moving more towards a pear shape...
05-04-16, 03:30 PM
#335
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Endurance cycling leads to atrophied muscles and weak bones. You lose a lot of calcium when you sweat, and your muscles can't grow when you sit on a bike saddle all day.
You need to engage in weight bearing and weight resistance exercises to maintain or increase muscle strength and bone density.
Just going for a walk (weight bearing) and doing push ups and sit ups is better for overall health than cycling for hours at a time.
You need to engage in weight bearing and weight resistance exercises to maintain or increase muscle strength and bone density.
Just going for a walk (weight bearing) and doing push ups and sit ups is better for overall health than cycling for hours at a time.
05-04-16, 03:32 PM
#336
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I've always wondered about this phenomenon. I have a fast metabolism and don't drink so I've been slim and @160lbs for the last 30 years. Couldn't get a potbelly if I wanted to. But I see guys on charity/group rides, club members who ride all the time and they keep their freaking potbelly. They usually wear club cut jerseys with loose sleeves but it doesn't hide anything. No, they usually aren't that fast but if someone rides all the time how does the potbelly not get burned off? Heavy drinking maybe?
Mountain biking with a lot of climbing is better for upper body strength, but probably not a great workout either in that regard.
05-04-16, 03:38 PM
#337
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05-05-16, 02:33 PM
#339
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I've seen these guys especially on local crits CAT4/5.. was making fun of one and he reminded me i had a pot belly just last year 
05-05-16, 04:28 PM
#340
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A lot of people I've met don't seem to realise that you only need to start changing your diet if you are riding for multiple hours every day. Plenty of people who I go on rides with cram protein and energy bars on a 1-1.5 hour ride, which is ridiculous. Especially since they stop for pints and burgers at the end.
05-06-16, 09:34 PM
#342
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I don't think that age has anything ti do with pot bellies or that life 'builds up around the waist', but.
I still have a belly because I drink lots of beer. Cycling facilitates boozing, hence the pot bellies.
I still have a belly because I drink lots of beer. Cycling facilitates boozing, hence the pot bellies.
05-07-16, 05:21 AM
#344
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Because eating and riding are both awesome!
05-07-16, 07:05 AM
#345
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05-08-16, 08:37 AM
#346
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Cycling does NOT increase your metabolism, unless you are talking about HIIT or sprint training. Lifting weight does though (slightly).
Lifting weight increases your lean mass, which (slightly, but still significantly) increases your resting metabolic rate. Cardio, such as steady state cycling, does NOT increase your resting metabolic rate, even though it burns more calories than lifting, while you are doing the cardio itself. The problem is that most people will also eat more when they do more cardio, which makes it awash.
An increase in your lean mass, even though it doesn't directly decrease fat tissue mass, does increase your overall body weight. Increasing overall body weight without a corresponding fat mass increase leads to lower body fat % mathematically.
Lifting weight increases your lean mass, which (slightly, but still significantly) increases your resting metabolic rate. Cardio, such as steady state cycling, does NOT increase your resting metabolic rate, even though it burns more calories than lifting, while you are doing the cardio itself. The problem is that most people will also eat more when they do more cardio, which makes it awash.
An increase in your lean mass, even though it doesn't directly decrease fat tissue mass, does increase your overall body weight. Increasing overall body weight without a corresponding fat mass increase leads to lower body fat % mathematically.
05-08-16, 02:12 PM
#349
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I can outeat any activity even if I train hard 12 hours a day. They do the same, their intake is just not low enough to support weight loss and getting rid of a potbelly.
05-08-16, 02:56 PM
#350
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Take a look at the ride speed / level.
Our bike club has a, b, and c rides (with some a/b and b/c rides as well).
You see a ton of potbellies on "c" rides.
Some potbellies on "b" rides.
Pretty much no potbellies on "a" rides.
It's possible to burn a ton of calories biking, but it's also possible to bike at a slower efficient pace that isn't that strenuous.
Our bike club has a, b, and c rides (with some a/b and b/c rides as well).
You see a ton of potbellies on "c" rides.
Some potbellies on "b" rides.
Pretty much no potbellies on "a" rides.
It's possible to burn a ton of calories biking, but it's also possible to bike at a slower efficient pace that isn't that strenuous.