can anyone tell me what bike riding will do for me?

rosehips60

I know that I'm working my legs but what else (if anything) will firm up as a result of my new habit of riding my bike to and from work? I have about a 4 mile round trip with pretty steep hills at each end.

cwolfman13

It's good for your heart...it's primarily cardio so it's going to strengthen your heart. muscle wise you are primarily working your legs and glutes.

SueInAz

Your core might get a little stronger, too, but the primary benefits are going to be stronger legs, increased cardiovascular health and a greater calorie burn.

Justthisgirl1994

Well I don't usually ride a bike outdoors, but I do spin classes. If your gears and resistance is up high (fairly steep hills), then you'll work your glutes and thighs a lot. If you're out of the saddle, then your core will get a workout too. If you're doing a flat road ride then it's pretty much pure cardio.

rosehips60

Thanks everyone, I'm just one of those people who wants to know the details

Mmd1929

I think they're called Endorphins. It is what makes you feel good, happy, optimistic. The more I ride, the better I feel. Sometimes, when I get 10 miles into my ride and I want to go home instead of riding another 10 miles, that is my chant, "The more I ride, the better I feel." Then I push just one more mile, then one more, then one more. I'm 63 years old. Bike Riding makes me happy.

Sydking

love jumping on the BMX

Legs for sure, cardio and your *kitten* gets a good thrashing too depending how you ride

professionalHobbyist

You mentioned hills

Probably firm and build your thighs and booty.

Cardio for sure.

Endurance.

Maybe you will enjoy riding and do fun rides.

SBRRepeat

Mmd1929 wrote: »

I think they're called Endorphins. It is what makes you feel good, happy, optimistic. The more I ride, the better I feel. Sometimes, when I get 10 miles into my ride and I want to go home instead of riding another 10 miles, that is my chant, "The more I ride, the better I feel." Then I push just one more mile, then one more, then one more. I'm 63 years old. Bike Riding makes me happy.

Cosigned.
This is why I ride, y'all.

My quads look pretty great, too, and my resting HR dropped about 35 bpm, but mostly, cycling makes me really happy.

cheshirecatastrophe

Also, you get to brag about riding your bike to work.

And you save on gas money and car pollution!

In my case, it was also a gateway drug into road cycling. So that "gas money" business kind of went by the wayside when I started buying bike things. But it is soooo worth it.

starseedxo

bluefish86

It will get you from point A to point B, faster than walking.

Noogsofthenorth

You can arrive at many destinations

Panda_Path

1)Save on gas $$ if you are taking it to work (instead of driving). Oh yeah environmental stuff too.
2) Cardio exercise
3) fun

jacksonpt

Primary muscle groups are obviously your legs and glutes. Secondary muscles are core, shoulders, back and arms. How much those things get worked will somewhat depend on how you ride.

DopeItUp

You'll get good at riding a bike.

fishcat123

It's cardio but easier on your knees than running.

PrizePopple

My family just went to the Kiwanis bike shop last week and we all got bikes ("new" ones that are not too small for the kids). My oldest daughter and I have been out twice this week riding. Today we did nearly 6.5 miles out on the roads near our house. It's something we can all do together, which is a big thing for us.

kcjchang

Pretty much every muscle group but it will not necessary "bulk" muscle groups that is not the primary actor in performing the work.

Justthisgirl1994 wrote: »

Well I don't usually ride a bike outdoors... If you're doing a flat road ride then it's pretty much pure cardio.

Not really. Availability of oxygen is the primary determination and there is no such thing as pure aerobic (cardio) during exercise; anaerobic pathway usage is always part of the equation. You cannot trigger type I without trigger type II muscles, and vise versa. Sitting upright tends to be the default position on climbs. On flats, Cd is your biggest enemy and to go faster one need a more aerodynamic stance which place greater stress on the core with lesser stress to shoulders and arms (depending on your flexibility and how you are fitted to the bike). Even sitting upright, you are still relaying on your core for balance.

rosehips60

Mmd1929 wrote: »

I think they're called Endorphins. It is what makes you feel good, happy, optimistic. The more I ride, the better I feel. Sometimes, when I get 10 miles into my ride and I want to go home instead of riding another 10 miles, that is my chant, "The more I ride, the better I feel." Then I push just one more mile, then one more, then one more. I'm 63 years old. Bike Riding makes me happy.

I'm 54 and bike riding makes me happy too! I think it brings back memories of all the fun I had riding as a kid, it is still fun

csman49

It gives me a great excuse to wear bright lycra.

professionalHobbyist

csman49 wrote: »

It gives me a great excuse to wear bright lycra.

This

And the funny shoes with a weird bottom are an added bonus