Bike riding outdoors

martyc91
martyc91 Posts: 55
edited October 1 in Fitness and Exercise
How good is bike riding outdoors for your abs? I am trying to get some ab work in as I have a little belly that I can not get rid of, looking for some non strenuous exercises to tone up that area of my body as I have a bad back!

Replies

  • annabaloo
    annabaloo Posts: 12
    I know it's really good for your glutes, but I'm not sure about abs. I've been going for bike rides outdoors and have noticed the biggest difference in my thighs and glutes.
  • ctlinj7
    ctlinj7 Posts: 151 Member
    Your core should be engaged and sitting in proper position, not hunched over , etc. If your core's engaged you are strengthening your abs...now it won't help develop those "cut" abs but any exercise you do your abs should be engaged! Keep up the good work, I just got a new bike for my birthday and have been riding daily!
  • nurseaim
    nurseaim Posts: 146
    Try Jillian Michael's 6 wk to 6 pack abs. This is really helping a lot of people, but it is a little strenuous. However, you can tweek the exercises to help
  • yeabby
    yeabby Posts: 643 Member
    I don't know how much riding itself works abs. While I ride I focus on flexing my abs and that does leave me a bit sore. I would think that it may depend on what type of bike you ride (how much you lean over, cruiser, road, mountain) and how long/strenuous the ride.
  • dragonbug300
    dragonbug300 Posts: 760 Member
    It works some stability muscles, and it'll certainly burn calories. It's not going to work your abdominal muscles much, though.

    What sorts of activities hurt your back? I'm a fitness instructor and I get a lot of questions about abdominal routines for many kinds of 'bad backs'.
  • Bretto
    Bretto Posts: 196 Member
    Good core strength can actually help you be a better bike rider, but I don't think it really improves your core significantly, but I may be wrong.

    Actually swimming would be a great exercise to work your core. And it is not stenuous either. It gives you a great all over workout.
    Helps to lengthen and strengthen you body all in one.
  • janet_pratt
    janet_pratt Posts: 747 Member
    Biking does help with the core somewhat, I've noticed that over the years, as I've been riding, I ride more with my core tight and that my power kind of seems to come from there. And cardio will help burn fat. For general toning exercise, you might try some of these. They are specifically for people with back issues.

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/18490-abdominal-exercises-not-hurt-back/
  • christy_frank
    christy_frank Posts: 680 Member
    I have recently started riding bike and other than cardio, which burns fat, I do not see any benefit to the abs.
  • 46and2
    46and2 Posts: 167
    I don't know the limitations you have on your back but I did this workout yesterday and it's a great core workout. If you can't do the crunches, work on some of the other stuff you can do. This is something you can do in your living room. Hope this helps.

    http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/ultimate-medicine-ball-workout?cm_mmc=DailyDoseNL-_-657460-_-08082011-_-body
  • Flyntiggr
    Flyntiggr Posts: 898 Member
    I ride mountain bikes, and it definately works your core muscles. When I road ride, it engages them, but I don't think as much.
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