Help please with this cycling class question!?

Question

As of last week, i began to take hour long cycling classes at 24 hour fitness for three days a week. I've really been enjoying them but ive had a few questions i cant seem to get answered! First off, how much more effective is cycling over running? ( as in is the calorie burn greater?)

Will my leg muscles bulk up alot if i continue at this rate? (this is something im trying to AVOID ) and Im trying to shed pounds and inches in my inner thighs, butt and stomach and hip area so is this a good workout for this or will i just end up bulking up?

Thanks for the help and i would appreciate honest, helpful answers!

Answer 1

you do use all muscles, when bicycling. yes, the legs will muscle up. plus, its you burn more calories, than running.

Answer 2

Spinning is the way to go!!! The calorie burn is about the same.  As for shedding pounds, you will.  You will lose inches in the inner thighs, butt, and hips, since the fat will be burned off and replaced with toned muscle.  As for the stomach, try doing crunches.  Good luck!  Most of all have FUN!!!

Answer 3

Your body only knows what heart-rate it is working at, and how long you ask it to hold that leave. Basically, it doesn't matter what you do if you go hard. I have burned over 1000 calories in one spin class. I work very hard, staying near my maximum heart rate for the whole class.

Have you ever seen a cyclist with huge legs? Not really, cycling is an aerobic activity and will generally make you thinner, not bulkier. If you want to loose fat all you need to do is burn more calories than you eat. I keep a food journal and add up all my calories. I also have a heart-rate monitor that calculates my calorie burn during my workouts. Keep it up you will see the results you are looking for!!!

Answer 4

It is exceptionally unlikely that you will bulk up.  Cycling is a high energy burn cardiovascular activity.  If you wanted to bulk your legs, doing squats (heavy weights, low reps) would be the way to do it, but cycling is basically the opposite, doing lighter loads with a ton of reps.  The bigger concern is suffering injury if you do not have proper position and seat height, as some of the spin instructors tend to do unsafe things (too heavy of loads or silly high rpm spins).  Best to get a heart rate monitor and keep your rpm range between 75 and 125, in my opinion.  The HRM will help you to work out in your correct heart rate zones rather than just using perceived exertion as your guide.