I have recently decided to take up cycling t o lose weight..but having problems with the seat because my bum..

Question

hurts too much lol when i sit down..is there anything i can do to prevent this?!

Answer 1

yes buy you a wide gel seat and so you your butt want  get hurt you can buy one with rubber springs that absorb shock too!!!

Answer 2

Get a gel saddle, this'll help. It does make everyone's bum a little sore at first though, but don't give up you'll soon get used to it.

Answer 3

You don't say what type of seat or style of bike you have, but there is a chance the saddle isn't right for you. However, unless you are cycling more than 25 miles at a time I suspect it's mainly a question of getting used to it since most bikes come with seats appropriate for their type.

That said, do yourself a favour and buy some bike shorts. Ideally the spandex type with an artificial chamois pad (Always wear without underwear). They prevent chaffing and the padding helps protect the sensitive areas.

If you are not comfortable with the tight type there are mountain bike shorts that have a looser, "walking short" look to them, but still have a pad.

If shorts don't help you could consider a different seat. I don't recommend getting a cushy padded seat .. they might help the bum, but they are very inefficient to ride and can cause chaffing. But there are a wide variety of seats from minimalist featherweight models best for hard core racer types, to gel cushioned wide seats for cruiser bikes.

That all said, you are putting all your weight on a relatively small area, so some discomfort is inevitable until the tissue gets used to things.  get padded shorts, consider a new seat, but first and foremost continue to ride and (figuratively) develop the calluses.

Answer 4

I have the same problem....not wanting to spend money on a new comfier seat I fold up soft material and place it under my bum...once your sitting on it nobody knows it's there...works wonders.  still fat but very comfy..lol

Answer 5

Wider seats aren't always the answer as you shouldn't be supporting your weight with Muscles and non-muscle mass (Fat). You should support your weight with your "Sit Bones." There is a shift with many seat manufacturers over the past 10 years to cut out parts of the seat so to alleviate pressure on your nerves in between your sit bones and focus the pressure to where the body has something to deal with supporting your weight.

Depending on your goals and how overweight you are, there are many options to choose from:

First, look at a "Gel" seat as these have a very nice, soft feel to them. Again, don't go for the biggest, go for the one best suited for your riding. A "Hybrid" style will suit most people who are recreational riders. A "Cruiser" saddle will only be good if you are running to the neighborhood grocery store a block away. If you ride it for a few miles, you may get sores on the inside of your thigh caused by friction. This is know as chafing.

Second, if you ride more or are looking for something to put miles on, look at seats from companies like Specialized, Terry, Bontrager, Serfas, and so on. Specialized, Bontrager, and Serfas all have either a 30 day or 90 day ride guarantee on them and this is important that you use this to your advantage. I am not sure if Terry has this, sorry.

What you need to do is not ride the seat one time for two miles and quit, you need to put a few miles on it over time so that your body gets "used" to using your sit bones again. While doing this, invest in some baggy cycling shorts. Again, not knowing your size, you may be more comfortable in "normal" looking shorts and these will fit the bill as they look normal but have a pad inside the short where you feel the discomfort. There are specific shorts for both genders since our anatomies are different and we need padding in different places.

Don't give up riding, just go to a bike shop and ask for some suggestions. A good shop will direct you to comfort rather than performance clothes and accessories. Have fun!

Answer 6

you can buy a padded seat that just loops onto your saddle.  it looks like a seat and is made of gel. (about £20 from cycle shops or check ebay)

i use one for spinning class it is brilliant

also you need to build up your bottom muscles too and get them used to the seat..  (just like rowers get the skin on their hands used to rowing, or they get sore skin and blisters)

Answer 7

If you are overweight, perhaps a wider saddle would help support you better.