Does anyone exercise to improve riding skills

[DanDare]

I got talking about WSB and the fitness regime that most racers undertake to be able to ride.

I wondered if anyone here does any exercise to able to help them ride better.

I run about 15 miles a week and found I am more alert and not so knackered on a long ride.

[Muttley]

Last year I was a regular down the gym, not training for riding but trying to shed a few stone and generally increase my fitness.

Like you I found that as my fitness levels increased I felt more alert, not so tired after a ride. I also found it easier to move about on the bike, not exactly hanging off but leaning in to the bends and such. But then the benefits of regular exercise could be seen in manner of other everyday ways, not so out of breath after taking the stairs at work, smaller waist sized jeans, etc :)

Unless you are a racer I very much doubt there is much point to training for riding, although the everyday benefits are worth do it anyway.

Having said that last time I was at the gym was about 3 months ago, time to cancel the membership I think and take up cycling. :)

[Law]

Nope, all the girls think I'm already fit. :lol:

Seriously though does it really help? What do you class as a long ride? Also I don't want to lose weight as I'm already 8 stone 8 and already find it hard to find clothes that fit me.

[empty]

Nope, all the girls think I'm already fit. :lol:

Seriously though does it really help? What do you class as a long ride? Also I don't want to lose weight as I'm already 8 stone 8 and already find it hard to find clothes that fit me.

8 stone 8 :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

Do you blow away when there is a strong breeze?

MT (12 stone and counting...)

[Law]

Nope, all the girls think I'm already fit. :lol:

Seriously though does it really help? What do you class as a long ride? Also I don't want to lose weight as I'm already 8 stone 8 and already find it hard to find clothes that fit me.

8 stone 8 :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

Do you blow away when there is a strong breeze?

MT (12 stone and counting...)

Bear in mind I am also short at 5' 4" so that makes me Pedrosa in size and weight.

Yeah, I do find it hard to keep the bike straight in a crosswind.

[Steve H]

Law, Bloody Hell, that must give you about the same power to weight ratio as me on a GSXR. :wink:

[haggis]

I find that regularly scooping pints down the pub is perfect for building clutch and front brake grip. :wink:


Just remember to swap your glass-holding arm every other round for equalised dexterity and power.

[Biker Biggles]

That's my new year resolution (regularly for the last ten years) :oops:
I have now decided that a bit of weight is useful for helping to control an unwieldy bike with a strong mind of it's own. :lol:

[Demonz]

Nope, all the girls think I'm already fit. :lol:

Seriously though does it really help? What do you class as a long ride? Also I don't want to lose weight as I'm already 8 stone 8 and already find it hard to find clothes that fit me. :shock: Man you need to eat more - you should've taken that other half of my sandwich the other night.

I'd rather be out riding on my bike rather than spending time excercising. Time is precious during the summer.

[DanAbnormal]

Well I've always been into weight training and I like to run a lot too. I never thought it could have much of an impact on my riding other than brute strength, afterall I managed to pickup my VFR800 by myself after I'd binned it, but when I had a big accident a few years back the doc's said that because I was in good shape it helped lots with recovery time. I think generally speaking fitness improves many aspects of our life, plus it means that I mayl live longer so can spend more time on a bike which can only be a good thing! Shame my missus doesn't see it that way!

[ArtyLady]

I actually found that riding my bike kept me fit (all that man handling and me being a weak girlie an all that :wink: ) since I havent ridden Ive become a weakling :cry:

Im now working on getting fit for when I start riding again (yoga, walking, and dancing \:D/ )

[stuartyboy]

Wrist excercises and thinking about Girls does it for me

[johnnyrod]

I'm with Dan, I don't do anything specifically for biking but just try to keep my hand in generally. Exceptions are the dropping it scenario, and a day's motocrossing, you need a bit of fitness to go the distance there! Will one day find a use for on-bike karate...

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

I do general cardio and weights, though have just started using the hip adduction machine so I can grip the tank better with thighs of steel. or something.

[Demonz]

Will one day find a use for on-bike karate... Karate chop to take off side mirrors and riding side kick into doors are both obvious uses :wink: .

[Razor]

I keep a foam rubber ball in the car. When I'm stuck in traffic I squeeze it to relieve stress and strengthen my clutch hand. That's the only bike related exercise I do.
I have a cross training machine but mostly it's just a damn fine clothes horse :roll:

[wyrdness]

I go to the gym 3-4 times a week, if possible. I'm doing mostly cross-trainer and exercise bike, as my leg & hip are a bit too buggered for running at the moment (hopefully the cute blonde physio at work will sort this out). I'm fighting a losing battle against weight. A few years ago I was under 11 stone, now I'm over 12.5.
Being fit certainly helps when picking up dropped bikes. When I had my Harley, I dropped it whilst cleaning it and managed to pick it up on my own. It weighed 271Kb (dry weight). Compare that to a K5 SV650 which is 165Kg - the Harley is 16.5 stone heavier.

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

Karate chop to take off side mirrors

I thought that's what the bar weights were for?

[Davido]

You want exercise? Who needs it in the heatwave we've been having recently.

Just sit in traffic in full leathers for a few hours and time how long it takes for you to pass out.

keep trying to improve your personal best.

Then again, I'm one to talk about fitness. I'm 5'10 and roughly (according to google)

87.5 kilograms = 13.7788914 stone

[DanAbnormal]

Then again, I'm one to talk about fitness. I'm 5'10 and roughly (according to google)

87.5 kilograms = 13.7788914 stone

I would not worry about this mate. I am 5'8 and weigh just over 13 stone yet have very little body fat. According to experts though I am almost obese!

[tricky]

I've regularly exercised since I was about 17.

I normally swim 1000m breast stroke (non-stop) twice a week, one session with weights and run about 3 or 4 miles (the old legs aren't what they used to be).

Don't find it helps that much with biking but it does enable me to consume fairly large quantities of beer and crisps without getting fat.

I've entered a twinshock enduro which is next month which should be a good workout !

[DanDare]

Then again, I'm one to talk about fitness. I'm 5'10 and roughly (according to google)

87.5 kilograms = 13.7788914 stone

I would not worry about this mate. I am 5'8 and weigh just over 13 stone yet have very little body fat. According to experts though I am almost obese!

This whole BMI is crap if you ask me. I'm 6'2 and just short of 17st and I'm clinically obese. They don't take the shape or frame into account. Everyones different. I have very broad shoulders and large build. Hence my weight.

[johnnyrod]

Yep, BMI is for skinny people, don't think it is held in very high regard any more