Anyone else get burned out on exercise?

[Heavy Metal]

I took a week off this week to do my tendons and joints a favor. I try and take one off every 6-8 weeks and once a year, usually over vacation, I take two even though I know I am going to have Hell to pay the following week.

[ABNAK]

Lots of good advice in this thread so I'll just add some fluff. Whatever your doing, make sure you SQUAT, real squats. Not leg presses either.

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LOL! Biking for 105+ minutes a week is an awesome leg workout. My quads aren't like Tom Platz but they sure as hell ain't chicken legs either! I'm a little thicker than most bikers you'll see as I'm carting 230lbs around. Been doing it for almost 9 years now on a regular basis and it kills two birds with one stone......cardio and leg work. Guess it would be more akin to a push-up routine vs. bench pressing. You'll not have the raw power of the weight exercise but you will have strength and muscle endurance.

[jpmuscle]

If your squatting properly your not using your quads, atleast not all that much. Its all posterior chain ie glutes, hamstrings, etc. Most people don't.

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[ABNAK]

If your squatting properly your not using your quads, atleast not all that much. Its all posterior chain ie glutes, hamstrings, etc. Most people don't.

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Yeah, I don't get the ham work out of biking that I should, ay least not as much as quads (do get a little with the "pull" as my feet are held in place by a "cage" that allows for both a push and a pulling motion). Glutes either. Some leg curls wouldn't hurt. Now that I have a newer bike and have the foot "cage" to prevent the feet from slipping off the pedal I also am finding my calves getting hit too; they hold my feet on the pedals right at the ball of the foot as opposed to centering your foot.

***"Cage" isn't the right term. The proper one eludes me at the moment***

I know in the winter when I bike in my basement on the trainer I have a hard time walking up the stairs afterward as my legs (especially the quads) are smoked!

Your post got me curious and I Googled "bicycling legs" and looked at the images. Some of those Olympic-level, professional bikers have MONSTER legs. Kinda funny 'cause usually their upper bodies are waaayyy out of proportion!

[jpmuscle]

I rest my case...lol

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[Vic303]

ABNAK, for more hamstring involvement on a bike, you need to upgrade to clipless pedals and the shoes to go with.

[ABNAK]

ABNAK, for more hamstring involvement on a bike, you need to upgrade to clipless pedals and the shoes to go with.

Yes, toe clips was the term I was looking for!

I went with the clips as I'm not fond of the idea of having my feet "locked" into the pedals. At least with the clips I can slide a foot out to the rear if I need to, but I'm leery of the locking shoe/pedal combo.

[Vic303]

Yes, toe clips was the term I was looking for!

I went with the clips as I'm not fond of the idea of having my feet "locked" into the pedals. At least with the clips I can slide a foot out to the rear if I need to, but I'm leery of the locking shoe/pedal combo.

Actuially...if your toe clips are strapped down tight like they are meant to be, then clipless pedals and shoes are far safer, offering better power transfer, and no-hands release by rotating the heel to the release point. Some pedals have more "float" (rotational movement allowed prior to release) to allow for knee/foot msalignments. Also in the event of a crash, they do release.

There is a short learning curve where you may pull an Artie Johnson (fall over from a stop), but you will learn fast to unclip before you fall. I prefer MTB shoes over road shoes for being able to walk in them but not walk on the cleats.