biking & muscle loss

**Pinnacle** · 07-13-2002, 10:04 PM

I think this is the right section to post this question in. I am wondering about the best way to prevent muscle loss while biking (road riding). I spoke with a trainer and he told me that if I am starting to ride more frequently, I am most likely going to lose muscle mass in my upper body and get slightly larger legs (or they might stay the same).

The premise is that my body will be giving up it's muscle to supply the extra energy for the rides (the rides are 1.5-3 hours long, usually 2x/wk). Since I am working my quads while riding, the muscle most likely will not come from my legs, but since I will be doing nothing w/ my upper body, the muscle will be "stolen" from there.

He told me to make sure I am getting in all my nutrients and following my diet (he had made up a diet for me before I started riding). Any ideas on how to limit muscle wasting? Should I increase the amount of protein that I eat before I bike? I am taking glutamine after the rides, but I already feel like my shoulders/arms are getting smaller.

Thanks in advance for the input.

P.S. My goal with respect to BB is fat loss. I am 18% BF and have about 120 lb lean mass.

**Mudge** · 07-14-2002, 05:02 PM

Honestly, riding that much I think its inevitable that you'll have a slower coming muscular gain, as well as difficulty maintaining it. Even 20-30 minute sessions 3x a week, some people swear thier gains come slower, especially for completely natural lifters.

Not everyone is the same though, cardio effects different people, differently. For fat loss though I'm a believer in mixing weights with cardio, so I hope my words dont sound like a bad omen/garbage.

**Pinnacle** · 07-15-2002, 08:34 PM

Thanks for the reply. I kind of knew what I was in for as far as advice. I think it just sucks that, basically, if you want to get lean and maintain muscle mass, you can't do too much cardio. I mean bodybuilders are athletes aren't they? So what are we supposed to do on the weekends and in our free time (when we're not making food or sleeping)? Can't party, can't eat what everyone else does,...and we can't even go out and stay active w/ other people w/o the risk of negating all the hard work we've done( in the gym and with our diet) throughout the week. This sux

**Mudge** · 07-15-2002, 08:44 PM

It may not affect you that much, especially since its 2x a week and not 3+. Just natural though that when you try to do endurance excersizes, the body will want to dump weight.

I knew a guy that jogged about 5 miles every morning, and he was 5'8" and had probably around 18" arms, he was in great shape and had muscle to boot, so while it may not be optimal its not going to neccessarily rip off all your hard work. Not everyone reacts the same way as well, so who knows.

**crackerjack414** · 07-15-2002, 11:52 PM

This is going to go against every one else. Iam one of those genetic freaks who can run all the time and not lose muscle. I can't seem to gain muscle but thats a whole differnt story. I would still try to train upper body at least 1 time per week to help maintain your strength levels. I would also raise my complex carb intake.

**Mudge** · 07-16-2002, 03:50 AM

Originally posted by crackerjack414
can't seem to gain muscle but thats a whole differnt story.

Whats different? Even if very slow, with proper diet and training anyone should be able to gain muscle.

**crackerjack414** · 07-16-2002, 09:28 AM

I dont ever get all around gains. For me certain parts of my body gain muscle while others dont. For example my lower body is getting stronger, yet my upper body is the same.

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