Weight Lifting for Riding Fitness

[Charlie Bravo_imp]

A lot of truth here. I walk, ride my bicycle, and do some yoga, although none of that helped a few weeks ago when I dropped my BMW R1100RT while it was parked on the side of the road. I could not pick it up. Luckily for me, this little Latin gal came along and we were able to get the shiny side up again.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I tell ya, if you have it - snow shoveling, and a lot of it. No snow thrower. Just get out and do it by hand.

Not for the weak-hearted ... and I mean that passionately. If your heart is weak to begin with, then it is not recommended.

With disciplined lift and cadence, the mass builds and reinforces upper body torque and useful muscle tissue. In addition, it reinforce muscles to support the back.

Example: A case point using the driveway, I typically clear it before my neighbour's when they use a snow thrower, and my driveway is two to three times larger in area. I also push half the snow to the end of the driveway, rather than to the side. When I was younger, I could not do this.

I use to have back issues, but don't anymore. I credit the regime for shoulder support on a downhill, high-side *slam*. Something should have broken, but did not (well, except pieces of the bike and helmet). The initial point of impact was the shoulder.

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Anyway, you get a cleared property without the noise and fossil fume pollution, ... and the CB and its stable mates can ride across with little drama. The only negatives I have had thus far are numerous broken shovels, even good quality ones, and a few instances of too much heavy snow requiring triple clearing in 24 hours. (*phew!*)

Any sort of muscle toning regime cannot be bad for anyone at any age. Just do it, especially if you are going to use it.

[Stichill_imp]

For me, this weight lifting is part of an overall life makeover. I decided to become more intentional in the way I'm living my life vs. just kind of going with the flow and reacting to life as it comes at me. I'm working on getting myself in better shape mentally, physically, financially, emotionally, and socially. Not that I'm a complete basket case or anything, but we can all improve ourselves and get better. We just have to get the motivation and make the commitment to doing it.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Sounds very motivating and positive Stichill. In addition, it could possibly add "insurance" to one's health while enjoying it to the fullest possible.

[Stichill_imp]

Just an update on my strengthlifting program. I'm going up in weight cautiously, but I'm now squatting and deadlifting more than my body weight. My weakest lifts are overhead press and bench press, but those are coming along as well.

Physiologically, I've noticed these tangible changes:
[ul] [li]Reduced cholesterol level / doctor ordered cut in anti-cholesterol medicine (statin) in half from 10 mg to 5 mg[/li] [li]Sounder, deeper sleep, longer sleep[/li] [li]Higher energy level[/li] [li]Brisker walking pace[/li] [li]Better balance and coordination[/li] [li]Reduced fatigue at the tops of stairs[/li] [li]Increased useful strength for everyday tasks (hauling 50# bags of bird seed, carrying luggage, racking ladder in the garage, etc.)[/li] [li]Better mental outlook / mood / optimism / self-confidence[/li] [li]Appetite for protein-rich foods, reduced desire for junk food and fast food[/li] [li]Ability to eat 500 more calories per day while still losing 1 lb. / 0.45 kg per month[/li] [li]Use of hand and power tools with more precision, control, and power[/li] [li]More confidence in being able to handle the aging process physically
[/li][/ul]
Really looking forward to seeing how this will positively impact riding a motorcycle in terms of fatigue level and muscle soreness.

[GoldOxide_imp]

These are really stellar responses to your regime Stich. Congratulations on making it return value. I have no doubt your ride experiences will benefit.

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Personally, one advantage of bulking up a wee bit is insurance in case one goes down. I had this happen. I should have broke my collar bone and maybe something in the hip area, but I did not. The upper body "bulk" allowed me to brace for impact. For sure I thought something was broken, but I was able to shake it off in about 20 minutes. I had some wicked bruising, but was essentially riding immediately after and thereafter with a somewhat shattered bike.

[Stichill_imp]

Thanks for the encouragement, GO! That's very interesting regarding resilience to going down...if it's all the same to you, I won't be attempting it even for the sake of science!

[Blockhead_imp]

Sounds like you have a good thing going, Stichill, good for you! We are the same age. Speaking from experience I must say, be careful with the overhead exercises, you don’t want a rotator cuff injury, trust me. I’m three weeks post-op from shoulder surgery and it’s a brutal recovery as many will attest to.

[Stichill_imp]

Good advice, Blockhead. Best of luck for a speedy rebound from your surgery!

[the Ferret]

Sounds like you have a good thing going, Stichill, good for you! We are the same age. Speaking from experience I must say, be careful with the overhead exercises, you don’t want a rotator cuff injury, trust me. I’m three weeks post-op from shoulder surgery and it’s a brutal recovery as many will attest to.

My right shoulder surgery recovery was brutal. It was 6 months before I could draw a hunting weight bow and a year before it felt normal.

Not over head exercises for me, but a life time of bow shooting. The equivalent of bench presses.

Just be sure and keep it up once you start lol