Will riding a bike build up my calfs and thighs?

[Smr]

i was thinking of starting to ride a bike to work. Will this help develop my very small calf muscles and thighs

How far should I ride each day to get an amazing leg workout?

[intrepidfae]

It won't happen overnight, but cycling will result in better muscle tone and definition for your calves and thighs. You will also like what it does for your butt. Go to a cycling event, like the start of a sponsored ride, and look at most of the women there to see for yourself.

HTH

[beelnite]

Yes it will. It will also increase your flexibility and improve the circulation in your legs. Your whole body will benefit really.

But - be careful starting out, OK? There are two types of riding styles... a lot of people think they are adding to their workout by staying in high gear and just pushing hard on the pedals. Actually this is a great way to injure yourself.

Much better for you I think would be a "spinning" technique. What you do is shift up to speed and then drop down one gear so you can pedal easily - and a bit faster than you normally would. Try and keep your revolutions per minute at a good clip - you'll get a great aerobic workout which will burn calories and help you become lean and strong!

Powering up a hill or grinding at high speed is also beneficial but more anaerobic - so you will build some mass... but just be careful. Mix it up with the grind and spinning - do some interval stuff... can't help but stop and go on the way to work.

There are a lot of good books at the library, and maybe some online stuff you can check out. Look under "cycling" or "performance cycling". Eric Haar (pro cyclist) has a great book for beginners.

See you in the bike lane!

[JasmineC]

YES! very much

[MattMan]

Yes on both. Also keeps you from gaining unwanted pounds, will keep your health up, and allot other benefits too.
I been riding for 37 years.

[MattMan]

Yes on both. Also keeps you from gaining unwanted pounds, will keep your health up, and allot other benefits too.
I been riding for 37 years.

[onlymeMrG]

If you want to build up your calf and thigh muscles then forget 'Spinning' - 'cos it won't help!

Body builders don't lift teeny weights as fast as they can! - They train with heavy weights. The same principle applies to cycling.

The way to build muscle bulk is cycling short distances in a high gear preferably uphill.

If you just want a work out, then casual cycling for an hour or so, a couple of times a week should do the trick. Easy innit?

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