Fit Past 40

[Des of Anerley BC]

No that's not 40 mph, but 40 years of age! Is cycling enough to keep us fit? Well no, at least not according to the "experts". As we get older (and I have already passed the Biblical 3 score plus 10) we need to do more than just twiddle the pedals! So I have put pen to paper, or in this modern age, finger to key board, to collate this http://anerleybc.org/get-fit-not-fat/

 

[cyberknight]

I have a physical job,do a strength circuit a couple of times a week , 2 young children and average 150 miles a week ...
i have not got the energy or time to be unfit

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I'm almost 50, got 3 x 14 hours shift in a trot next week (not at a desk), will I be cycling to work?
Yes! No time to wait for buses

 

[lulubel]

It depends what you call "twiddling the pedals". If it covers 2,000ft+ climbs up rocky mountain trails, then I'm doomed to a future of osteoporosis and sarcopenia.

 

[Davidc]

Worth remembering that if you do a couple of hours walking &/or cycling &/or swimming a week, and you're over 50, that you're in the top few percent of the population for exercise and probably fitness.

After that you can look at whether or not your exercise regime meets the ideals suggested by the experts, but you're already helping yourself avoid many of the modern ailments of the physically idle.

I've heard of sarcopenia, but have also read that we should be able to build additional muscle until at least into our 80s. This confuses me - which is right!

 

[Des of Anerley BC]

I've heard of sarcopenia, but have also read that we should be able to build additional muscle until at least into our 80s. This confuses me - which is right!

Sarcopenia is not new, just a new word coined by medics who love to use Greek words.
For those like me, for whom Greek is a foreign language, I am told that it means loss of flesh or something similar. We know it better as age related loss of muscle tissue. This naturally leads a loss of strength/power. So that's why hills get steeper as we get older.
God bless the inventor of the granny ring!
We cannot stop the effects of sarcopenia as the body clock never stops ticking. But we can slow down the process. The best way is by adding strength training to our exercise regimes, plus a healthy diet.

 

[Des of Anerley BC]

It depends what you call "twiddling the pedals". If it covers 2,000ft+ climbs up rocky mountain trails, then I'm doomed to a future of osteoporosis and sarcopenia.

Hi or should that be "High". So you are a Spanish mountain goat. You will recognise the Spanish flag that I am holding (look left!).
That was 2010 in the Picos de Europa mountains. This year we make a return visit to northern Spain. After a series of ridges we reached the highest one at 1146 metres, quite a bit higher than Ben Nevis. See photo below.
They say "no pain, no gain", well we suffered 3 weeks of this but the gain was over £7000 for the South East Cancer Charity. Hence the bike jerseys that we were wearing.

 

[Boon 51]

It depends what you call "twiddling the pedals". If it covers 2,000ft+ climbs up rocky mountain trails, then I'm doomed to a future of osteoporosis and sarcopenia.

Looks like I'm with you then...

 

[briantrumpet]

We cannot stop the effects of sarcopenia as the body clock never stops ticking. But we can slow down the process. The best way is by adding strength training to our exercise regimes, plus a healthy diet.

I'd rather just ride the bike more, and definitely no "twiddling" - do that in Devon and you'll go backwards.

 

[Ian H]

...you'll go backwards.

Now there's a skill I haven't yet mastered.

 

[Bay Runner]

I'd rather just ride the bike more, and definitely no "twiddling" - do that in Devon and you'll go backwards.

And South Wales

 

[Fasta Asloth]

Hi or should that be "High". So you are a Spanish mountain goat. You will recognise the Spanish flag that I am holding (look left!).
That was 2010 in the Picos de Europa mountains. This year we make a return visit to northern Spain. After a series of ridges we reached the highest one at 1146 metres, quite a bit higher than Ben Nevis. See photo below.
They say "no pain, no gain", well we suffered 3 weeks of this but the gain was over £7000 for the South East Cancer Charity. Hence the bike jerseys that we were wearing.

Hmmm, Ben Nevis has shrunk quite a bit since the last time I climbed it, maybe to do with its old age......

 

[briantrumpet]

Now there's a skill I haven't yet mastered.

Maybe you need one of these:

 

[Peteaud]

I am way fitter now in my mid 40,s than i ever was in my 30,s, and probably late 20,s as well.

 

[Ian H]

Maybe you need one of these:

[media...]

One of these is more aerodynamic: http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=29084