Zwift Chat

[Legs]

My primary fitness is still gym, building up the guns cycling is mostly for some cardio and keep keep some timber off. I may get out when the weather is better, but I hate riding in the rain or wind, so I won't be out this weekend
Quite a lot going on with life too so I don't have the time currently - my retirement didn;t quite take off yet, I'm back at a client for a few months to help deliver a project that was failing. I couldn't say no to the cash haha Girlfriend is moving in with me in August so lots of stuff to do to ge that sorted ... I need more hours in the day!

Was discussing this with some friends the other day. I'm not hugely blessed in the biceps department, I've never lifted a weight at a gym, but I really can't think of any practical tasks that I'm not strong enough to do. I helped a chap push his car up a hill last week, and we were being limited more by the grip on our shoes than by anything else. If I put on weight around my arms and shoulders (and, being an ectomorph, I'm not convinced I could), it wouldn't help me to do any of the things that I can do perfectly well already. I keep what muscles I do have actively used through cycling, running and other physical tasks like gardening.

On the other hand, I am fit. My friends who obsess over lifting weights in their pain caves, and getting bigger and heavier, seem to detest cardiovascular work. I can run 5k, cook and eat a soft-boiled egg or two in the time it would take them to run a 5k. They can't ride bikes fast because they are weighed down by their muscles and haven't developed their heart and lungs. They are going to be more prone to circulatory and respiratory illnesses in their old age.

I've got a beautiful wife who (amazingly) loves me for who I am, not for the size of my muscles, so I don't even feel the need to build up my guns through any misplaced notion that I need to resemble Johnny Bravo to attract a mate. And I don't think it's healthy to rate your own self-worth on the size of your arms. It's worrying and rather sad how awash the internet is with 'bigorexia' memes and body dysmorphia triggers.

 

[CXRAndy]

As we age, its beneficial to keep some muscular mass by doing some form weight training. The upsides stronger muscles, tendons and increased bone density.

Olly from GCN has added 5-7kg of muscle since doing gym work. He recognises loss of cycling peak performance especially climbing, but accepts this for the other benefits of having extra muscle mass as he ages (young 40yr old)

Ive always like having biceps, triceps and pectoral muscle development through weight training. I came late on life to cycling, but I do see the benefits of having a very good cardiovascular conditioning.

Its horses for courses, probably better to do both to maintain an overall good physique with decent cardio.

 

[JuhaL]

I really hope that Rouvy doesn't change much what it is now. I don't miss all those feature's what Zwift have, I think Rouvy have features enough. Hardware compatibility improvements are very welcome.

 

[CXRAndy]

Because they're different one is video of real routes the other virtual courses. They appeal to different interests.

As long as both are profitable, they will continue

 

[alex_cycles]

As we age, its beneficial to keep some muscular mass by doing some form weight training. The upsides stronger muscles, tendons and increased bone density.

Olly from GCN has added 5-7kg of muscle since doing gym work. He recognises loss of cycling peak performance especially climbing, but accepts this for the other benefits of having extra muscle mass as he ages (young 40yr old)

Ive always like having biceps, triceps and pectoral muscle development through weight training. I came late on life to cycling, but I do see the benefits of having a very good cardiovascular conditioning.

Its horses for courses, probably better to do both to maintain an overall good physique with decent cardio.

I used to enjoy the gym and hate cardio (I used to skip treadmill when It was on my program ). It wasn't until I started cycling in 2017 that I found a cardio activity that I actually enjoyed.
For a few years I did both, but cycling ramped up summer 2019 when I bought a road bike, then in 2020 COVID killed my gym and I've never been to look for a new one. Just don't want to be that close to a bunch of people indoors any more.

I do a very small amount of dumbell weights at home, but only just enough to prevent my shoulders from hurting. (Pretty sure what I'm doing is just maintaining the ligaments/tendons rather than building muscle though.) Shoulder pain was starting to become a problem until I started doing this. Now it really isn't. I guess it's just "joint maintenance".

I know I ought to run to help bone density, but I do so detest it. Running is what you do when chasing someone who just nicked your bike.

The main issue is, I think that going to the gym takes a significant amount of time. It's one of the reasons I fell into Zwifting and getting so fussy about outdoor weather. It's barely any effort or preparation and doesn't depend on the weather or light or busyness of the roads.

Having said that though. For volume work, outdoor is king.