Slimming down legs

[MartinGT]

Hi all

I have been cycling for 16 years now, the majority of it was on MTB and now for the last few years on the road.

I currently cycle approx 150 miles a week, the bulk of that is taken up by a 15 mile commute. The other is made up of midweek MTB ride with a club and then weekend Road / MTB rides.

I have quite muscular legs and would like to trim them down and also my weight a tad.

I have started spinning a lot more now I have a computer with cadance capabilities, keeping it above 95rpm.

Is there anything else I could try? I dont want to destroy the climbing capabilities I have, I aint no Bertie, but consider myself a decentish climber.

Thanks

 

[TERMINATOR]

Hi all

I have been cycling for 16 years now, the majority of it was on MTB and now for the last few years on the road.

I currently cycle approx 150 miles a week, the bulk of that is taken up by a 15 mile commute. The other is made up of midweek MTB ride with a club and then weekend Road / MTB rides.

I have quite muscular legs and would like to trim them down and also my weight a tad.

I have started spinning a lot more now I have a computer with cadance capabilities, keeping it above 95rpm.

Is there anything else I could try? I dont want to destroy the climbing capabilities I have, I aint no Bertie, but consider myself a decentish climber.

Thanks

Climbing big hills on a routine basis will help trim the fat. Riding 15 miles/day on flat roads won't cut it. Eat less too.

 

[MartinGT]

Climbing big hills on a routine basis will help trim the fat. Riding 15 miles/day on flat roads won't cut it. Eat less too.

Well, that one I know for a fact.

I am 5'9.5" (yes that .5" is important ) and weigh 68kg so I am far from chubby

So hill repeats? Will this trim down my legs?

 

[durianrider]

Trim down your ALREADY lean legs? lol!

Do you want to be a cross dresser or a better rider?

Focus on health and fitness vs trying to change your body to defy its positive genetic make up.

Some people have more muscle on their legs. Look at Cadel, Lance etc vs Contador, Schlek's etc.

If Lance tried to slim down to Schlek's calf diameter, he couldnt ride well and if Schlek tried to up it to Lance's diameter, he couldnt ride well either.

 

[JayKosta]

The other option is to buy fuller cut trousers - slim jeans & big thighs are a tight fit.
It's time for khaki's .....

There is probably nothing that will slim your legs and also let you retain climbing ability.....

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

 

[brianf7]

Most cyclist will loose muscle in off season but its not healthy you need power not chicken legs.

Use what you got and make them work hard training long rides and build a big base to start the season with.
No good will come of loosing a lot of waight in the season you need to go into callerey deficite.

Ride to burn 3000 cals and eat only 1000 you will loose waight but expect to get hungery very hungery.

 

[SteveT]

Try eating less protein as well as getting lots of steady miles

 

[ustabe]

Try eating less protein as well as getting lots of steady miles

Reminds me of a guy I used to race with. He went vegetarian one winter and showed up for spring training minus a lot of muscle mass. His hill climbing improved immensely but his sprint was totally shot.

 

[durianrider]

You can still be a power athlete as a vegan. Its all about training and eating right. Me? I love riding sick steep hills and going the distance.

 

[SteveT]

Reminds me of a guy I used to race with. He went vegetarian one winter and showed up for spring training minus a lot of muscle mass. His hill climbing improved immensely but his sprint was totally shot.

Horses for courses I guess. Mind you I don't follow my own suggestion

 

[Boeing]

I can only share what works for me. I am not fitness guru

I disagree with the claim that free weights dont help cycling. they are problematic at peak season when you need max effort and recovery however so i do back off then


I have/had thunder thighs from a life of skiing and now single speed mountain biking.

in the off season I count a low cal diet carefully and hit the weight room with high high reps at lower weight. 20+ reps at 3 sets each. I leave out the seated leg extension and do mostly lunges and squat type but with body weight or weighted balls etc. in addition I do a series of plyometric stuff, Leaps, skips and burpies that tend to help the core with the legs

with that and the diet I time my rides 4 days at an hour to hour 30 ( flat high cadence and heart rate in a low zone never surging (timed as careful never to bonk on the minimal diet). a 5th day with longer miles 2 hours. (some people call it a fat burning zone) whatever

in addition I mix in a couple of trail runs a week

this is in about a 7 - 8 week period.

the key is weight high reps at a low weight and high cadence at a low heart

in addition I benefit form spending more time in a recovery tempo zone high cadence on long rides during peak season especially before and after big efforts. for reasons I can not articulate this helps me immensely and for reasons again I can not describe most of my riding partners cant stand it. they just hammer hard and get coffee and have huge thighs btw hahahah

then as some suggest here, the cycling helps the cycling and power etc..

but that is just me and I am not preaching

 

[veganrob]

I can't find the study now but I had posted it couple months ago. Weights with reps 20-30 range will improve cycling. However, bumping that to 50 rep had a tremendous improvement. The problem as you say is trying to do them in season and recover from the thrashing.

 

[Tapeworm]

Hmmm I think the application of any weights based program in relation to aerobic power AND trying to "slim down the legs" is an exercise in futility. Even at 30reps there is still a significant amount of effort from the neuromuscular power (fast twitch). If it's the study I am thinking of there were a few issues over it but would have to see which one it is.

I think the solution for the OP is easy, ride more, eat less.

 

[Andrea Curtis]

Reminds me of a guy I used to race with. He went vegetarian one winter and showed up for spring training minus a lot of muscle mass. His hill climbing improved immensely but his sprint was totally shot.

Ive tried that myself. Also went through like that. I switched my diet back. I'm racing more and eating less now though.

 

[Master50]

Sorry I am stuck on this. Lean and muscular legs. Not much fat? Now you want to reduce your muscle mass or definition? to reduce definition increase your fat or reduce your muscle and all you need to do is sit on the couch for the winter. Your muscles will atrophy and you fat stores will increase. Your riding will suck.
To catabolize your muscles, Don't you just ride without fuel or protein? You may faint a few times so make sure the roads are empty. Ride for 5 hours with only water bottles.
Actually at 5'9.5" you are already lean at 68 kilos. You have come to a cycling site and not a support group for eating and body image disorders. Most of us are looking for lean muscular legs, not trying to reduce them.
I think the root to your body image may need a head doctor or specialist in body image. Exercise build muscle. More muscles increase your metabolism. Your muscle shape is largely genetic as Thor Hushof can never get an Andy Shleck body both can adjust a little. Thor can avoid big power and spin more and And can do more big gear efforts but in the end Andy will still be skinny and Thor will still be big.
This is now the oddest request I have read here. Good luck and btw a woman in a short dress with muscular legs is stunning.

 

[Kiara is a rational girl]

Oomg, 68kg at 5'9.5"? You're already small.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Now you want to reduce your muscle mass or definition?

I think the root to your body image may need a head doctor or specialist in body image.

Your muscle shape is largely genetic as Thor Hushof can never get an Andy Shleck body both can adjust a little. Thor can avoid big power and spin more and And can do more big gear efforts but in the end Andy will still be skinny and Thor will still be big.

Good luck and btw a woman in a short dress with muscular legs is stunning.

The original post has already achieved healthy body statistics. Trying to manage yourself into a body type you weren't born with shouldn't take much time/energy other than the occasional "grass is always greener" moments we all have.

If you can't let the body issue go, then it is time to find a professional to help you examine why you are spending precious time/energy worrying about your body image. We all need help sometimes and this might be one of those times for the original post. Getting help is a good thing.

I happen to have some expertise with the Psychology professions, so PM me with any questions you may have if you want help getting started.

Good luck.