effects of running/biking/eliptical trainer

[acorreia]

I need yall's input on my exercise routine. When I go to the gym, I do a combo of 2 of the following:
- run/walk (5 mins of each x 2)routine
- 20 mins of eliptical
- 10 - 20 mins of stationary bike

My question => Am I getting any muscle strengthening out of any of these? I know they are mostly cardio exercises, but my legs do get sore on the days that I "kick it up a notch!"

Thanks,
Angela

[cookgirl]

Hey everbody! I haven't beenhere in a while. Looks like I have alot of catching up to do!

You know Acorreia, I think your routine sounds pretty good. The run/walk is a nice warm up. The elliptical trainer is awesome and the biking can be good.

I do a similar routine when I'm indoors. I usually will go about 30 on both the elliptical and the bike.

The only suggestion I an make are that you make sure you go at quick enough pace, flirt with different resistances, try different positions and speeds on the bike (have you taken spinning? Yeeeouch!!!!!) and do a cool down similar to your warm up.

[emilycat]

Angela,

I agree, your program sounds great; and those activities will definitely strengthen your legs; it's actually a great idea to vary your training, so that your muscles don't get used to the same activity. By varying your routine, it's much easier to challenge yourself.

If you really want to build muscle definition in your legs, though, you might want to try lifting weights. Don't worry at all about your legs "bulking up;" I lift weights about twice each week for about 45 minutes, and I'm anything but.
Lifting weights, though, makes your limbs more shapely, and strengthens them more than cardio alone can.

Also, once you've been lifting for a bit, you'll notice that your cardio plan will get easier, and you'll be able to up the notch even more, getting a better cardio workout and burning more calories. Lifting weights is a renowned metabolism-booster. I'd give it a shot, anyway, especially if you already belong to a gym (and it sounds like you do, unless you have all that equipment at home, in which case I'm really envious http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ). Just a thought! (or a few http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif )

Emily



[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 12-15-2000).]