[ArnieH]

I have just turned 61, am 6' 1" tall and wantt o lose about 20-30 pounds on regular and exercise bicycle.

How often should I cycle a week and for what length of time?

On the stationary bicycle, which is best for weight loss---high resistance or low resistance?

[twinkiedooter]

You have to gradually build up doing about 15 minutes a day for starters several times a week. Then go up 10 minutes per time per week and see how you fare. Have you tried a rebounder (mini trampolene) yet? After 15 minutes on that contraption you'll get a real workout for sure. Get one that has a bar to help stabalize you so you don't fall off and lets you do more fancier type moves. They sometimes come with instruction videos showing how it's used. I get tired just watching this young chick on the rebounder! I'm in my 60's as well and have bad knees and prefer this to a stationary bike anyday. Less boring as well and gets my whole body and lungs and heart moving. Much better workout and you'll see results much faster as well. Good luck!

[twinkiedooter]

I've had exercise bikes as well and I found that if I started in the easier gears I was okay until I worked up to the higher resistance gears. Not a good idea to try the resistance gears right off the bat. You need to work up to them. It's better to switch the gears during your workout. That worked best for me.

[Cooledit]

Hi Arnie

hmm, the problem is when we are getting older as our metabolism slows down gradually. I'm 38 myself and also back on track to loose weight my start weight was 229lb current weight 194lb = 35lb that has taken me since August 8 2008 and until today.

Hard work most done on the bike as well as you wanted to do.
OK the best that works for me is road biking I started on a second hand Mountain bike and about 2 month ago bought a Hybrid (Merrida T3) properly the best bike I ever owned.

I had a bike accident on 29 nov 2008 and since then I've only been running instead my wrist are now OK but I'm just waiting for spring.

Ok to my tour plan cause my plan for 2009 is to loose another 40-55lb. The longer rides above 80km mark is where I find to really start losing weight as when you go only short distances the body will just use the fat as you daily eat. When you go long distances the body will start to use the old stored fat as fuel for muscles. You also asked me how often do I need to do this, if you have plenty of time I would say train up to go 80km without problem so maybe 4 weeks where 5 days a week ride 20-30km per session. Use only the low gears (resistance) and see to that you keep a RPM between 75-85.

when you feel ready you go your 80km and the same as before low gear (no resistance) if resistance is needed to keep the RPM on 75-85 then the lowest you need to keep turning the wheel.

Later when you feel fit for it go to 100km or further.
when you get to those 80km-100km you'll only need 2 session's per week. Fat burn 20km/h (distance 80km 4h*900=3600Cal)
100km = 4500Cal.

Good luck.