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Get Fit, Stay Fit, Feel Good - 2026

stangmx13 said:
I suspect there are numerous health benefits to a solid 2hr block of endurance exercise. The main ones are prob better hormone regulation like insulin and all the stress hormones. The aerobic capacity benefits are prob solid for most people as well. And it’s great that cycling is doing it in a way that is really gentle on the joints and is completely sustainable.

Those gummy bears are 28% water. Interesting. 22g sugar, 1g protein, and 9g unspecified (prob water).

That 2.2kg bag would be a 10-day supply for me. I could never chew that much on the bike. 😂
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I guess those “GU” packets make sense, then, as do drink mixes.

Once the days are longer it’ll be easier to get longer rides in. I am going to save so much money on motorcycle tires. :rofl

Like you said, it’s not easier but I am regularly breaking previous Strava records.
 
stangmx13 said:
Found a vid showing the benefits of lifting for octogenarians. Over a single year, Dad now deadlifts 200lbs and Mom improved her bone density, posture, and mobility.
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It's neat to see the mainstream sources come around to the above. Resistance training and protein rich diets are the "new boss same as old boss" recognition....not to mention the drive towards mobility in older people. Aging has gotten to be a combat sport!
 
The mistake that the majority of men make is that they stop working out right when they need to really be working out.

Study after study across decades has shown that getting 30 minutes of moderate exercise in later years will extend your life better than anything else.

Things that become ailments can be held at bay by a program of strengthening the body and keeping it fit. That includes your core, I know of over 6 people who got a hernia moving in a way that you'd never suspect of causing a hernia, but it happens if you let your ab muscles go to flab. Plenty of studies show that it's very hard to build up your bones beyond mid 50's, the trick is to keep them strong up to that point then maintain them with impact training.

You have the fit and the dead early.
 
Speaking of aging. Did a short session Monday at the gym to ease back into it after a few weeks off due to some outside issues. God I hate how much strength I have lost in that time frame but back to the grindstone with a energized outlook. Switching to 3 days a week workout to see what happens.

Tonight is the start of the Spartacus. will probably only do a set or two as I get back into the rhythm and learning the routine. Will be mixing in heavy bag, treadmill and rowing for cardio after doing the Spartacus reps. Also need to find some good yoga moves to help with flexibility on my off days.

Also looking to increase my golf drive so may throw in some sets to help with that also. Should be an interesting year.
 
two wheel tramp said:
I run hot although losing insulation has definitely made me more aware of cold.

On that note: it’s 57 out. Sun is shining. Time to pedal. (Will bring a snack 😂)
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Was warmer this morning, 40F :laughing Do you wear a heart monitor or anything when you go for a pedal? I'm curious what my heart rate gets to, the watts I'm producing, etc. I'm a data nerd at heart, but a miserly nerd, so I've just been curious and haven't spent money on the question...yet
 
Das MotorRad said:
Was warmer this morning, 40F :laughing Do you wear a heart monitor or anything when you go for a pedal? I'm curious what my heart rate gets to, the watts I'm producing, etc. I'm a data nerd at heart, but a miserly nerd, so I've just been curious and haven't spent money on the question...yet
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could use your Apple or Samsung watch to track that
 
Das MotorRad said:
Was warmer this morning, 40F :laughing Do you wear a heart monitor or anything when you go for a pedal? I'm curious what my heart rate gets to, the watts I'm producing, etc. I'm a data nerd at heart, but a miserly nerd, so I've just been curious and haven't spent money on the question...yet
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I have an Apple Watch Ultra 2. It’s not as robust as the Garmins but for a relative Luddite like me, it’s great.


I do appreciate knowing my heart rate is highest on descents. It cracks me up.
 
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Das MotorRad said:
Was warmer this morning, 40F :laughing Do you wear a heart monitor or anything when you go for a pedal? I'm curious what my heart rate gets to, the watts I'm producing, etc. I'm a data nerd at heart, but a miserly nerd, so I've just been curious and haven't spent money on the question...yet
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I would recommend a Garmin, the basic running watches will have stuff for cycling. In my opinion, Apple Watches are horrible choices for exercise. They have all of the features you can want but the absolute worst battery life, which makes them fairly useless. Garmin and even Corros (spelling) watches will last 16 to 30+ days on a single charge for normal everyday use. Adding in monitoring during exercise will drain your battery but you’ll still get days and even weeks of use depending on the model.

For your power output (watts) you’ll need to get a power meter for your bike. You can sync them to your watch to log your ride.
 
Ridley said:
I would recommend a Garmin, the basic running watches will have stuff for cycling. In my opinion, Apple Watches are horrible choices for exercise. They have all of the features you can want but the absolute worst battery life, which makes them fairly useless. Garmin and even Corros (spelling) watches will last 16 to 30+ days on a single charge for normal everyday use. Adding in monitoring during exercise will drain your battery but you’ll still get days and even weeks of use depending on the model.
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I literally just had to charge mine again so it would have the juice to monitor my work out. You speak truth.
 
Ridley said:
My sister is a runner and she uses Apple. She’s always changing that thing. Seems so inconvenient.
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I love the thing so I got a rapid charger. It’s one more thing to think about but it was also free (a gift) and does a lot of things.
 
two wheel tramp said:
I love the thing so I got a rapid charger. It’s one more thing to think about but it was also free (a gift) and does a lot of things.
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For sure they do lots of awesome stuff, my kid has one and it’s actually been a great purchase for her. We are able to communicate with her (voice calls and text), without her having an “evil” smartphone. We all know how bad they can be for kids and access to social media. Sorry to divert from the original topic.

Lots of great choices for monitoring your workouts, just depends on what you want.
 
Ridley said:
I would recommend a Garmin, the basic running watches will have stuff for cycling. In my opinion, Apple Watches are horrible choices for exercise. They have all of the features you can want but the absolute worst battery life, which makes them fairly useless. Garmin and even Corros (spelling) watches will last 16 to 30+ days on a single charge for normal everyday use. Adding in monitoring during exercise will drain your battery but you’ll still get days and even weeks of use depending on the model.

For your power output (watts) you’ll need to get a power meter for your bike. You can sync them to your watch to log your ride.
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I appreciate the input, will be looking at Garmin and possibly side-eye Apple Watch. I like the idea of syncing a power meter to the watch :thumbup
 
Ridley said:
For sure they do lots of awesome stuff, my kid has one and it’s actually been a great purchase for her. We are able to communicate with her (voice calls and text), without her having an “evil” smartphone. We all know how bad they can be for kids and access to social media. Sorry to divert from the original topic.

Lots of great choices for monitoring your workouts, just depends on what you want.
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I still think the garmin sounds like the best tool if you’re serious about fitness. If I were to buy another it would most likely be a garmin.
 
Das MotorRad said:
I appreciate the input, will be looking at Garmin and possibly side-eye Apple Watch. I like the idea of syncing a power meter to the watch :thumbup
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What's said above Is the absolutely limiting factor of the Apple Watch. I couldn't ever do sleep tracking with mine cause the battery needed charging when I was gong to bed. Also, I figured out I don't like a the cellular portion of the watch on my wrist all the time...ran it for 3 months and shifted to a Garmin which doubles as a dive computer now with the Fenix 8.
 
I remember Rob @stangmx13 posting a review of different Garmin products, were they watches or the bike computer?
 
Can't recall. My educated guess is is bike comps. He'll settle this!
 
Without a techy way of measuring my progress I'm using what gear I'm in and what hole I'm breathing out of :laughing If I keep the same cadence/intensity then as I get stronger I should use a higher gear and less mouth breathing :teeth
 
Das MotorRad said:
I remember Rob @stangmx13 posting a review of different Garmin products, were they watches or the bike computer?
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Last year I asked Robert and Mike about bike computers and both gave me feedback. Based on his experience, Robert did provide quite a bit of information about the various Garmin models he’s used or has had direct interaction with. It was extremely informative. He may have had other reviews on watches that I missed.

Also for Garmin watches, some of the newer Fenix 8 models now have the ability for direct communication without being synced to a phone…like the Apple Watches. However, they are pretty pricey.

And, don’t overlook Corros watches. They are really liked by a bunch of my running friends and are a little less expensive than Garmin. Overall they get great reviews by various online peeps.
 
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