Hey ST,
I’m 20 years old, 125 pounds and 5pi8. I’m very light but my body fat isn’t that low, last time I checked I was at 9%. Knowing that running is my strength and that I need to improve my FTP for OD races (I don’t have a power meter, so I can’t tell you my FTP), would it be a good idea to gain lean muscles mass? If so, should I do maximum strength only or hypertrophy as well?
You’ll probably be able to climb like a demon. But all the Clydesdale will be sitting up and eating a sandwich while passing you on the descents. The weight thing all balances out in the real world. Only at the upper echelon does weight really matter that much. Determination matters much much more.
Carry the weight that your body dictates that it needs. 125lbs is probably not the ideal weight for someone who is 5 foot 8, and your body will end up telling you that before long. dont wait for that message because it probably wont be a kind delivery.
You’ll get a dozen different opinions as to what any one who posts up (including me) thinks is ideal for your described circumstance, so lets generalize:
If you “want” to add muscle mass that will aid in TRI (this is a TRI forum, so that’s my assumption), then look at the current ST Hero Rappstar. He’s a few inch. taller than you and about 25lbs heavier. I’d offer up the idea that you eat the “extra” protein that would support some additional muscle, and then let that muscle develop while recording your changes in performance. Ultimately, the results will tell you what is right for the sport, and your body will tell you what is right for your life.
to increase your ftp I would recommend doing exercises that increase one’s FTP
.
I’d say 7 inches is a bit more than a few. 
For reference, his BMI is 19.0. Mine is 19.1-19.7 depending on time of year. But if I were a cyclist or runner, I think that a BMI of 19.0 is fine. It’s not technically in the “underweight” catalog.
I’d say 7 inches is a bit more than a few. For reference, his BMI is 19.0. Mine is 19.1-19.7 depending on time of year. But if I were a cyclist or runner, I think that a BMI of 19.0 is fine. It’s not technically in the “underweight” catalog.
i’m about to sound very stupid to you all which shouldn’t actually come as any surprise but i thought that i’d toss this question in your direction Jordan but exactly what is BMI and it’s relation to how to use it to improve?
I’d say 7 inches is a bit more than a few. For reference, his BMI is 19.0. Mine is 19.1-19.7 depending on time of year. But if I were a cyclist or runner, I think that a BMI of 19.0 is fine. It’s not technically in the “underweight” catalog.
i’m about to sound very stupid to you all which shouldn’t actually come as any surprise but i thought that i’d toss this question in your direction Jordan but exactly what is BMI and it’s relation to how to use it to improve?
BMI = Body Mass Index. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index
Basically it’s a way to correlate your height and weight. It’s not exact, but it’s normalizes (to some extent) weight based on height. I.e., it roughly answers the question “how much ‘should’ a person who is 7 inches shorter than me weigh to be of similar stature.”
I’d say 7 inches is a bit more than a few. For reference, his BMI is 19.0. Mine is 19.1-19.7 depending on time of year. But if I were a cyclist or runner, I think that a BMI of 19.0 is fine. It’s not technically in the “underweight” catalog.
i’m about to sound very stupid to you all which shouldn’t actually come as any surprise but i thought that i’d toss this question in your direction Jordan but exactly what is BMI and it’s relation to how to use it to improve?
BMI = Body Mass Index. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index
Basically it’s a way to correlate your height and weight. It’s not exact, but it’s normalizes (to some extent) weight based on height. I.e., it roughly answers the question “how much ‘should’ a person who is 7 inches shorter than me weigh to be of similar stature.”
what do you mean by similar stature?
and why bother with the question of similar stature? statistics?
and why bother with the question of similar stature? statistics?
that’s like saying someone who has done 2 or 3 or 8 or 20 ironman distances seems to know more of why I am personally here than I do…funny, i’ve never met them in my life.
your ideal weight might be exactly 125, might be a bit more. I wouldn’t worry about it, a wide range of body sizes excels at cycling, and triathlon.
body fat measuring techniques all have a range of error of around +/- 3% so you might actually be at 6%. Wouldn’t worry about that either. Train a lot and the muscles will take care of themselves.
Ask e-moto how he trains on the bike, he is good at it!
I would look at your situation as a huge advantage personally. At that size your body is going to take a heck of a lot less of a beating than say…me at 6’1 185…on the run I mean. Weight? There are plenty of guys your size blowing by me on the bike like a fart in the wind. I would always want to be smaller and work to get bigger than big and try to shed the weight. Although, I have accepted my role in the sport now as one who ‘rides to eat’
Or do I eat to ride? Oh well…who cares!
Hey Jordan…congrats on your wedding and IMAZ.
Do you/have you found that BMI’s correlate to wear and tear on a body, specifically to running.
I’m not looking to be fast any longer, just to keep my 2 surgically enhanced bionic knees together for as long as I can and stay in the sport for a good long while.
At 6’1 185 I’m certainly not a fat beast, but know I’m not a lean machine. I know my speed might be better off lighter, but I just feel like a Cambodian refugee when I get too thin. Raced at 160 in college, but I still managed to grind up all my meniscus in both knees…sorry for the long winded question, but wanted you to see where I’m coming from. I guess I’m just wondering if the weight is/isn’t a determining factor in my disc degeneration on both knees.
Have had my stride looked at by several coaches over the years and I had my overstriding taken care of around 2000…other than that they were happy technique wise.
BMI can be a ridiculous measure for people that are very muscular. Granted, triathletes don’t normally fit that bill. Look at someone like Adrian Peterson (Vikings stud running back for the football challenged). The guy is built like he was chiseled out of stone. His BMI of 29 puts him far into the overweight category and just a point from being “obese.”
Does he look obese?
It does become a more appropriate measure for endurance athletes since most of you resemble skeletons.
I normally walk around at 185 lbs. and I am 6’0". I have very little body fat. My BMI is in the overweight range - which is ridiculous. I recently had a wicked bout of strep throat and lost 10 pounds. I am going to see if I can keep it off to help my aching knees through the 2010 season. 175 might be a good fighting weight for me.
That’s very good answers, thanks everyone who has answered.
After thinking about gaining weight in the gym, I must agree that it would be a bad idea. Especially at my age. Instead, I’ll spend more time on my bike. Also, my body comparaison with Rapp’s body is a very good exemple that I might just have my ideal body weight. I don’t see how I could gain weight without gaining body fat, because I’m already eating a lot of very good food, I’m not at all on a diet.
Another question now, I live in Québec, Canada, and it gets really cold in the winter. Basically, I have to ride indoor for 5-6 months every year. That makes the usual winter base of LSD on the bike very hard to do. If I do lots of high intensity stuff (LT and Aerobic Capacity kind of intensity), than go back to 8-12 weeks of LSD early in the summer and go back to high intensity stuff for my peaking phase. That seems to be a weird periodization, 4-10 weeks high intensity, 8-12 weeks LSD, 4-8 weeks high intensity for my peak. Is there any scientific evidence that I will carry my first high intensity fitness throught the year?
At your weight and height any muscle you put on is only going to help on the bike. IMO… I am 5’9" and 155lbs. I want to get down to 145lbs but the fight is hard. My body likes 155lbs. I was 135lbs @ 20 yo and will never see that again. Do what ever your body responds best too. I would concentrate on legs and core. You might be suprised that your run improves more and becomes even better.
At your weight and height any muscle you put on is only going to help on the bike. IMO… I am 5’9" and 155lbs. I want to get down to 145lbs but the fight is hard. My body likes 155lbs. I was 135lbs @ 20 yo and will never see that again. Do what ever your body responds best too. I would concentrate on legs and core. You might be suprised that your run improves more and becomes even better.
Well, I wouldn’t say “any.” I have yet to figure out how to effectively utilize my pecs and biceps on the bike.
If they help holding you in the aero position making you less fatigue’d that a wee bit of help. Though i guess your mainly using shoulders, lats and biceps. But you could call the pecs support muscle. Less fatigue = less O2 use right? That could be utilized elsewhere.
At your weight and height any muscle you put on is only going to help on the bike. IMO… I am 5’9" and 155lbs. I want to get down to 145lbs but the fight is hard. My body likes 155lbs. I was 135lbs @ 20 yo and will never see that again. Do what ever your body responds best too. I would concentrate on legs and core. You might be suprised that your run improves more and becomes even better.
Well, I wouldn’t say “any.” I have yet to figure out how to effectively utilize my pecs and biceps on the bike.
Hey Jordan…congrats on your wedding and IMAZ.
Do you/have you found that BMI’s correlate to wear and tear on a body, specifically to running.
I’m not looking to be fast any longer, just to keep my 2 surgically enhanced bionic knees together for as long as I can and stay in the sport for a good long while.
At 6’1 185 I’m certainly not a fat beast, but know I’m not a lean machine. I know my speed might be better off lighter, but I just feel like a Cambodian refugee when I get too thin. Raced at 160 in college, but I still managed to grind up all my meniscus in both knees…sorry for the long winded question, but wanted you to see where I’m coming from. I guess I’m just wondering if the weight is/isn’t a determining factor in my disc degeneration on both knees.
Have had my stride looked at by several coaches over the years and I had my overstriding taken care of around 2000…other than that they were happy technique wise.
As other’s have said, BMI is not great for muscular athletes. I think BMI has more value in terms of deciding when you are too light. I.e., Adrian Peterson is clearly not overweight. But I doubt you’d find anyone with a BMI that is less than 18 who isn’t underweight.
you can always keep doing long runs in the winter even when you can’t do long rides.
That’s very good answers, thanks everyone who has answered.
After thinking about gaining weight in the gym, I must agree that it would be a bad idea. Especially at my age. Instead, I’ll spend more time on my bike. Also, my body comparaison with Rapp’s body is a very good exemple that I might just have my ideal body weight. I don’t see how I could gain weight without gaining body fat, because I’m already eating a lot of very good food, I’m not at all on a diet.
Another question now, I live in Québec, Canada, and it gets really cold in the winter. Basically, I have to ride indoor for 5-6 months every year. That makes the usual winter base of LSD on the bike very hard to do. If I do lots of high intensity stuff (LT and Aerobic Capacity kind of intensity), than go back to 8-12 weeks of LSD early in the summer and go back to high intensity stuff for my peaking phase. That seems to be a weird periodization, 4-10 weeks high intensity, 8-12 weeks LSD, 4-8 weeks high intensity for my peak. Is there any scientific evidence that I will carry my first high intensity fitness throught the year?
It’s not technically in the “underweight” catalog.
JR,
True.
But I find people’s reactions interesting when they see in the flesh many truly elite level endurance athletes - they often remark how small, lean or skinny they are.** **Many would consider them “underweight”.