Fitness

I recently started bicycling quite a bit (for me). It ranges anywhere between 60 miles a week to 60 miles in two days (180 a week) depending on my route and how often I actually get out there and go.

Anyway, this is a two part question:

1. Does bicycling have an impact on the gluteus muscles? I think I am developing a little more shape to my booty (not a bad thing, at all) and I wonder if it is all in my head...or if I am kicking my own butt when I am out on my bike :) Has anyone noticed positive changes in their butt from riding?

2. I have a comfortable seat, and I experience no pain when I ride. The problem is when I get OFF the seat. I experience sharp, extreme pain that kind of shoots from where my bottom touches the seat and up into the top part of my bottom. Then, for the next hour or two, it hurts to sit down. Anyone know what could cause this? Like I said, no pain during the ride, but I dread getting off at the end.

Hi!

I've been cycling about 11 miles a day for the last year and a half. My observation of how it impacted my body:

- While it improved all of my leg/lower body muscles a little bit, it had by far the largest impact on my quads - they have never been in better shape. Getting up from a sitting or kneeling position has never been easier.

- I used to have some knee pain a few years ago, peeking when my weight exceeded 80 kg. Knee pain is now completely gone, possibly by combination of weight loss (I am now 67kg) and strengthening the quads

- it did not do that much for my gluteus muscles, I am afraid. But then, I have a rather odd shaped behind :(

- I had what sounds like similar pain when I started cycling, I think it went after a few weeks or so, when my body got completely used to cycling.

 

I started cycling last summer out of boredom more than anything. I ride an average of 12 miles a day, with the occasional longer ride. I was already in good shape when I started, but I think the biggest change, like skp_here said, was in my quads. I have pretty big thighs for a small girl, from sprinting and jumping in track, but when I cycle regularly, they definitely slim down a bit. However, I'm pretty sure bicycling is great for your butt. Mine is pretty darn flat, though, so if it got any smaller, I think it would disappear. ;-)

About the pain, I would be willing to bet that it'll decrease as you get more and more used to riding. It's possible that your seat is too comfortable actually, I used to have a kind of squishy one and I found that it caused more pain after than my current seat, which is harder.

I know from riding my butt has definitely gotten 'tighter' and added a little shape, even though people still tell me I have no butt.  I don't get the pain to the extreme you described, but its more of a dull weak in the butt and legs type feel, I feel wobbly.  But then again, riding 30 miles is bound to do that to you!

yo!

I just started cycling a few days ago, but everyday I have increased my distance (it's fun!) ... first 8k then 15k then 20k and today 26k ...

even after only a couple of days, I feel my bootaaay is more firm (whee!) ... I'm not sure if that is even possible, but it sure feels like it to me!! ... and yes, while I'm biking, if I reach a hill and have to stand up and pedal, I cringe because it always hurts like hell to pick your butt up from that hard seat... wah!  it feels like you have some serious bruises or something.. ow

I ride lots - there is a big difference in my booty during the warmer months when I can get out more.  Like you, I average about 130-180 miles per week in the summer.

The bike seat is a little concerning... I think you should try a different one.

I tend to agree with Mango - your seat may be too comfortable.  I always experience some pain when I first start riding again if it has been about a while since regular rides. It usually feels like bruising on my sitz bones but subsides after about a week or so of riding.  I have learned that a low profile saddle is often preferrable to a "comfort" saddle.

You did not mention the size of your seat so I could be way off but a saddle should be just wide enough to support your bones but not much wider.  Also, the angle of your seat horizontally could be part of the problem as well.  You can take your bike into a bike shop and have them adjust your seat for you to help eliminate some pain and fit you for a new saddle of that is indeed the problem.  I find it strange that you are riding your bike so much and still getting pain.

Yeah, I think I am going to go for a new seat....I think my seat may be designed to be comfy, and it is killing me.

I assumed that after I rode for a while the pain would subside, but I have been riding on a fairly regular basis for a little more than 4 months and every time it is the same.

Thanks for the advice, everyone! I will post an update here once I switch my seat out :)

2. I have a comfortable seat, and I experience no pain when I ride. The problem is when I get OFF the seat. I experience sharp, extreme pain that kind of shoots from where my bottom touches the seat and up into the top part of my bottom. Then, for the next hour or two, it hurts to sit down. Anyone know what could cause this? Like I said, no pain during the ride, but I dread getting off at the end.

Could be Piriformis Pain - I've had it & it's the worst thing you can imagine. 

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6 -241-286-289-12630-0,00.html

The piriformis muscle lies deep behind the gluteals and is responsible for the external rotation of the hip joint. When the muscle becomes too tight, it can impinge on the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, which supplies the lower extremities with motor and sensory function. The resulting pain often radiates from the buttocks, down the thigh, and up into the spine.

Highly recommend reading the article & learning how to strengthen this muscle.

Seasoned cyclist here.  Cycling is awesome for your butt.

As for the seat, well, I've always heard that the larger a seat is, the more pain it'll give you.  However, to challenge that theory, I'm on a racing saddle right now that came close to killing me from the bottom up for 6 months; it seems that I'm finally getting used to it now, though.  I'm thinking about going for a hybrid type saddle (Adamo) that lets you ride while making room for your, um, "stuff" (for lack of a better word!)

If your position on the bike is correct, you will recruit your calves, quads, hamstrings, glutes, and lower back (I'm talking road bike here, not hybrid).

Yes, a too-soft saddle will hurt.

A saddle of the correct width for your sit-bones, and that is firm, and that is narrow toward the nose, is best. Yes, you want one with a groove or a split in it, so that it doesn't press on the nerves and blood vessels in the perineum (and, for women, so it doesn't press on your "stuff").

Finally, stand up and pedal for a few tens of seconds every once in awhile, and give your butt (and your "stuff") a break. It also changes the muscle recruitment pattern, which can be refreshing.

The wider, squishier, and comfier the seat looks, the less comfortable it's actually going to be in the long run.