Six weeks ago I went 2.36 miles in 20 minutes on my elliptical trainer. It was a difficult workout. Last week I went 7.8 miles in 60 minutes on my elliptical trainer.
This week I went 8.2 miles in 60 minutes and the workout was easier. When I start a new cardio routine my body quickly adapts. I need to increase the intensity or duration of the workouts so it does not become too easy.
Based on my experience, it takes a week for cycling to get easier when you do it as a weekly workout. If you are not overtraining then cycling can get easier almost every time you do it for 3 to 4 months.
During the summer I like to work up to doing 3-hour bike rides. When doing the same long-distance ride every week it would take 4 or 5 rides before it feels easy.
It could take longer to improve if you do it as a daily workout. When you exercise too frequently your muscles don't have a chance to heal.
Easy is Overrated
After doing the same workout 4 times it can start to feel like I am just going through the motions. I don't feel a sense of accomplishment, it does not change my body, I don't accomplish new things and I don't look forward to doing it again. It becomes boring.
One of the reasons cycling is my favorite form of exercise is because I can keep challenging myself.
Compete with yourself every week. Trying to improve makes it fun and rewarding. That is why I will cycle to a park that is three times farther away than the closest one. I try to keep challenging myself until cycling season is over. As you get better at an exercise increase the intensity or duration so it does not become too easy. It should be hard.
I aim for a moderate level of difficulty.
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