Pedal power: cycle your way to better legs
Lisa Scott|Metro13 April 2012

If you had one leg wider than the other, you would notice - wouldn't you?

When I agreed to take part in an intense, four-week cycling programme to improve my thigh shape, I didn't expect to make such a discovery. My goal was a pair of toned, silky, streamline legs, improved fitness and slight weight loss.

My riding programme, devised by Dominic Barette, fitness manager of Holmes Place Health and Fitness, consisted of indoor and outdoor cycling and carefully chosen flexibility and posture exercises (see stretching tips, above). My new, improved thighs seemed within easy reach.

Inside leg measurement

To get an accurate account of any changes, Dominic took a series of leg measurements. This was when the startling revelation came to light. The circumference of my left thigh was 2.5cm more than that of my right thigh.

I was outraged.

The explanation soon became clear. A cartilage injury from two years ago had caused muscle wastage in my right leg. Since the accident, I had unknowingly been walking and running with more emphasis on the left side of my body - building more muscle on the one side. Unbeknown to me, my body was protecting its recovering muscles.

'The more active you are, the more likely you are to encounter an injury and cause muscle imbalances,' says Dominic. 'But even those who aren't particularly active will notice imbalances with their muscles and posture as they grow older. It's a consequence of simply living life.'

My challenge had taken on a new meaning - I wanted matching, proportional legs.

With this in mind, I hit the leafy roads of Surrey. I pedalled eagerly, despite turning cherryred at the sight of a hill or uneven road. Although I can run for miles, cycling on hills and uneven roads was exhausting. But replacing my usual gym routine with fresh air and balmy evenings was far more enriching.

So much so that, when I returned to the gym, I felt like a fraud. An outdoorsy impostor, posing as a gym-goer.

The outdoor life

As the weeks progressed, my stamina improved. Apart from one sticky moment involving a steep hill and a bad gear decision - gear six meant I ground to a halt - my challenge was going apace. When my heart rate was monitored, there was a small improvement in fitness (78 beats per minute before the month, 75 after). Although I found such minor progress disheartening, my legs were improving and gradually feeling stronger.

Finally, the days of conjecture were over. Final measurements showed a surprising 5kg loss in weight and - wonder of wonders - my legs had evened out.

Overall, my calf muscles were smaller, changing from 38cm in circumference to 36cm. And although my thighs were now bigger, they looked more defined. While my right thigh was 38.5cm before and my left was 41cm, they now measured a toned 43cm each. Higher up towards my hips, the new, sinewy thighs evened out to 53cm and 52.5cm, so at last they were matching sizes. My blood pressure was also fairly healthy (109/74 before the month; 123/76 after), despite a hectic Tube journey into work.

Cycling not only improved my general fitness, but its low-impact healing benefits had balanced my leg muscles and helped me de-stress, making this four-week trial-cyclist a happy one.

  • To contact Dominic for training, e-mail fitnessforlife@aol.com or go to www.holmesplace.com

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