will i get fit

[Mada3400]

i started riding to have fun and get fit, now i want to get a DH bike but am worried about my fitness as this is pretty much the only fitness i do

if i start DH what will happen to me fitness wise?

[Iwan Kemp]

Depends how hard you go and what you mean by "fit"

[Mada3400]

I mean pushing up most hills and fit as in recovery heart rate, leg strongness, just general stuff

[Iwan Kemp]

You will definitely get fitter. Pushing a DH bike is no joke. But like with any sport it all depends on hard you push and "push". If you're gonna coast down the mountain, then no. But if you're planning to give it stick and pedal every half a second you can then yes. Same with going up and the breaks you take between runs.

[Mada3400]

thanks, that is the answer that i was looking for

[covie]

mada most DH guys are super fit, you need to excerize legs for speed bursts pedalling, you need upper body strength to throw the bike around, so moral of the story is as you get better youll probably still want to do XC with your DH and youll probablly gym anyway to increase your core and upperbody strength.

 

Pushiing the bike at a leasurly pace up a hil once or twice and crusing down will give you the same level of fitness as someone that just hikes that distance.

[Mada3400]

JUSTIFIED!!!! gonna go downhill

[Iwan Kemp]

Job done!

[braailegend]

You'll be fit... I'm suffering to get back into decent freeride shape. Not only will you get fit, you'll actually exercise your back, shoulders, forearms, hands, stomach and what not. Its not as easy as just pointing a bike downhill.

[jimmy hardtail]

Dh is actually probably the most all round workout in cycling. Take a look at some of the top guys. They are super fit but dont look anorexic like xc riders. Plus its the most fun workout you can have. Remember your fitness level will be determined by your riding. So if you ride once a week then you will only be fit enough to ride once a week. There is no shortcut to fitness. Or bike skill.