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| *Vultures Knob>>>Stationary Bike |
What does it mean when someone is asking you are using a stationary bike and you are burning 100w? |
What does it mean when someone is asking you are using a stationary bike and you are burning 100w? In order to keep it simple - it just means that there is 100 watts of energy being used or generated. Staionary bikes only give you watts in terms of what is being generated by the bike, unless they have you completely hooked up with a heart rate monitor, calculate your weight, and your oxygen consumption. They amount of energy _you_ are burning in order to generate that 100 watts on the bike is actually quite a bit more, depending on your fitness level. The more fit you are, the more efficient your are, and the less energy (calories) it takes you to generate power. A fit person might not even break a sweat on a stationary bike putting out 100 watts, while a hefty cheesy-poof-munching, beer drinking couch potato wouldn't be able to speak at the same power output. Basically, when you pedal, whether on a stationary bike, or a regular bike, you put out, or expend a specific amount of energy or power in order to move the pedals. The more power you put through the pedals, the faster you move. This an be achieved in lower gears via "spinning", or in higher gears via "mashing", though mashing is not the best way to ride. The amount of power put through the pedals (on a road or mountain bike) can be measured often with devices such as the PowerTap Pro (http://www.saris.com/p-307-powertap-pro.... The specific definition of a watt is: "the SI unit of power, equivalent to one joule per second, corresponding to the power in an electric circuit in which the potential difference is one volt and the current one ampere." That's all technical and whatever, but, to put it into perspective, during the Tour de France, the average watts of the stronger riders was about 220-250 at any given time. In a time trial section of the ride, it might be higher, at around 360-390. Some stationary bikes allow you to measure in watts instead of "gears". Hope this helps! http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries... 100 watts is a measure of power equal to about 86 Kilo calories per hour. (Kilo calories are the Calories food is usually measured in).Your body burns around 4 times as much power as is supplied to the pedals.(average human is about 24-25% efficient.) On a road bike this would give a speed (on the flat) of around 25km/h(15mph). About 17km/h (10mph) on a mountain bike. So if you ride a real bike with the same intenity at these speeds this will be close. The power and energy calculators on home exercise bikes are known for being incredibly inaccurate. The high end machines found at most gyms are better. If you exercise at the same intensity both machines will give you the same work out. I can only suggest that you get out on the real bike a bit more. It is far more enjoyable than sitting in a room. Ride at a speed that you feel comfortable with and for as long as you can. Check your face when you get home. If there is a smile on it do the same tomorrow. Don't get caught up in the numbers and don't worry about silly questions. Just enjoy riding. |
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