Exercise bike for novice

[Batgirl]

As a novice rider - just starting out, I'm in the situ that I'm waiting to do some work on my bike when new tires arrive.
Weather is grim too - so.. I'm wondering if an exericse bike session on days I can't ride would be 'ok' in the meantime / over winter.

I do want to and will get out to ride when I can of course, and when it's just wet I don't mind but winds are high here too and am not strong enough a rider yet to be facing them I don't think.

Any suggestions on type of intervals to do on an exericse bike to increase stamina and maybe help towards hillwork? I'm thinking interval splits that include upping the resistance for maybe 30 seconds at a time and then increase that?

I realise that a turbo trainer is likely to be seen to be better but sadly not got the funds for one, so as we have a gym membership (as a family) for the leisure centre with bikes I thought this might help?

Thanks,

 

[Diggs]

Intervals are good but do they have spin bikes and do Spin classes? The spin bikes are the closest you'll get to cycling and classes really give you that extra incentive to push harder.

 

[rb58]

^^^^^ This. Exercise bikes are quite gentle, try to us a spin bike if you can.

 

[Retribution03]

an exercise bike in the gym won't be anywhere near the same as being out on a bike as my mate found out when he said he did 30 miles on a gym bike and "it was a doddle" he came out on a 15 mile ride with us and realised it's a lot harder on the legs.ive not done the spinning class but have heard it's pretty hard but good.

 

[rb58]

I agree about spin classes. Been doing them for years and they certainly help with fitness, core, cadence and leg strength. Great fun too. Not a substitute for bike miles though, complementary.

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

All of the above.

And, if you just want to increase stamina, then there's really no need to do intervals, whether on a turbo, a gym bike or out on the road; unless you classify cycling for 2 or 3 hours at a time as one interval!

 

[Batgirl]

Thanks all Will scrap the idea, not sure if they do spin but will find out for a situ like today.

Thankfully sun has come out so hoping to get a ride in later (when kids / time allows). Been out all morning so only just got back to this.

Great to know it's not really transferrable - it'll get my butt in the saddle more and shows it's more of a full body workout - I don't really like the exercise bikes so no loss there!

Edited to say - there are spin classes so if I'm desperate..I could give it a go.

 

[Globalti]

Exercise bikes and spinning are the devil's inventions designed to put people off cycling.

 

[iggibizzle]

Been smashing the 'life fitness' bikes at gym while I'm unable to hit the road due to broken wrist. One of the new ones where it shows the actual road view on the screen. Courses up in alps, Côte d'Azur etc. not as much fun as being outside, but get a right sweat on! Burns like hell on a high setting for an hour. Not as good as the spinning bikes but I can't grip the bloody handles on them cos of my cast

 

[Batgirl]

Exercise bikes and spinning are the devil's inventions designed to put people off cycling.

haha I'm a bit of a sadist.. but I've much preferred being on the bike I must admit.

Been smashing the 'life fitness' bikes at gym while I'm unable to hit the road due to broken wrist. One of the new ones where it shows the actual road view on the screen. Courses up in alps, Côte d'Azur etc. not as much fun as being outside, but get a right sweat on! Burns like hell on a high setting for an hour. Not as good as the spinning bikes but I can't grip the bloody handles on them cos of my cast

Ouch - hope your break heals ok, well done keeping active still.
Will no doubt find myself in a spin class out of curiosity and if weather closes in over winter. I dread it though.. I can't cycle standing up!

 

[iggibizzle]

I find spinning easier than the exercise style bikes. Do have them on a high resistance though. Had to have cast changed today. Started to stink after 16 days of gym

 

[Diggs]

Thanks all Will scrap the idea, not sure if they do spin but will find out for a situ like today.

Thankfully sun has come out so hoping to get a ride in later (when kids / time allows). Been out all morning so only just got back to this.

Great to know it's not really transferrable - it'll get my butt in the saddle more and shows it's more of a full body workout - I don't really like the exercise bikes so no loss there!

Edited to say - there are spin classes so if I'm desperate..I could give it a go.

I would definately give them a go (unless it's at the expense of actual cycling). Used to be ideal for me as I could do it lunchtimes. It's the only time I could move to music without mickey taking #DadDancing

 

[Batgirl]

I would definately give them a go (unless it's at the expense of actual cycling). Used to be ideal for me as I could do it lunchtimes. It's the only time I could move to music without mickey taking #DadDancing

I'm back to Uni (mature student) in a month so it might well be something that fits in. I was talking to a friend and she goes so figured may as well go once with her.. so make that tomorrow morning! *yikes* Least I'll have had the experience I guess lol.

 

[Batgirl]

I managed a 3.2 mile ride tonight - so tomorrow can count as my 'rest day' god help me. lol

 

[Batgirl]

I find spinning easier than the exercise style bikes. Do have them on a high resistance though. Had to have cast changed today. Started to stink after 16 days of gym

haha bet they don't change them often due to over gym exposure! Hope it's all ok and mends well for you.

I made it to class - and survived! Am going to go again as enjoyed. Will aim do to one or so a week to hopefully help toward hill work - we did a fair bit today but I did go easy to make it through the class but will get better in time. Learning its ok to sweat is a strange thing.