Indoor Training

[Kevin Alexander]

Hi Guys

I live in Scotland and during the winter months it might become impossible to cycle, what do you guys do to maintain a level of fitness if you are unable to cycle? do you do alternative sports or do you buy the training devices that connect to your bike that allow you to cycle stationary?

Thanks

 

[rb58]

I ride through most conditions - just need to have the right equipment, particularly clothing. Other than that, I do spin classes at my gym - not quite the same as being out on the bike, but close if you set the bike up right - good training and great fun too.

 

[Kevin Alexander]

Did think about spin classes but with childcare and location it's a bit of a hassle. I'm wondering if a spin bike would be cheap enough to buy and justified

 

[RedMG]

My kids, home and work life don't give me big chunks of time out on the bike, so I use a turbo trainer at home which is great for a quick one hour blast, interval training etc. Like many though, I've found the turbo to be pretty boring, but I now use the Sufferfest video training programme which makes things much more interesting and gives you a structured workout.

 

[Kevin Alexander]

Will check it out

So do they attach to the back wheel an lift it up off the ground so you can cycle indoors and work your way through the gears?

 

[vickster]

I use an exercise bike - kept me fairly fit over the winter when I wasn't allowed to cycle following surgery

I have this one, done '000s of kms on it, pretty bulky compared to a turbo http://www.amazon.co.uk/York-Fitness-53015-C202-Cycle/dp/B000WZRTH0 Did have to buy a new power lead having tripped over it one too many times

 

[Albert]

When the weather is extreme - I live 1000ft up in the Cambrian Mountains - I use my turbo trainer. I do nothing more (I am not a competitive cyclist) than a brisk hour 3 or 4 days a week. Boring, but keeps me fit. I use Friel's method of calculating workload (Time x Heart Rate Zone) and this hour equates to 90 minutes of hilly road riding. My Garmin 800's calorie counter confirms this equation. The weather is never bad enough to keep me indoors for more than 50 days a year. I go to the Gym once a week for a bit of variation and to keep my non-cycling muscles up to scratch.

 

[cyberknight]

Commute, its not normally as bad as most people think and i miss maybe a week a year through weather.

 

[Chris432626]

Cheap turbo, pc or DVD player to stop boredom.
Or, spend a bit more and pair a turbo with trainer road or such like.

 

[cardiac case]

I am not looking forward to the winter and riding on icy roads in the dark and have been contemplating
an exercise bike; but then a chap I often do work for offered me his turbo trainer on sort of permanent loan.

I've set it up in the garage with my hybrid Trek for the moment and changed the Velo 7 to work off the back wheel.
It could well be the answer to maintaining my rehab during the worst of the winter.
I will of course still sneak out on the better days.

Paul

 

[david k]

do itunes have any riding videos?

 

[Born2die]

Turbo trainer and sufferfest for me there new onelooks good 64 sprints in 60 mins think I might need my head examined

 

[Kevin Alexander]

Think it's def a turbo trainer, might go for the expensive ones as I will get a bollocking from the missus if she hears it running. £250 is probably a bargain based on the repairs and winter gear that I could spend.

 

[Born2die]

Don't forget a turbo tyre too

 

[Kevin Alexander]

Yeah, will be getting that as well. Got a couple of videos on youtube with tips. Looking forward to it, music or a movie, plenty liquids, towel to avoid sweat on the floor. Workout programme.