Newbie on a fitness mission

[Kevs-the-name]

Hi guys.

I am new returning to cycling (not since childhood) and have taken it up for fitness and weight loss. eventually to commute (12 miles of mountain roads)

Purchased a Turbo trainer yesterday as I am disappointing with not getting out due to the typical Welsh weather! I really want to use this new steed of mine!
Also, I downloaded a Sufferfest video to follow.

SO 1st attempts...
1/2 hour completed. Sweating like a sweaty thing.
Heart rate at a constant 80-90% of MHR

This could be interesting. though, I kind of enjoyed it!!!

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

I got a turbo in the crap weather to help my recovery from a knee op. I did not mind it either, although you have to learn to switch your brain off a bit. I used to use an MP3 player most of the time. The only thing that I can say is that it is nowhere near as hard as riding on the road for real with hills etc. I had a bit of a shock when I started my 9.5 mile commute with 4 hills. Then again I maybe did not pust myself as much on the turbo, whereas I have to when I commute or else I will be late for work.

 

[Crackle]

They're good the Sufferfest videos aren't they, only discovered them recently. Which one did you get?

 

[Kevs-the-name]

I bought Angels, Revolver and Local hero

Only tried 1/2 of Angels this evening. I need to take it easy as I have only just started riding again.
I mustn't over do it. Gonna get back on it on Sunday, hopefully not sore. this is a long journey broken down into smaller pieces!

 

[amaferanga]

If you've just started riding I'd forget about using Sufferfest videos and just ride. You might want to invest in a good fan or two to keep you cooler on the turbo (since it'll feel much harder if you're overheating).

How did you work out your max HR?

 

[Kevs-the-name]

The best formula I found was 220 minus your age. (google)

I plan to use the Sufferfest vids for motivation and music imput. I am not fit enough to follow them to the letter.
I also agree with the fan, found that tip on other posts. did get sweaty! but mainly suffered with aching arms/hands (as well as legs)

 

[Crackle]

Invariably that formula will be wrong. It might be out by a lot or a little. In my own case it's out by 21 beats, a significant amount. Forget the zones and just use percieved effort but lower it, don't try to match the videos, as you say, use them for motivation. What the turbo will do is give your CV system a good workout, you will build some leg strength too but it won't translate to the road as much as you'd like, at least not until you are further on in your regime, you'll need to ride as well, amaferanga is spot on there. It also won't teach you riding technique, rhythm or cadence or use of gears. All those things you'll need to learn on the road with perhaps the most important being keeping a rhythm using your gears which in cycling is cadence. A steady cadence, especially on hills, is key. Forget speed, that will come later. Apologies if you already know this and I'm teaching you to suck eggs.

 

[buggi]

i didn't know about those. i might order one for next winter!

 

[Bayerd]

Turbo trainer?

Here's some advice, ditch it and get out and do proper cycling. Trust me, you'll enjoy it far more. Even when it's pissing down.....

 

[Garz]

To find your Max HR your better off cycling to a killer hill and maxing out your effort. This will give a better indication that the bog standard minus age archaic formula which for me was way out. You can then add a few BPM after a few tests to see what your actual MHR might be without having to do a lab test. You shouldn't really be able to hit your MHR but you get the idea.

 

[Kevs-the-name]

Crackle: you certainly are not teaching me to suck eggs and I appreciate your advice. I have no biking knowledge other than what I read on the forums. I am, as you suggest, using the turbo trainer as a cv workout. I do accept understand that I need to learn about cadence nd put it into practice.

Bayerd: I would love to agree with you about riding out, but I live in South Wales, in the middle of the Valleys. I have killer hills either side of me, crap weather and limited time during the day. Most of my excercise needs to be after work in the dark. I tried a ride out and had to turn round after 1 1/2 miles because I am so unfit. Biking wasnt this hard when I was kid! I can not say I enjoyed it one bit. I plan to gain some fitness, strength and even learn about positioning and get my butt used to the seat!