Training in the Gym

[Snizzlepops]

Having recently fallen off my bike like a sack of Potatos (tried/failed to get up a kerb in the park!) my arm is still recovering. Dr has said I can start driving soon and cycling too (woo) but until that point an exercise bike might have to be my substitute

Anyone else cycle in the gym?? How different does this feel as I know I will miss that sense of adventure until I get back out there, but with a charity ride in May - I need to build up my fitness!

I see a lot of Turbo trainer posts but living in a first floor flat isn't convenient for having a turbo trainer when I hear they are noisy pieces of equipment! I was close to buying one before I learned they can be noisy!

x

 

[screenman]

How about spin sessions.

 

[Tin Pot]

Only if you turn up in full team pro kit, helmet and shades plus two bidons and the mounting bracket for the watt bike.

Optionally bring a laptop and stand so you can login to Zwift and impress the online crowd as well as the gym denizens.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I have used stationary bikes in gyms quite a bit in the past, and still do in hotel gyms sometimes. The feel is different to riding a bike, and its very boring, but a decent cardio workout nonetheless.

Wattbikes, if your gym has them, are a different kettle of fish and have a much more realistic feel. Still boring though.

 

[vickster]

Better than nothing. I use an exercise bike during winter or post injury / surgery. Does a decent job of maintaining fitness for recreational cycling. Currently I'm doing 30-60 minutes a day. At the gym, add in weight bearing in cardio on the xt and treadmill

 

[fossyant]

As said, better than nothing. Currently doing 'nothing' until the docs give the go-ahead (I do have a broken back though) !!

I'll be doing cardio in gym when I can, and bench pressing a feather or two.

 

[Sbudge]

As said, better than nothing. Currently doing 'nothing' until the docs give the go-ahead (I do have a broken back though) !!

I'll be doing cardio in gym when I can, and bench pressing a feather or two.

Honestly, what an excuse! Malingerer!

 

[toffee]

Just back from the gym. Did 12km on a exercise bike which I have been doing a couple of time as week over the winter to supplement the few times I can get out at the moment due to the weather.

I also do some weights and a swim each time.

I find it boring but it gives a good work out and is better than nothing.

Derek

 

[steveindenmark]

I grew up in Boxing gyms in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Real spit and sawdust places. A few years ago I went into the new gym at Robin Park in Wigan. What a revelation. You used a key card on each machine which recorded your workout so you could use it to compare your next workout. Everything was super clean and modern and the equipment was state of the art.

It was horrible.

Im sure people can get seriously sick in places that clean.

I may have had a bad accident in the summer and it may be -7 out there, but Im just getting my gear on to go riding. Modern gyms are not for me.

But I do understand your caution.

 

[Snizzlepops]

I find it boring but it gives a good work out and is better than nothing.
Derek

I think that just about sums it up really. I will just have to people watch to pass my time on the bike(my gym has them on a higher level so you can see people using all the weights!!)

and @steveindenmark - My gym is an independent business and certainly isn't super clean and state of the art- much the opposite! You never know which machines are working or not!

 

[fossyant]

Our gym is very modern, you can apparently watch the telly on the bikes and running machines (built in TV etc) !!

Gym work is a good supplement if you can't get out on the bike, and lifting weights is good for bone density, which cycling isnt good for, so is an essential supplement as we get older.

 

[Penski]

If your walls aren't really thin, I wouldn't worry about impacting the neighbours too much.

I have a vortex smart, and I would describe the noise as the same as a normal home freestanding fan - unless I'm partially deaf without knowing it, or the Vortex is quieter than others (its been described as mid-pack in this regard) I can't see what the fuss over noise is about.

The bike/chain makes more noise than the trainer.