Weight Loss/Maintainence: Possible on rollers?

[BigBeastie]

Hi All,

I'm 6ft5 and weigh 18 stone so I know I need to lose a few (50) pounds. I love cycling and I find I lose weight in the summer it finds me again in the winter. A large part of this is diet but that is governed by my exercise regime: if I do a 20 mile circuit I am likely to eat healthily. I have never eaten a salad and thought about going out on the bike. The issue is that when the weather takes a turn for the worse the bike starts gathering dust.

Having turned 40 last year, I have become conscious of the fact that I won't be able to get away with this cycle of losing and putting weight on much longer. Even at my best weight at the height of summer I probably still tip the scales at 16.5 stone. What I need to do is start a year round programme so that would mean either manning up and getting out on the bike in terrible weather (I am working on it) or sorting something out indoors - or both.

Regarding indoor training I was wondering whether anyone had advice on which is better: a trainer or rollers. My initial inclination was to get some rollers as, from what I have seen written online, your pedalling, balance, bike handling etc improves and they are quieter. However I don't see much regarding weight loss. I don't know whether this is my not looking in the right place or that they are the wrong thing to be looking at, that they are more for improving technique. My long term aim is to start doing long distance endurance - Audax - rather than mixing it up with the local cycle clubs in races etc.

I was looking at either the Elite Arion Parabolic Rollers or the Elite Crono Fluid Elasto Gel Trainer as both look pretty decent and are currently discounted.

Any advice and suggestions would be gratefully received.

Cheers,

BigBeastie

 

[13 rider]

Rollers are not that easy to master good balance and concentration is required . turbo trainer are much easier to ride on and have variable setting for resistance pleny of you tube vids to help train ( search for GCN) much easier to follow a vid rather than just pedalling . I use a turbo for more structured training but much prefer being out on the bike. If your flexible with your timing you can normally find a weather window to get out . I have not missed a weekend this winter . Only ice will keep me in . good luck on your journey

 

[BigBeastie]

Thanks for the reply.

Having a small child has hampered my ability to be flexible - family commitments etc. I commute a couple of times a week when the weather improves (a rolling 10 miles each way). It used to be more but I have to do my share of the nursery pick ups!

Will have a look at trainers again. I liked the look of the Elite Crono Fluid Elasto Gel Trainer when I saw it and it is on offer at the moment - the only drawback was having to fork out for a spare wheel and specific tyre to use it - I liked the ease of set up of the rollers.

Ta

 

[screenman]

You cannot out run a bad diet.

A doughnut takes a minute to eat and 30 minutes hard work on the turbo or rollers to get rid of.

 

[bikingdad90]

How far is the nursery? Can you get a child seat and drop them off on the way to work?

If you have the option how about having the bike at work and doing a quick 30-45mins on a dinner time?

I am lucky that I can commute 5miles each way and travel in all weathers. I had to MTFU tonight with the hard rain in my face, was actually refreshing after the first mile.

 

[13 rider]

Thanks for the reply.

Having a small child has hampered my ability to be flexible - family commitments etc. I commute a couple of times a week when the weather improves (a rolling 10 miles each way). It used to be more but I have to do my share of the nursery pick ups!

Will have a look at trainers again. I liked the look of the Elite Crono Fluid Elasto Gel Trainer when I saw it and it is on offer at the moment - the only drawback was having to fork out for a spare wheel and specific tyre to use it - I liked the ease of set up of the rollers.

Ta

As I don't use the turbo I just use the wheels on the bike it probably wears the tyre more than road use but not massively .

 

[BigBeastie]

How far is the nursery? Can you get a child seat and drop them off on the way to work?

If you have the option how about having the bike at work and doing a quick 30-45mins on a dinner time?

I am lucky that I can commute 5miles each way and travel in all weathers. I had to MTFU tonight with the hard rain in my face, was actually refreshing after the first mile.

Nursery is a couple of miles away. Thinking about it that will only be a problem for another few months. Daughter starts school in September and the schools are very local so that problem will be solved - would be back up to the daily commute. Not keen on leaving bike at work.

Reckon I'll get the turbo. The missus is threatened to use whatever I get as well so maybe for the best safety-wise. Will try it with road tyres and see how I get on.

And I know the diet needs sorting!

Thanks for the replies - much appreciated.

 

[JtB]

I was also wondering about the OP's question. I have a trainer and the resistance gives a good workout. I've never used rollers but I'm guessing they don't provide the same resistance and so you don't get such a good workout. Or maybe you do, I don't know.

 

[The_Weekend_Report_Guy]

Welcome to the big guy on the bike club..!

To begin there is not amount of miles and workouts that are going to work if you don't watch what you you are eating.. This is from experience..

Then you just have to find a formula that works for you..

Mine is: eat, exercise and track it = Balance.

I am on my second week of the weight loss journey... And is very simple... I mean simple not easy.. you can't eat 3 000 calories and spend 1 000 the reminding calories/fats will remind in your body... and as you experience already take a long time to burn...as we get older even more time..

Rollers or trainer? I will go for the trainer.. My skills on the bike are limited.. Roller requires much more concentration and skills I do not have. Trainer also have the resistance factor that simulates the outside experience a bit more..

Best of luck with your journey... If you want to see how I am doing I am keeping records on the link in my signature.

Cheers..!

 

[fossyant]

I personally prefer a turbo (I have both). I've recently bought a new turbo (friend borrowed my last one then lost it) - the Elite Volare Mag. The advantage is you can concentrate on the 'interval' rather than staying on the ruddy roller, and of course the variable resistance.

You may not need a new wheel/tyre if you adjust it carefully. I've used Michelin Pro Race tyres on them before without damage. I have got a spare wheel tyre now, just because I had a spare wheelset.

 

[Tiny01]

Hi All,

I'm 6ft5 and weigh 18 stone so I know I need to lose a few (50) pounds. I love cycling and I find I lose weight in the summer it finds me again in the winter. A large part of this is diet but that is governed by my exercise regime: if I do a 20 mile circuit I am likely to eat healthily. I have never eaten a salad and thought about going out on the bike. The issue is that when the weather takes a turn for the worse the bike starts gathering dust.

Having turned 40 last year, I have become conscious of the fact that I won't be able to get away with this cycle of losing and putting weight on much longer. Even at my best weight at the height of summer I probably still tip the scales at 16.5 stone. What I need to do is start a year round programme so that would mean either manning up and getting out on the bike in terrible weather (I am working on it) or sorting something out indoors - or both.

Regarding indoor training I was wondering whether anyone had advice on which is better: a trainer or rollers. My initial inclination was to get some rollers as, from what I have seen written online, your pedalling, balance, bike handling etc improves and they are quieter. However I don't see much regarding weight loss. I don't know whether this is my not looking in the right place or that they are the wrong thing to be looking at, that they are more for improving technique. My long term aim is to start doing long distance endurance - Audax - rather than mixing it up with the local cycle clubs in races etc.

I was looking at either the Elite Arion Parabolic Rollers or the Elite Crono Fluid Elasto Gel Trainer as both look pretty decent and are currently discounted.

Any advice and suggestions would be gratefully received.

Cheers,

BigBeastie

I'm 6'5 also and was 24st 4lb at my heaviest start of 2014 then I decided to have a massive change of lifestyle / diet , last Monday ( I weigh without fail every Monday morning ) the scales then read 15.2lb ( 9 stone + weight loss ) with a bit of dedication / motivation , eating well & regular excercise the weight will fall off you trust me .

Sorry can't help with the rollers / turbo question as I have neither but I joined a local gym & train every for an hour or so everyday , mix up cardio , free weights & core excercies within the hour , the days when the weathers good I skip the gym & get out on my bike & do a 20 mile ride in the evening with longer rides @ the weekend .

It's only you that can lose the weight nobody force feeds you it's what you put in your mouth after all , ensure a daily calorie deficit & you will lose weight , good luck buddy let us know how you get on .

 

[2IT]

Any advice and suggestions would be gratefully received.

Cheers, BigBeastie

For most people, I can't recommend rollers. Harder to get on and off. Really have to pay attention or you could ride off them. Good for racers to develop bike handling yet for the general public overkill. Now if one is already using them, forget what I said and keep riding them unless you develop balance problems later on.

Most in the US go with trainers so they can ride hard and harder with less worry. They create "pain caves" and really burn the calories. not coming out until they can get a tan. Good luck.

 

[BigBeastie]

I'm 6'5 also and was 24st 4lb at my heaviest start of 2014 then I decided to have a massive change of lifestyle / diet , last Monday ( I weigh without fail every Monday morning ) the scales then read 15.2lb ( 9 stone + weight loss ) with a bit of dedication / motivation , eating well & regular excercise the weight will fall off you trust me .

Sorry can't help with the rollers / turbo question as I have neither but I joined a local gym & train every for an hour or so everyday , mix up cardio , free weights & core excercies within the hour , the days when the weathers good I skip the gym & get out on my bike & do a 20 mile ride in the evening with longer rides @ the weekend .

It's only you that can lose the weight nobody force feeds you it's what you put in your mouth after all , ensure a daily calorie deficit & you will lose weight , good luck buddy let us know how you get on .

Wow - seriously impressed by that! Well done. I know the diet needs fixing - to be honest that is the bit I am dreading

I was thinking maybe I should put buying a turbo on hold until the winter sets in.

 

[wheresthetorch]

I think rollers help with weight loss due to the amount of poo that comes out when you're trying to learn how to use them!!!