Comments on: Spinning – Is it for real cyclists? http://www.training4cyclists.com/spinning-%e2%80%93-is-it-for-real-cyclists/ Cycling Training Tips Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:02:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Jesper Bondo Medhus http://www.training4cyclists.com/spinning-%e2%80%93-is-it-for-real-cyclists/comment-page-1/#comment-53130 Jesper Bondo Medhus Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:53:34 +0000 http://www.training4cyclists.com/?p=1193#comment-53130 @cyclegirl It's a good point you have. If a rider plans to ride a different program he should try to be as anonymous as possible. @Frank You use some solid principles that makes spinning an advantage for you. Thanks for sharing these tips with us. @ Eliot I haven't really thought much about the traffic issue since I've always lived in smaller cities, but you're right. @cyclegirl
It’s a good point you have. If a rider plans to ride a different program he should try to be as anonymous as possible.

@Frank
You use some solid principles that makes spinning an advantage for you. Thanks for sharing these tips with us.

@ Eliot
I haven’t really thought much about the traffic issue since I’ve always lived in smaller cities, but you’re right.

]]> By: Eliot Reeves http://www.training4cyclists.com/spinning-%e2%80%93-is-it-for-real-cyclists/comment-page-1/#comment-52931 Eliot Reeves Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:02:38 +0000 http://www.training4cyclists.com/?p=1193#comment-52931 I've now been riding for roughly around 6 months and therefore walked into cycling at the height of summer. Reaching the winter period was depressing because it meant investing in a whole new series of kit, lights etc and dealing with (especially recently) some very tricky road conditions including snow and ice and the potholes that result. As a result, I've attended a spinning class at least once a week and done a quick hour beforehand. The 90-120 minute total workout is arguably better than a road ride since there are no traffic lights etc so in theory it is possible to work a little harder. Although I do not strictly agree with this view, I have found spinning to be an excellent addition to my training. As a beginner, I'm not sure I could have made the significant advances in power I have managed through spinning unless I lived in a more undulating area. My conclusion is that spinning is extremely advantageous for beginners. I’ve now been riding for roughly around 6 months and therefore walked into cycling at the height of summer. Reaching the winter period was depressing because it meant investing in a whole new series of kit, lights etc and dealing with (especially recently) some very tricky road conditions including snow and ice and the potholes that result.

As a result, I’ve attended a spinning class at least once a week and done a quick hour beforehand. The 90-120 minute total workout is arguably better than a road ride since there are no traffic lights etc so in theory it is possible to work a little harder.

Although I do not strictly agree with this view, I have found spinning to be an excellent addition to my training. As a beginner, I’m not sure I could have made the significant advances in power I have managed through spinning unless I lived in a more undulating area.

My conclusion is that spinning is extremely advantageous for beginners.

]]> By: Frank http://www.training4cyclists.com/spinning-%e2%80%93-is-it-for-real-cyclists/comment-page-1/#comment-52903 Frank Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:48:14 +0000 http://www.training4cyclists.com/?p=1193#comment-52903 To add my own commentary to this subject, I prefer to mix in a spinning class here and there in my Winter training program for a number of reasons. •It gets me out of the solitary experience of riding the rollers for what seems like eternity. •I can add on some seriously high resistance for strength training •It affords my wife and I the opportunity to work-out together for a change I also have a few caveats to add regarding my spin training: •I loosely follow the routine provided by the instructor; No jumps, only sprints when the training plan calls for it, and my bike setup looks very different from everyone else in the class. •Arriving to the class an hour early lets me get a full two hour work-out in for that session. I sometimes will do two classes one after the other when the opportunity presents itself. •Use your heart rate monitor. This is the only way to adequately gauge your spinning workout. •Never, ever ride with no resistance. I always keep at least a few twists of resistance on the spin bike because as we all know there is no such thing as a flat road with no resistance. •I also tend to mimic actual conditions while on the spin bike. For example, after a “hill” I’ll back the resistance off slightly and increase my cadence to imitate the corresponding decent. To add my own commentary to this subject, I prefer to mix in a spinning class here and there in my Winter training program for a number of reasons.
•It gets me out of the solitary experience of riding the rollers for what seems like eternity.
•I can add on some seriously high resistance for strength training
•It affords my wife and I the opportunity to work-out together for a change

I also have a few caveats to add regarding my spin training:
•I loosely follow the routine provided by the instructor; No jumps, only sprints when the training plan calls for it, and my bike setup looks very different from everyone else in the class.
•Arriving to the class an hour early lets me get a full two hour work-out in for that session. I sometimes will do two classes one after the other when the opportunity presents itself.
•Use your heart rate monitor. This is the only way to adequately gauge your spinning workout.
•Never, ever ride with no resistance. I always keep at least a few twists of resistance on the spin bike because as we all know there is no such thing as a flat road with no resistance.
•I also tend to mimic actual conditions while on the spin bike. For example, after a “hill” I’ll back the resistance off slightly and increase my cadence to imitate the corresponding decent.

]]> By: cyclegirl http://www.training4cyclists.com/spinning-%e2%80%93-is-it-for-real-cyclists/comment-page-1/#comment-52900 cyclegirl Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:13:21 +0000 http://www.training4cyclists.com/?p=1193#comment-52900 As a long time indoor cycle instructor I agree with your article. I have one additional comment if your readers/cyclists are taking an indoor class but not training with the rest of the class. I don't mind at all that cyclists come to my class but if their agenda is different from mine I do ask that they sit in the back of the room so as not to throw off other participants. I also tell my "real" cyclists that this class can definitely benefit their cardiovascular system and help with their training but does not generally translate to their outdoor ride. As a long time indoor cycle instructor I agree with your article. I have one additional comment if your readers/cyclists are taking an indoor class but not training with the rest of the class. I don’t mind at all that cyclists come to my class but if their agenda is different from mine I do ask that they sit in the back of the room so as not to throw off other participants. I also tell my “real” cyclists that this class can definitely benefit their cardiovascular system and help with their training but does not generally translate to their outdoor ride.

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