Why indoor cycling is winning Kona, Tour de France & Olympic gold medals

[F111]

Found this interesting article

 

http://decaironman-training.com/2013/12/12/why-indoor-cycling-is-winning-kona-tour-de-france-olympic-gold-medals/?goback=%2Egde_73142_member_5816825293712670722#%21

[travisza]

Lost interest when the article said Rinny came 3rd at IM World Champs. If you can't even get that right how can I believe the rest of the article.

[F111]

I go to spinning classes. the setup of a spin bike is not the same as my bike and I'm to lazy to take a tape measure to gym to get it right, if I will ever get it right. We got a couple of Wattbikes in our gym now and I'm keen to try it.

[Jakkals.]

Vir my is fietsry: natuur, son en vriendskap. Nie n sweet plas op die tv kamer mat nie.

[longworn]

From author of article;

 

Thanks Travisza for pointing out my error. Corrected that pretty sharply! Wrote it quickly at lunch and it was a typo between 2012 and 2013 World Champs. Yes Carfrae did win it in 2013.

 

Big typo error, apologizes!

[HappyMartin]

Enjoyed the article. I know from reading Wiggins book that he spends a lot of time on the trainer as well.

 

Tried it myself this year getting ready for a big race. I had a program from Gary Benecke and as I was too busy at work for the road I would hop on the trainer at 21:00 when I got home. It was very effective.

 

Note the article quite specifically refers to bikes mounted on trainers. Not gym type spinning bikes.

 

It is hard, horrible, boring but incredibly effective if you have specific goals.

Edited December 13, 2013 by HappyMartin

[sluiper]

I agree that spending time on the trainer is the most effective usage of your time. In my estimation, every hour on the trainer equates to 2 on the road.

 

When you're on the trainer, you're so much more focused on the end goal, i.e. improving your performance, whereas when you're on the road you're spending a lot of time cruising downhill or slacking off. You can also work out a specific program with intervals that suit your fitness levels or goals.

 

Apart from the performance benefits, you're safer than on the road, there's less wear on your bike, you're "at home", you can catch up on your favourite series, etc. etc.

 

That said, most cyclists probably don't care that much about their performance and cycle for the enjoyment of it and to get out in the open air. You also lose out on the social side of cycling which a lot of people find important.

 

I find I improve the most when I work in 1 or 2 trainer session during the week with longer rides on the bike over the weekend.

[walkerr]

 

I find I improve the most when I work in 1 or 2 trainer session during the week with longer rides on the bike over the weekend.

 

100%. I'm a social rider, no racer for sure. But regular visits to the torture machine have helped me get stronger and faster, and with that I enjoy the social rides more - less dangling at the back, tongue out sucking in air, more time up front enjoying the ride.

[F111]

Have anyone used a Wattbike for training, is it better than a spin bike. For me its better to go to spin classes that to sit alone on my trainer.

[walkerr]

As noted above, and elsewhere, an indoor trainer is different and can be better than a spin class.

 

First up, it's your bike and it fits you (hopefully). Trust me, if you pack in a few HI sessions a week, a poor fit is soon going to show up in your knees, back etc.

 

The other biggie is time efficiency - in the time it takes me to get to the gym and back, I'm more than half way through a 1 hour sweat fest at home.

 

Last up is intensity - if you have the tools to measure power, you'll probably find you work harder than spinning (a Wattbike is probably also very good on that front though I'd guess).

 

We're all different though I guess - there's a definite social element to spinning which is nice

[F111]

As noted above, and elsewhere, an indoor trainer is different and can be better than a spin class.

 

First up, it's your bike and it fits you (hopefully). Trust me, if you pack in a few HI sessions a week, a poor fit is soon going to show up in your knees, back etc.

 

The other biggie is time efficiency - in the time it takes me to get to the gym and back, I'm more than half way through a 1 hour sweat fest at home.

 

Last up is intensity - if you have the tools to measure power, you'll probably find you work harder than spinning (a Wattbike is probably also very good on that front though I'd guess).

 

We're all different though I guess - there's a definite social element to spinning which is nice

a poor fit is soon going to show up in your knees.

I agree when I started to spin with cleats I had a lot of problems with my knees and ankles, you can never get a perfect fit on a spin bike.

 

Time getting to the gym is no problem for me takes me 6 min walking.

 

The social element is great and the music is also cool makes you work harder. I am more of a visual person like to look at the scenery while cycling. Spinning indoors is not the best idea for me but with limited time and the safety aspect, its better for me to go to spin classes.

Edited December 13, 2013 by F111

[Leon Besaans]

FWIW,

 

Spinning will only take you that far, you need time in the saddle, its simple.

 

Nothing like spending time grinding away at long tedious climbs, sprinting up them etc.That makes you strong.

 

All the best.

[sluiper]

FWIW,

 

Spinning will only take you that far, you need time in the saddle, its simple.

 

Nothing like spending time grinding away at long tedious climbs, sprinting up them etc.That makes you strong.

 

All the best.

 

Hmm, I don't know so much about that.

 

Andy Potts (multiple IronMan & 70.3 champion) would probably disagree with you as he only rides outside for competition (http://www.ironman.com/triathlon-news/articles/2013/06/indoor-bicycling-training-%E2%80%A6-the-%22pros%22-outweigh-the-%22cons-%22.aspx#axzz2nMWvEQyL)

 

Many other IronMan athletes promote indoor cycling as their schedule is much tighter than an average cyclist's.

[D Vader]

Indoor training is probably much more structured and time-efficient.

BUT I would rather slowly grind away at my wrists with a cheese grater than cycle indoors. ( riding a TT roadbike is 2nd least fun way to cycle)

Edited December 18, 2013 by D Vader

[Dinamic]

The vast majority of athletes I coach/ have coached ( ranging from age grouper to pro triathletes ) have done a large % of their structured intensity training on turbos and just do their easy ride, extensive endurance stuff on the road. Saves time, is more controlled and removes the variables like traffic, wind, road surface from the equation.

 

Its much easier to say for example to get a triathlete to for example hold 4 * 7 min at 285 - 295 watts with 5 min recovery than on the road, safer too.

[walkerr]

The vast majority of athletes I coach/ have coached ( ranging from age grouper to pro triathletes ) have done a large % of their structured intensity training on turbos and just do their easy ride, extensive endurance stuff on the road. Saves time, is more controlled and removes the variables like traffic, wind, road surface from the equation.

 

Its much easier to say for example to get a triathlete to for example hold 4 * 7 min at 285 - 295 watts with 5 min recovery than on the road, safer too.

 

Also like the stats and controlled nature of it. If the programme says "250 watts at cadence 90", it's nice to see on screen whether I'm hitting that level