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Indoor cycling vs real cycling
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 2010-08-15 10:33 AM |
New user  31 |  Subject: Indoor cycling vs real cyclingI would like to know if you guys think there is a massive difference between cycling indoors and outdoors. I am sure it will be more beneficial to train 'real' conditions as much as possible, but at the moment I can only do my long ride on Saturdays and (maybe) one shorter ride during the week outside. Will it be OK if my other 1-3 rides a week are in the gym (at about 75% max HR for 45-60min)? Give me your thoughts. |
| 2010-08-15 11:03 AM in reply to: #3044435 |
Pro 4824    Houston | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling By indoor cycling do you mean your bike on a trainer, spin bike or stationary bike? By far it is most advantageous to ride your bike outside a distant second would be your bike on a trainer followed by a spin bike and then stationary bike. Can you ride before work? After work? |
| 2010-08-15 11:09 AM in reply to: #3044453 |
New user 31 | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling Indoor training is on a spin bike. Have to travel by car to get to a bike friendly road from where I live, but if training on a spin bike is not really that beneficial I guess I'll just have to make a plan. Thanks for the input. |
| 2010-08-15 11:19 AM in reply to: #3044435 |
Veteran 345 Houston, TX | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling It really wasn't the same for me. I did spin classes for years before getting on a real bike. Thought I pretty much kicked butt in those classes - instructors would joke that I made them look out of shape. Got on a real bike and I am a total joke. Even after 6 months of riding I still can barely ride the speed of an average "beginner." I still do spin once and awhile for fun, to chat with old friends from the class or just for a good calorie burn - but I don't ever consider it part of my "cycling" training, just doesn't seem the same for me. |
| 2010-08-15 2:50 PM in reply to: #3044457 |
Pro 6011  Camp Hill, Pennsylvania | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling Triceratops - 2010-08-15 12:09 PM Indoor training is on a spin bike. Have to travel by car to get to a bike friendly road from where I live, but if training on a spin bike is not really that beneficial I guess I'll just have to make a plan. Thanks for the input. It's all relative. biking outside > biking on a trainer > riding a spin bike > riding a stationary bike Some of the top pros do most of their riding on a trainer (Most notably Andy Potts), because it's more time efficient and it's more controlled. If it's really that big of a problem for you, you could buy a trainer. |
| 2010-08-15 3:31 PM in reply to: #3044435 |
Champion 7136 Knoxville area | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling I think of riding a gym's bike (even the nice one's) does for your biking about the same as an elliptical trainer does for your running. Not much. If you are serious about cycling/tri and have to ride inside, get a trainer or some rollers. |
| 2010-08-15 3:35 PM in reply to: #3044435 |
Pro 5169 Burbs | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling If you are interested in buying a trainer for your bike, check craiglist. There are quite a few on there for not a lot of cash. |
 2010-08-15 4:28 PM in reply to: #3044435 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2010-08-15 5:05 PM in reply to: #3044766 |
| Champion 8936 | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling PennState - 2010-08-15 4:28 PM Riding a trainer and following a winter training program (Jorge posts them here) is just as good as biking outdoors. The problem with trainers is that they can get very boring. Yeah, I don't really get the outside > inside on trainer thing. Watts are watts and effort is effort. It's the same bike. And yes, I hate the trainer because it's boring. |
| 2010-08-15 5:12 PM in reply to: #3044795 |
| Pro 4824 Houston | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling DerekL - 2010-08-15 5:05 PM PennState - 2010-08-15 4:28 PM Riding a trainer and following a winter training program (Jorge posts them here) is just as good as biking outdoors. The problem with trainers is that they can get very boring. Yeah, I don't really get the outside > inside on trainer thing. Watts are watts and effort is effort. It's the same bike. And yes, I hate the trainer because it's boring. I would agree IF you are used to riding your bike outside already as you are since you have been doing this for a while. For me riding outside is more difficult because I am new on the bike. I rode on my trainer this winter and that helped me but getting used to riding in traffic, making left turns etc. takes a lot of practice. Obviously riding on a trainer is better than spin, stationary or nothing and if you already have bike fitness and you feel comfortable on a bike it is certainly beneficial. I guess my point is like Mademille I was great indoors but cornering, turning and controlling the bike was important and you don't get to do that on a trainer. Edited by KeriKadi 2010-08-15 5:13 PM |
| 2010-08-15 5:14 PM in reply to: #3044435 |
| Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling As long as I am on my bike, a 1 hour trainer ride is (or can be made to be, it's up to you) WAY harder than a 1 hour ride outside. I have a HIM next spring. I plan to do my Sat ride outside, everything else will be indoors. IMHO, outside is > inside just because riding a bike outdoors is > riding on a trainer. Not necessarily from a training perspective. Edited by ChrisM 2010-08-15 5:15 PM |
| 2010-08-15 5:43 PM in reply to: #3044435 |
| Veteran 284 | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling This is a great topic because I am traveling right now and don't have access to a bike. Is it worth doing anything on the hotel stationary bike? Or would another run be a better use of my time? |
| 2010-08-15 5:55 PM in reply to: #3044435 |
| Elite 3315 Miami | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling trainer rides can definitely build fitness if you have correct workouts... |
| 2010-08-15 6:00 PM in reply to: #3044795 |
| Master 1927 Guilford, CT | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling DerekL - 2010-08-15 5:05 PM Yep. I talked about this with a coach/former pro cyclist and he said his highest quality workouts are inside a couple times a week year round. Easier to control and structure workouts. Of course he has access to a better setup than most people, but you can do the same on your trainer. Can't comment on the handling part, never been an issue for me. I'll be doing lots of interval and indoor hillwork this offseason though.PennState - 2010-08-15 4:28 PM Riding a trainer and following a winter training program (Jorge posts them here) is just as good as biking outdoors. The problem with trainers is that they can get very boring. Yeah, I don't really get the outside > inside on trainer thing. Watts are watts and effort is effort. It's the same bike. And yes, I hate the trainer because it's boring. |
| 2010-08-15 6:23 PM in reply to: #3044847 |
| Champion 5522 Frisco, TX | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling acumenjay - 2010-08-15 6:00 PM DerekL - 2010-08-15 5:05 PM Yep. I talked about this with a coach/former pro cyclist and he said his highest quality workouts are inside a couple times a week year round. Easier to control and structure workouts. Of course he has access to a better setup than most people, but you can do the same on your trainer. Can't comment on the handling part, never been an issue for me. I'll be doing lots of interval and indoor hillwork this offseason though.PennState - 2010-08-15 4:28 PM Riding a trainer and following a winter training program (Jorge posts them here) is just as good as biking outdoors. The problem with trainers is that they can get very boring. Yeah, I don't really get the outside > inside on trainer thing. Watts are watts and effort is effort. It's the same bike. And yes, I hate the trainer because it's boring. I think I get more benefit from the trainer than riding outside, although I do think you have to get on the roads every now and again (say like once per week). Intervals are difficult to do outside when you live in town... The only thing is to make sure that you are going hard enough on the trainer when you are supposed to be doing a hard interval. As far as using the "exercise bike" in a hotel - I think I would go for another run... |
| 2010-08-15 6:32 PM in reply to: #3044435 |
| Elite 3913 far northern CA | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling I am a Spinning instructor. If you are in the middle of a training program, I would buy a trainer or rollers and do your own workout as planned if you cannot get outside to ride. If you are just riding to ride and not in the middle of a training plan, going to an indoor cycling class is a fantastic option IF you are able to find an instructor that is also an outdoor cyclist that avoids all the stupid, bouncy, contraindicated movements. It is difficult to find a good instructor. If you do take an indoor cycling class, ask yourself if you would do the movements taught on your own bike outside. If not, then don't go back to that class. I wouldn't even bother with the computerized stationary bikes found on the floor of the cardio area in a gym. |
| 2010-08-15 6:51 PM in reply to: #3044435 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2010-08-15 9:33 PM in reply to: #3044435 |
 Bronze member | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling I bought my bike a year ago April, rode it outside all summer 3 days a week. Bought a bike trainer in November and did a spinnervals DVD with that EVIL Coach Troy. It was only a 45 min workout and I was covered in sweat, heart was beating out of my chest, and I was staggering like a drunk when I got off the bike. It is what you put into it. |
| 2010-08-15 10:39 PM in reply to: #3044435 |
| Expert 913 Lost in the Evergreens | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling Spinning is great when It's dark, and cold and wet outside. Get yourself a heartrate monitor so you reallly know you personal level of exertion. Spin has the advantage that you can do things on a trainer or stationary bike that just doesn't happen on the road. Like exended single leg drills, extended positions like hover that focus on triggering the glutes as the start of the power stroke and you can focus on smooth circles and long levers when you're exhausted instead of watching for glass, holes, cracks, cars and crackheads.Spin class does not teach you to read the road and time your accelerations and how to find another 3percent to reach the top of a hill at your maximum speed. Each is an important component in a complete training plan. |
| 2010-08-15 11:12 PM in reply to: #3044435 |
| Melon Presser 52116 | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling Triceratops - 2010-08-15 11:33 PM I would like to know if you guys think there is a massive difference between cycling indoors and outdoors. I am sure it will be more beneficial to train 'real' conditions as much as possible, but at the moment I can only do my long ride on Saturdays and (maybe) one shorter ride during the week outside. Will it be OK if my other 1-3 rides a week are in the gym (at about 75% max HR for 45-60min)? Give me your thoughts. It depends. 45-60 minutes sounds like indoor cycling classes. See owl_girl's post regarding those. If you can get on an indoor cycling bike which you can set up pretty closely to your road riding configuration, and you can do your own workout (and you know how to use appropriate resistance), I'd say it'd be perfectly fine. I did lots of indoor cycling to prep for a HIM, but then again, I was a Spinning(R) instructor for Spinning instructors and had a lot of alone time with the bikes, too. Does your long ride mimic the conditions of the races you'll be doing? As pointed out, bike handling is important. |
| 2010-08-15 11:22 PM in reply to: #3044435 |
| Elite 4235 Spring, TX | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling Triceratops - 2010-08-15 10:33 AM I would like to know if you guys think there is a massive difference between cycling indoors and outdoors. I am sure it will be more beneficial to train 'real' conditions as much as possible, but at the moment I can only do my long ride on Saturdays and (maybe) one shorter ride during the week outside. Will it be OK if my other 1-3 rides a week are in the gym (at about 75% max HR for 45-60min)? Give me your thoughts. At the end of the day, riding a spin bike is better than not riding at all. Riding your real bike would be preferable, but if it's not feasible, then do what you can! I'd agree with the sentiment that riding with my bike on an indoor trainer gives me a much better workout than an outdoor ride. But if I'm going to be in the saddle for over an hour, it's time to head outside! Side note: I'd suggest doing some tests and basing your HR zones on your actual fitness instead of MaxHR. IMO, Max HR is a fairly useless number. |
| 2010-08-16 12:33 AM in reply to: #3045146 |
| New user 31 | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling instead of watching for glass, holes, cracks, cars and crackheads. That's about half the reason for my question!  |
| 2010-08-16 1:03 AM in reply to: #3044435 |
| Regular 209 Flagstaff | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling Triceratops - 2010-08-15 5:33 AM I would like to know if you guys think there is a massive difference between cycling indoors and outdoors. I am sure it will be more beneficial to train 'real' conditions as much as possible, but at the moment I can only do my long ride on Saturdays and (maybe) one shorter ride during the week outside. Will it be OK if my other 1-3 rides a week are in the gym (at about 75% max HR for 45-60min)? Give me your thoughts. One of our local elite AGs (fastest local Kona finisher every year) says that he only does 1 ride a week outdoors. The rest are on the trainer. I love my trainer, try to ride it at least 3 times a week. As long as you're getting at least one quality ride out on the bike I think you'll be fine. |
| 2010-08-16 8:32 AM in reply to: #3045212 |
| Champion 11989 Philly 'burbs | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling bschorr - 2010-08-16 2:03 AM I love my trainer, try to ride it at least 3 times a week. You live in Hawaii and you love riding the trainer? |
| 2010-08-16 9:20 AM in reply to: #3044435 |
| Veteran 141 Wolverine, Michigan | Subject: RE: Indoor cycling vs real cycling Effort is effort. If you are on the same bike outside or on the trainer it all depends on how hard you are working. Edited by NorthernNewbie 2010-08-16 9:22 AM |
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