beginner DVD's for cycling

2017-10-29 2:11 PM

Extreme Veteran

1106

, Connecticut

Subject: beginner DVD's for cycling

I have the Irongirl DVD, and while I hate the use of "girl", it is a good intro.

How about Spinnervals? I'm looking and they all seem to be 9.5 killer workouts. I'm thinking a 6.0 will probably kick my a**, but not finding them on Amazon. Is there another series of DVD's I should be looking at. Been riding on the trainer to movies or sports documentaries, but I think I need more structured dvd's that will work on technique, cadence, and hammering in big gears.

Something with scenery to cue in for increasing and decreasing resistance sounds nice. Saw something about Lake Placid, but got bad reviews on the quality of the camera work.

Mitzi

jmhpsu93

2017-10-30 11:38 AM

in reply to: MuscleMomma

Expert

4921

Middle River, Maryland

Silver member

Subject: RE: beginner DVD's for cycling

I have a couple of spinervals DVDs and yeah, they're hard. So are the Sufferfest videos, minus a couple of them (but there are way more reasonable ones than there used to be...). I think you'll find most of them to be that way.

I just record the Tour de France every summer and then watch the 100ish hours of over the winter while doing Trainer Road workouts.

2017-10-30 5:56 PM

in reply to: 0

Master

8248

Eugene, Oregon

Bronze member

Subject: RE: beginner DVD's for cycling

I just use workouts from my coach or sometimes Jorge's program on this site, and watch videos from Youtube channels like HD Cycling and Bike the World. The former has maybe 100 scenic rides in Europe to nicely paced techno music; recorded by a German cycling club. Bike the World is just video, no sound. Supply your own. Many of Europe's most famous scenic rides, mostly in Italy and France. You can also use sites like Trainer Road for workouts. If it's harder than you want to go, tweak the ratio of hard ride to recovery, and/or ride easier on the recovery. (For Jorge's workouts in particular--I don't know about other people, but even the easy first week workouts, the recovery watts seem too high to actually recover). I sometimes do the latter in off season if I'm feeling a bit under the weather or just lazy that day.

Edited by Hot Runner 2017-10-30 5:57 PM

2017-11-03 1:02 AM

in reply to: Hot Runner

Extreme Veteran

1106

, Connecticut

Subject: RE: beginner DVD's for cycling

Thanks, will definitely check out Trainer roads and the youtube channels.

kloofyroland

2017-11-03 1:24 AM

in reply to: Hot Runner

Master

2760

Los Angeles, CA

Subject: RE: beginner DVD's for cycling

Originally posted by Hot Runner

I just use workouts from my coach or sometimes Jorge's program on this site, and watch videos from Youtube channels like HD Cycling and Bike the World. The former has maybe 100 scenic rides in Europe to nicely paced techno music; recorded by a German cycling club. Bike the World is just video, no sound. Supply your own. Many of Europe's most famous scenic rides, mostly in Italy and France. You can also use sites like Trainer Road for workouts. If it's harder than you want to go, tweak the ratio of hard ride to recovery, and/or ride easier on the recovery. (For Jorge's workouts in particular--I don't know about other people, but even the easy first week workouts, the recovery watts seem too high to actually recover). I sometimes do the latter in off season if I'm feeling a bit under the weather or just lazy that day.

I like Jorge's plan.

2017-11-03 2:50 AM

in reply to: 0

Master

8248

Eugene, Oregon

Bronze member

Subject: RE: beginner DVD's for cycling

I'm doing it again for a while. (Not going to start coaching until/if I can start running again.) But I'll admit, I don't watch the watts on the recovery. I just ride easy! Last year at a training camp I did a few Computrainer rides with some pro and nearly pro triathletes, and actually I was riding a higher % of my FTP for "recovery" than they were most of the time. Unless it's some kind of "over-under" workout where you're supposed to stick closer to race watts, I feel like I get a better workout by taking the recovery easier and pushing the hard part at the recommended watts.

Edited by Hot Runner 2017-11-03 2:51 AM

kloofyroland

2017-11-03 1:58 PM

in reply to: MuscleMomma

Master

2760

Los Angeles, CA

Subject: RE: beginner DVD's for cycling

Originally posted by MuscleMomma

I have the Irongirl DVD, and while I hate the use of "girl", it is a good intro.

How about Spinnervals?

I've used Spinervals in my first few years as a triathlete and still use them. You can download the ones you want from their website. The ones I've used most are:

Easy: 16.0, 28.0

Moderate: 30.0

Hard: 14.0, 27.0, 29.0

There are trailers for each that you can play before you purchase.

simpsonbo

2017-11-03 2:06 PM

in reply to: MuscleMomma

Veteran

2297

Great White North

Subject: RE: beginner DVD's for cycling

YouTube... GCN

My Race Log

simpsonbo

2017-11-03 2:38 PM

in reply to: MuscleMomma

Veteran

2297

Great White North

Subject: RE: beginner DVD's for cycling

Train with GCN: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUdAMlZtaV13e3-rJq1W0O1kf2DVl...

My Race Log

2017-11-03 6:49 PM

in reply to: simpsonbo

Master

8248

Eugene, Oregon

Bronze member

Subject: RE: beginner DVD's for cycling

Yep, I have done some of those. You can adapt it to your own fitness level with heart rate, effort level, or power, depending on what metric you use. Again, if it's too hard, ease off on the recovery. HD Cycling channel also has some structured workouts that are similar (scenery, group of riders, cues to speed up, slow down, etc.) Most are fairly short (30-60 minute range). I tend to use Jorge's or my coach's workouts for long rides. (I do almost all my riding here indoors. Just not very safe to do a hard workout with power targets outside; the only semi-safe place I can ride has a lot of variable winds, so that makes it even harder to control what I do. I do try to get in several workouts there before races though.)

2017-11-05 6:22 PM

in reply to: Hot Runner

Extreme Veteran

1106

, Connecticut

Subject: RE: beginner DVD's for cycling

Thanks.

2017-11-07 10:14 PM

in reply to: MuscleMomma

Extreme Veteran

1106

, Connecticut

Subject: RE: beginner DVD's for cycling

Looked at some of the videos. Many of the classes were on spin bikes and had you stand in an upright position. Is there any value to that? Also found some more cycling oriented ones.

2017-11-08 5:39 AM

in reply to: MuscleMomma

Master

8248

Eugene, Oregon

Bronze member

Subject: RE: beginner DVD's for cycling

Here are some of my all-time favorite videos. They don't have a workout included, but you can find those on this site or others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37aQnKI3WbYAbout 2 1/2 hours of heavenly virtual riding in the Italian Alps.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN-yGLEco8gThe HD Cycling crew at their wacky best; virtual beer stop included. 1:37
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwcc_t_j4GQThe same crew in Italy. I have done this ride in real life--just as awesome! About 1:20.

As for standing, probably of limited value to triathletes. It can help build strength but isn't the kind of riding one does in most events. The unaccustomed position and high resistance that usually accompanies it can also leave you vulnerable to injury. I would look for workouts more oriented to triathletes and cyclists.