Trainer Time--Too much-Too little?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New England
Posts: 1,001
Bikes: Trek 1.1
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
2 Posts
Trainer Time--Too much-Too little?
Got a nice little trainer for Christmas and believe it is useful in keeping me fit during the winter. Problem is the more I read about methods the more confused I get. Had been settling in at 80 minutes a day. Now I read that one should not train too long on one. "most people find they don't want to do more than 45 minutes". And that every other day is sufficient. Good lord, I am 75 and doing 80 minutes! Am I not peddling hard enough or fast enough? Usually work up a sweat to some degree and yesterday took my pulse and found it to be around 75 percent of my maximum heart rate for my age during the middle phase (I start out easy and then work harder through the middle phase then easy again before quitting.) The other day I did 20 minutes of easy peddling and then an hour of cross country skiing.
#2
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
22 Posts
I have no idea how long you should ride one. I ride mine until the boredom gets to me and I'm afraid Ill commit suicide if I stay on the infernal contraption one more minute.
edit - that's usually about an hour
edit - that's usually about an hour
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,489
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
2 Posts
+1 with the minor modification. It's usually about 10 minutes before the boredom sets in. From that point on it's close to unbearable. Quitting smoking 35 years ago seemed easier than riding the trainer.
__________________
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
#4
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Delaware
Posts: 26
Bikes: Treks 7300
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Got a nice little trainer for Christmas and believe it is useful in keeping me fit during the winter. Problem is the more I read about methods the more confused I get. Had been settling in at 80 minutes a day. Now I read that one should not train too long on one. "most people find they don't want to do more than 45 minutes". And that every other day is sufficient. Good lord, I am 75 and doing 80 minutes! Am I not peddling hard enough or fast enough? Usually work up a sweat to some degree and yesterday took my pulse and found it to be around 75 percent of my maximum heart rate for my age during the middle phase (I start out easy and then work harder through the middle phase then easy again before quitting.) The other day I did 20 minutes of easy peddling and then an hour of cross country skiing.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 597
Bikes: Kvale, Peugeot, Cervelo, Bridgestone
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Like anything else, it's good to work up to a goal. Because of my work hours and desire to ride, I often (3x week) do 2.5 hours on Kreitler rollers with the Headwind resistance attachment. I have an iPod mounted to aero bars and watch or listen to stuff.
You get used to it...
You get used to it...
#6
Version 7.0
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 13,120
Bikes: Too Many
Mentioned: 297 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1338 Post(s)
Liked 2,474 Times
in
1,449 Posts
Too much time on a trainer sounds like BS. IMO, the reason that most do not want to spend more than 45 minutes is that it is boring. In general, I like to ride the trainer but I always have a goal in mind when I start. Just getting on to ride for fitness would be difficult.
I like your trainer / cross country skiing routine. Keep it up. I sounds like you are doing great.
I like your trainer / cross country skiing routine. Keep it up. I sounds like you are doing great.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,866
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1854 Post(s)
Liked 661 Times
in
504 Posts
Like anything else, it's good to work up to a goal. Because of my work hours and desire to ride, I often (3x week) do 2.5 hours on Kreitler rollers with the Headwind resistance attachment. I have an iPod mounted to aero bars and watch or listen to stuff.
You get used to it...
You get used to it...
builds character!
I think the advice the OP got was not a prescription, just a description of how most trainers get used. I'd say use it as much as you like, with whatever kind of training plan you like. One training book coach, Dirk Friel, has written a set of workout plans specifically for trainers. "Workouts in a Binder for Indoor Cycling;" Velo Press, ISBN 1-931382-75-1. Start lobbying now for your early Valentine's present!
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Nashville, Tn
Posts: 103
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD 10, Cannondale Synapse
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When I feel too lazy to get on the trainer, I think about how much fun I had last year on the road, and about the goal to be stronger and faster this spring! Makes it easy to get on the beast and fire it up.
Right or wrong, one hour at a pretty good resistance, try to maintain 85 rpm for an hour three times a week. Have been a pedal masher forever, this spring I intend to FLY.
Three days a week at the gym on alternate days, and I patiently await warmer weather. Eighteen degrees now.
Right or wrong, one hour at a pretty good resistance, try to maintain 85 rpm for an hour three times a week. Have been a pedal masher forever, this spring I intend to FLY.
Three days a week at the gym on alternate days, and I patiently await warmer weather. Eighteen degrees now.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 597
Bikes: Kvale, Peugeot, Cervelo, Bridgestone
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I highly recommend the Chris Carmichael "Cycling for Cadence" DVD. Done correctly, it will raise your cadence (and fitness) dramatically with just a couple of sessions.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Colorado Springs, CO.
Posts: 2,116
Bikes: 2011 ICE Sprint Special Edition
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 101 Times
in
66 Posts
ROTFLMAO!!!! AMEN, I feel your pain!
__________________
Take Care, Ride Safe, have FUN! :)
Jo: 2009 ICE Trice T
BJ: 2011 ICE Sprint Special Edition
Take Care, Ride Safe, have FUN! :)
Jo: 2009 ICE Trice T
BJ: 2011 ICE Sprint Special Edition
#11
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
22 Posts
#12
Version 7.0
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 13,120
Bikes: Too Many
Mentioned: 297 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1338 Post(s)
Liked 2,474 Times
in
1,449 Posts
Here is a link to my coaches website that discusses trainers, time and use etc.... https://sportvelo.com/tips/stationary_trainers.htm
#13
Newbie
Aside from the boredom factor riding indoors on a trainer is much more efficient training method than riding outdoors. There are no outside factors such as traffic, stop signs/lights, weather, etc.. and most important of them all no coasting. It is a great tool to increase your level..