thehammerdog

Anyone using spin bike for winter training.

wolfchild

I ride outside all winter. I don't use indoor trainers or spin bikes...I can't imagine how boring it must be to be sitting and spinning on an indoor trainer or a spin bike and not going anywhere.

pinsonp2 

I use a spin bike in winter. I have several Spinervals dvds I use for my workouts. Sometimes a movie or tv show.

P2

jpescatore

At home I use a Wahoo smart indoor trainer and Zwift - loads of fun, great workouts. I will still ride outdoors when the weather permits, but with Zwift in March, I am in way better shape than when I was only doing outdoor rides over the winter. Huge difference over a "dumb" trainer - I always got bored when tried those, watching TV while riding just didn't cut it.

Over the winter, I do some spin classes at my local gym, since they are free. More just to burn calories and have a chance of pace. The better instructors do structured sessions, often including high intensity intervals, but many are just "pedal to the music" sessions.

jadocs

I had a Keiser M3 spin bike and sold it. Great bike, but I wanted more than just sitting and pedaling. I too switched over to smart trainers, but wanted more realism so I purchased smart rollers.

prj71

^^^This.

Otherwise known as bike prison. Get a fat bike and ride the snow.

wojowojo16

I have a peloton, been riding more since it got cold....don't hate, I like it.

burnthesheep

I use one with Zwift. Work gym has a Cycleops stationary with a Powertap on it. You have to manually up/down the wattage on the head unit while riding it........but it works and it's something.

Also, you can buy a used one-sided power meter pedal for cheapo and put it on a spin bike or gym bike and then use it with Zwift. Just no gears and manual resistance adjustment.

livedarklions

My snow riding days are pretty much over, I just don't enjoy it. I use the elliptical in the gym throughout the winter. It's a better workout than a stationary bike.

SpinClassSara

All year, I ride inside!!!

thehammerdog

i have an option to get a pretty high end spin bike for $200.
I try to ride outside but weather and darkness make it very difficult but for weekends.

caloso

Due to changes in work duties and my kids' school schedules, it's been challenging for me to get much outside riding during the week. I have a Zwift set-up in the garage: trainer, powermeter, iPad to TV on a workbench, and a big fan. I also have access to spin bike in the gym in my building. It's not as nice as being on my own bike, but it has a "constant watts" setting that seems to be in the ballpark, so it gets the job done.

livedarklions

I think people who ride vary a lot on whether or not they're willing to do indoor training. $200 seems like a pretty low-stakes risk if you think it might suit you. Worse comes to worse, you can probably resell it for pretty close to your purchase price.

FlMTNdude

I would think that it might be a pleasant option when humidity is pushing 100% and overnight lows only hit 80 in the summer.

rumrunn6

a friend of ours recently bought a Peloton, I haven't tried it & haven't discussed it with her yet. I use recumbent bikes at the gym. but I try to ride a real bike outside at least once a week year 'round

Needles

If it's really cold, or cold and wet, I go to the gym. I'll do some abs, some weights, and either do the stair climber, elliptical, or spin bikes. I tend to do recumbants in the gym, because the seats on their upright bikes are uncomfortable. I don't run on the treadmills, because my knees ache afterwards.

Moe Zhoost

When the company left town, they transferred much of their stock to the local bike Co-op. Definitely a cheap way to get through the winter muck without damaging your good-weather rides.

Happy Feet

I occasionally use a spin bike to work on smoothing out my cadence and for HIIT training off season so I don't de condition too much. For basic cardio and fun though I trail run or cycle all year. In the shorter winter days I tend to focus on hill climbing for both as that gives a good workout in less time.

This is the first full winter I've had a fat bike. Judging by the fun I had with my old 26" mtb I can't wait to see what trouble I get into.

friday1970

Rollers and earbuds. Good EDM and maybe a laptop propped up in front of me with a video shot from a bike ride on YouTube

308jerry

My wife loves the one that I bought for her last Christmas. It's enabled her to lose a few lbs and keep them off. A Peloton I think it is......... I'm an outdoor kind of guy....

thehammerdog

This happened Monday of last week. Tis why i now own a spin bike.

Daniel4

This.

A few minutes plowing through the snow and ice can get your heart going really fast. There's also nothing like the feeling of stripping off layers while the people at bus stops are all bundled up and still freezing their hynies.

downhillmaster

My wife does ever since I surprised her with one as a gift and then guilted her into using it

mrt2you

i do. i picked up nordictack GX4.2 pro off craigslist for $50 a couple of years ago. it had a minor problem with the crank, was loose. the owner didn't want to pay someone to fix again and it was rarely used. remove a couple of screws, a dab of red loctight, tighten a bolt and everything is fine.
it has magnetic resistance with built in programs. it allows the use of my heart rate chest strap that i use on the bike. it also has IFit built into it to connect you to the internet to join groups and access fitness trainers. i don't use this feature because it costs $$$ to use it. i just use a few programs and mostly just spin and manually adjust the resistance according to my HR wile watching TV..
i really don't do winter riding so it's nice to have something convenient in my home instead of going to the gym to get my cardio in. it's also rather boring using it. i usually hop on first thing in the am. do 20 min of cardio to get things moving to start the day. if i don't do a lot of walking around at work i will do another 20 min after work when i get home. and a lot of times i will even use it first thing in the am in the warmer weather times also because it is so convenient sitting in my home. once you get into a regular habit of using it it won't feel right if you don't get your cardio in for the day. the key is keep it short and sweet. i really couldn't stand going more than 30 min on it in a single use.


as others have posted for $200 there isn't much downside risk in purchasing it if you have the space to use it. buy it, try it, if you don't like it sell it in jan when the get in shape new years resolutions people go on a buying spree.

indyfabz

Beat me to it!