Peloton vs Cycling
#51
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Those don't look lime the arms of a98 pound weakling.
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With all due respect, this is nonsense. My HR goes through the freaking roof on my Peloton rides (same thing when I used to do SoulCycle). You can check my Strava if you have any doubt (same user name). If your HR is low during spin class, that's either on you or the instructor. My HR averages around 155 for a Peloton ride with a maximum of anywhere between 175-183 (183 is my absolute maximum HR). On my last ride, I spent 54% of the workout in Zone 4 and 5. In my last Tabata Peloton ride, I spent 33.2% in Zone 4, and 29.6% in Zone 5! (i.e., greater than 174bpm).
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More bums? If the stationary bike is located at a popular spin class, yes. I am quite sure that is why my colleague went to spin class (pre-pandemic). He steadfastly maintains that spin class saves time, whereas I need the time spent on my ride to mentally unwind.
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I figure that 45' indoors = 1 hour outdoors in terms of a workout. To keep bike handling skills, ride resistance rollers instead of a trainer. Indoors is for specific training goals. Outdoors is for converting the strengths one acquires on the trainer into movement up the road, and of course acquiring and keeping the skills necessary to deal with what one encounters on the road. In many locations it's hard to find outdoors what one can dial up on the trainer, plus the ability to ride at constant power or HR or cadence for long, uninterrupted periods. One can't find on the trainer many skills necessary to ride well outdoors, like riding ascending, flat, or descending rollers, climbing OOS, fast descending, etc. One might also mention group ride skills, riding in vehicle traffic, on and on.
IME spin class is a poor substitute for a proper road bike on a trainer or rollers. Spin bikes are fixed gear machines which do not have the same pedaling dynamics as a road bike on the road or rollers. I haven't ridden a Peloton. Spin class also does not give one the opportunity to work on many ordinary bike training modalities, like long periods at constant power or specific interval sets. That said, for getting a start on the season, spin class is fine, but IMO, not for all year.
IME spin class is a poor substitute for a proper road bike on a trainer or rollers. Spin bikes are fixed gear machines which do not have the same pedaling dynamics as a road bike on the road or rollers. I haven't ridden a Peloton. Spin class also does not give one the opportunity to work on many ordinary bike training modalities, like long periods at constant power or specific interval sets. That said, for getting a start on the season, spin class is fine, but IMO, not for all year.
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With all due respect, this is nonsense. My HR goes through the freaking roof on my Peloton rides (same thing when I used to do SoulCycle). You can check my Strava if you have any doubt (same user name). If your HR is low during spin class, that's either on you or the instructor. My HR averages around 155 for a Peloton ride with a maximum of anywhere between 175-183 (183 is my absolute maximum HR). On my last ride, I spent 54% of the workout in Zone 4 and 5. In my last Tabata Peloton ride, I spent 33.2% in Zone 4, and 29.6% in Zone 5! (i.e., greater than 174bpm).
#56
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IME spin class is a poor substitute for a proper road bike on a trainer or rollers. Spin bikes are fixed gear machines which do not have the same pedaling dynamics as a road bike on the road or rollers. I haven't ridden a Peloton. Spin class also does not give one the opportunity to work on many ordinary bike training modalities, like long periods at constant power or specific interval sets. That said, for getting a start on the season, spin class is fine, but IMO, not for all year.
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Yeah - I can't compare my HR to other people. Mine seems to generally be higher than my peers when exercising. I'm usually consistent among my own workouts, but some days are just anomalies. It can be affected by sleep, caffeine, food, stress, fighting illness, temperature, etc.
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I wear a HRM when Zwifting and road biking outdoors. Regardless of where I ride I try to maintain a minimum of 160 BPM with max efforts taking me to 185 (I’m 66). I have found that Zwift has increased my power and endurance while allowing me to ride indoors during bad weather. Have not found that Zwifting or outdoor cycling has done anything for upper body, but cycling is not designed for such so I do my pushups and planks and other exercises. Have also not found that riding indoors has reduced my ability to descend at speed, dodge pot holes, or ride in groups/pacelines. I can see where pure Peloton folks take to the streets with no practical outdoor experience how their cycling skills could be rather dodgy but some may have insane power.
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And those are the really scary ones. I've seen the indoor warriors do some seriously dodgy and dangerous things on the road, simply because they don't know any better.
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I use Zwift and not Peloton. I do find that some courses are tough since the climbs feel very difficult but I cannot get as fit riding indoors since I cannot make myself climb for 2-4 hours like I can outdoors on our big mountain passes. So I can just not lose a lot of fitness as opposed to really building or maintaining my fitness over the winter. That may just be me and the fact that I cannot do 3-6 hour rides on Zwift. My max is about 2.5. Average is 1.5-2. I do have a friend who can crank out 50-60 miles on it and get pretty fit so it is all in how much indoor riding/training one can endure. This winter, I plan on doing some more structured training along with normal indoor riding. I see some of my riding buddies focus a lot on the structured training and it seems that they actually maintain all their fitness and even get stronger. I'm a social creature so it is harder for me to do that. Still, that is my intent this winter.
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I use Zwift and not Peloton. I do find that some courses are tough since the climbs feel very difficult but I cannot get as fit riding indoors since I cannot make myself climb for 2-4 hours like I can outdoors on our big mountain passes. So I can just not lose a lot of fitness as opposed to really building or maintaining my fitness over the winter. That may just be me and the fact that I cannot do 3-6 hour rides on Zwift. My max is about 2.5. Average is 1.5-2. I do have a friend who can crank out 50-60 miles on it and get pretty fit so it is all in how much indoor riding/training one can endure. This winter, I plan on doing some more structured training along with normal indoor riding. I see some of my riding buddies focus a lot on the structured training and it seems that they actually maintain all their fitness and even get stronger. I'm a social creature so it is harder for me to do that. Still, that is my intent this winter.
#62
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This has to be one of THE dumbest things I have read lately.
The primary power producing muscles used for cycling are the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. The calf muscles, abdominal muscles in conjunction with upper body muscles are used for stability when riding a bike.
A real bike includes every part of your body in the ride. Legs still play the biggest part but your entire core is going to get a workout because you are going to be using your body to maintain balance, streamline yourself, and stand or sit to gain or reduce speed. You DO NOT get this sitting on a spin bike. Spin bike the focus remains below the waist.
The primary power producing muscles used for cycling are the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. The calf muscles, abdominal muscles in conjunction with upper body muscles are used for stability when riding a bike.
A real bike includes every part of your body in the ride. Legs still play the biggest part but your entire core is going to get a workout because you are going to be using your body to maintain balance, streamline yourself, and stand or sit to gain or reduce speed. You DO NOT get this sitting on a spin bike. Spin bike the focus remains below the waist.
Last edited by prj71; 08-05-21 at 09:05 AM.
#63
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I’ll admit, I drink the Wahoo coolaid…
Yes there are limitations to indoor cycling, but options exist.
Indoors….
Wind cooling not representative of outside.
No tilt on bike while climbing (working different muscles)
Indoor bike different size/position to outdoor bike
Solution
Wahoo Headwind
Faster you ride, harder it blows
Wahoo Kickr Bike
Mine is within 1/8” of my road bike in every dimension
It tilts when climbing hills
I even duplicated my Road Saddle.
Add a software like FulGaz and a big TV and riding indoors becomes fully immersive.
I even catch myself leaning into corners. 8-)
Peloton is just one option, and likely the best if you enjoy led group exercising.
But it’s not the only option for indoor cycle training.
Barry
Yes there are limitations to indoor cycling, but options exist.
Indoors….
Wind cooling not representative of outside.
No tilt on bike while climbing (working different muscles)
Indoor bike different size/position to outdoor bike
Solution
Wahoo Headwind
Faster you ride, harder it blows
Wahoo Kickr Bike
Mine is within 1/8” of my road bike in every dimension
It tilts when climbing hills
I even duplicated my Road Saddle.
Add a software like FulGaz and a big TV and riding indoors becomes fully immersive.
I even catch myself leaning into corners. 8-)
Peloton is just one option, and likely the best if you enjoy led group exercising.
But it’s not the only option for indoor cycle training.
Barry
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I wear a HRM when Zwifting and road biking outdoors. Regardless of where I ride I try to maintain a minimum of 160 BPM with max efforts taking me to 185 (I’m 66). I have found that Zwift has increased my power and endurance while allowing me to ride indoors during bad weather. Have not found that Zwifting or outdoor cycling has done anything for upper body, but cycling is not designed for such so I do my pushups and planks and other exercises. Have also not found that riding indoors has reduced my ability to descend at speed, dodge pot holes, or ride in groups/pacelines. I can see where pure Peloton folks take to the streets with no practical outdoor experience how their cycling skills could be rather dodgy but some may have insane power.
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Yeah, the training courses help with that and I am going to do more of that this year. Last year, I mostly did a lot of social riding on Zwift.
#68
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I use Zwift and not Peloton. I do find that some courses are tough since the climbs feel very difficult but I cannot get as fit riding indoors since I cannot make myself climb for 2-4 hours like I can outdoors on our big mountain passes. So I can just not lose a lot of fitness as opposed to really building or maintaining my fitness over the winter. That may just be me and the fact that I cannot do 3-6 hour rides on Zwift. My max is about 2.5. Average is 1.5-2. I do have a friend who can crank out 50-60 miles on it and get pretty fit so it is all in how much indoor riding/training one can endure. This winter, I plan on doing some more structured training along with normal indoor riding. I see some of my riding buddies focus a lot on the structured training and it seems that they actually maintain all their fitness and even get stronger. I'm a social creature so it is harder for me to do that. Still, that is my intent this winter.
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#69
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I have only done a couple of climbs on Zwift (Alpe de Zwift being one) and I found it rather brutal. Steady climbing with no respite, while sweating up a storm, for me is tough. But then most of the hills around here can be conquered in an hour or far less usually running between 6-9%. I agree with what you say about being social and non-structured but this winter I am going to bit the bullet and start a structured plan and see if I can not only maintain but improve my fitness. My buddies have coaches and they crank out amazing watts for over age 50.
#70
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For a few winters I did spin classes. When they say to add tension and climb I did. But when I got on a real bike I couldn't climb. This winter I road outside exclusively and never lost my ability to climb. In April I as in mid summer form already. Not so when going to spin.
On a spin bike there is not gravity or balance, so you're upper body doesn't get the same workout.
On a spin bike there is not gravity or balance, so you're upper body doesn't get the same workout.
I have enjoyed this thread.
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The upper body differences I've noticed from cycling basically boils down to my shoulders. I've had decent abdominal strength for years but my shoulders are now stronger from cycling. I'm in the Navy and we've switched from sit ups to planks to measure abdominal strength while still doing push ups. Cycling has really helped my ability to both do push ups and planks and not having my shoulders collapse on me.
#72
Senior Member
This has to be one of THE dumbest things I have read lately.
The primary power producing muscles used for cycling are the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. The calf muscles, abdominal muscles in conjunction with upper body muscles are used for stability when riding a bike.
A real bike includes every part of your body in the ride. Legs still play the biggest part but your entire core is going to get a workout because you are going to be using your body to maintain balance, streamline yourself, and stand or sit to gain or reduce speed. You DO NOT get this sitting on a spin bike. Spin bike the focus remains below the waist.
The primary power producing muscles used for cycling are the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. The calf muscles, abdominal muscles in conjunction with upper body muscles are used for stability when riding a bike.
A real bike includes every part of your body in the ride. Legs still play the biggest part but your entire core is going to get a workout because you are going to be using your body to maintain balance, streamline yourself, and stand or sit to gain or reduce speed. You DO NOT get this sitting on a spin bike. Spin bike the focus remains below the waist.
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No one has said you can't get strong inside. In fact, the opposite has been said. What HAS been said is that inside fitness doesn't always equate to real-world performance. I know plenty of Zwift warriors who put up big numbers inside but get their butts handed to them outside.
If you want to be strong inside, cool. Awesome. Go for it. No one is going to stop you.
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This thread is living up to the billing so far! Definitely one of the best pissing contest threads in a while. Zingers coming from both sides.
Cavendish with massive guads? Grepel with massive arms? Keep em coming.
Cavendish with massive guads? Grepel with massive arms? Keep em coming.
Last edited by seypat; 08-05-21 at 12:05 PM.
#75
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Because the ones who workout on the trainer are squirrelly??