The Ontario Ride to Conquer Cancer

john.sulja · Newbie

Indoor Trainers?

MCAT Marksy · Member

i'm sure with equipment you will get all kinds of opinions...none are wrong it's just personal preference and experience. There are about 10 guys at my work doing triathlon and we use the Tacx Flow trainers at work. They are smooth and have been doing the job for us for the last 4 years. There is a digital readout that clips on to your bars that gives you cadence, watts, speed, mileage etc....if i'm not mistaken they go for around $350ish...check out tacx.com for further info.....hope this helps. Marksy

donw · Veteran Member

I bought a CycleOps fluid trainer this year and think it is great. The only thing it lacks is motivation! That is where spinning classes are better in my opinion.

I have also used a friends CycleOps roller (link below) that takes some getting use to but is much more interesting and helps to improve your spin form. http://www.modernbike.com/itemgroup.asp?IGPK=2126174767

For me, nothing beats the road so I continue to ride on the cold dry days!

john.sulja · Newbie

Thanks for the tips... I decided that with only a couple of cold months to go, spinning classes at the gym are a better deal than investing in the trainer. Now if only I could find someplace to pick up some motivation!

neilm · Member

Well, I occasionally use my trainer and attend 2 spinning classes a week, but you want motivation? I've decided on the road winter training works the best for me. It's like the "Rocky" mentality with the less than desireable elements you're forced to concentrate even harder and by the time you get warmed up you've done 20k! wink

ElaKuz · Veteran Member

I was thinking of joining spinning classes but I am afriad of getting lost in the dust.

I know I know, no actual dust, but whenever I walk past those rooms, they all seem so INTENSE!

Can anyone recommend beginner spin classes?

I belong to Goodlife btw...

Hammerhead 1 · Veteran Member

Hey,
Spinning classes will not leave you in the dust; you work at your own pace, but the group, the music and the instructor all work to motivate you to work harder than you otherwise would (unless you are very disciplined). Since you control you tension and cadence, you do not need to blow yourself out of the water. I recommend you just try a class; it is a great workout and you can challenge yourself when you are ready.

On the indoor trainer subject; I use the virtual reality training videos (Robbie Ventura); put the video on and train along with the riders on the screen; Makes me feel like I am riding along with them and I definitely work hard to keep up with the people on the screen. Much better than listening to music or watching a show while on the trainer. Maximizes the workout. For anyone interested, I use a CycleOps Fluid2 trainer; it is great!

neilm · Member

Hey ElaKuz, if you live in Toronto, the west end to be specific, RPM on Bloor (beside High Park) is a great place to spin and I believe they have discounts for "riders". The classes are small enough that the instructor can help one on one.

ElaKuz · Veteran Member

Thanks you guys!!!!!!

I will try a spinning class sometime next week...

Bite the bullet...

Lets Get This!

:p

krinkle · Newbie

I have been doing spin classes since January and I thought the same way until I went to a class and told the instructor that it was my first time, she helped me set my bike up and encouraged me the whole way through the class. I now do them 3 times a week. biggrin

mweerasinghe · Veteran Member

nothing beats Kurt Kinetic trainers in price and warranty for a well built trainer....period.