Improving leg strength/stamina - spinning?
Discussion
Since early April, I've been mixing cycling and running, having had some targets - 5k run last month (25m30s), and a 10k last night (53m).
Now its time to focus on cycling, as I'm intending to do the Basingstoke Big Wheel ride - preferably the 51 mile distance. After all, its good to have a challenge.
The gym manager has suggested I start doing the spinning classes - never done them before, so I'm a little nervous at the prospect.
Are they any good for improving on leg strength, with regards to improving my (probably feeble) hill climb ability?
Now its time to focus on cycling, as I'm intending to do the Basingstoke Big Wheel ride - preferably the 51 mile distance. After all, its good to have a challenge.
The gym manager has suggested I start doing the spinning classes - never done them before, so I'm a little nervous at the prospect.
Are they any good for improving on leg strength, with regards to improving my (probably feeble) hill climb ability?
mcelliott said:
Get out on the road, you can't beat it, no amount of spinning will improve
your climbing.
I disagree your climbing.
On a spin bike you can push much harder than on the road as there is no traffic etc to worry about. So long as you get a good instructor who understands position on the bike it can help build good habits for efficient climbing. As for power output it will increase so long as you are running enough load to put your legs under stress.
the_stoat said:
I disagree
On a spin bike you can push much harder than on the road as there is no traffic etc to worry about. So long as you get a good instructor who understands position on the bike it can help build good habits for efficient climbing. As for power output it will increase so long as you are running enough load to put your legs under stress.
Well we'll have to disagree then because I've done 100's of sessions (spinning/turbo) - they are all listed on the 'what training have you done today' thread, and as hard as they are, and I agree they do build leg strength, you CANNOT replicate a climb on the road, because spinning sessions don't prepare you for cross wind, head wind, gradient changes, changes in road surface etc. Also, it's very difficult to mimic position on a spinning bike compared to your road bike, and if you are worried about the traffic, find a quiet stretch of road. So, to re-iterate to the OP, get out on the road, find a hilly circuit, that is the best way to prepare for your ride.On a spin bike you can push much harder than on the road as there is no traffic etc to worry about. So long as you get a good instructor who understands position on the bike it can help build good habits for efficient climbing. As for power output it will increase so long as you are running enough load to put your legs under stress.
mcelliott said:
Well we'll have to disagree then because I've done 100's of sessions (spinning/turbo) - they are all listed on the 'what training have you done today' thread, and as hard as they are, and I agree they do build leg strength, you CANNOT replicate a climb on the road, because spinning sessions don't prepare you for cross wind, head wind, gradient changes, changes in road surface etc. Also, it's very difficult to mimic position on a spinning bike compared to your road bike, and if you are worried about the traffic, find a quiet stretch of road. So, to re-iterate to the OP, get out on the road, find a hilly circuit, that is the best way to prepare for your ride.
I've only ever done gym bikes to supplement my road riding, but have never done spinning classes. The gym is at work, so its additional exercise that I can do when I get in (7.15) or at lunch. Then the real bike is used on an evening.I'm intending to just do damn near anything I can to improve my legs in prep for the 51 miler. I don't want to wuss out and only do the 27.
Thankfully they've given the routes for both the 27 and 51 mile rides, and there are some cracking roads/hills on t'other side of the M3. So out there I will go!
The risk with spinning is that many instructors will run you at a cadence of 120-130, with much lower resistance than you experience on the road.
The "Adidas Zone" classes are much closer to road conditions than say an "RPM" class.
The big benefit of spin is that in a 45 min class you can get you HR up and have a very intense workout... Probably burn more calories in that timeframe. And a 7pm class fits easily after work.
I used to spin then swim 750m 3 times a week. My strength and stamina improved loads during that time.
The "Adidas Zone" classes are much closer to road conditions than say an "RPM" class.
The big benefit of spin is that in a 45 min class you can get you HR up and have a very intense workout... Probably burn more calories in that timeframe. And a 7pm class fits easily after work.
I used to spin then swim 750m 3 times a week. My strength and stamina improved loads during that time.
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