Rollers or turbo?
Discussion
I use the £120ish elite parabolic rollers which are great.
Cons: They can be hard to get used to, you need somewhere to hold on or support yourself if you are using spds, you cant get out of the saddle and really push it hard.
Pros: They provide a really tough workout and keep you focused as you cant just sit there and "switch off" like you can on a trainer, I'd say this works your core muscles better than a trainer does. The big lus for me is how easy they make interval training.
Cons: They can be hard to get used to, you need somewhere to hold on or support yourself if you are using spds, you cant get out of the saddle and really push it hard.
Pros: They provide a really tough workout and keep you focused as you cant just sit there and "switch off" like you can on a trainer, I'd say this works your core muscles better than a trainer does. The big lus for me is how easy they make interval training.
I got a turbo last year to use during the winter and even with the TV on it gets a bit dull. The big advantage for me was that with the right set of rollers you can use TrainerRoad for your winter training.
I've just bought a set of Elite Parabolic rollers and did my first proper session on them today.
Half an hour on the rollers today in the garage and there was a big puddle of sweat on the floor and I certainly knew I'd done a workout! The rollers seem more full on but more enjoyable as you can't just switch off when you're riding them as you have to concentrate.
The rollers took a little getting used to, my first couple of quick spins on them were done in the hallway so I could lean on a wall either side when it went wrong but after a couple of 10 minute rides it became a whole lot easier
I've just bought a set of Elite Parabolic rollers and did my first proper session on them today.
Half an hour on the rollers today in the garage and there was a big puddle of sweat on the floor and I certainly knew I'd done a workout! The rollers seem more full on but more enjoyable as you can't just switch off when you're riding them as you have to concentrate.
The rollers took a little getting used to, my first couple of quick spins on them were done in the hallway so I could lean on a wall either side when it went wrong but after a couple of 10 minute rides it became a whole lot easier
I'm no expert with training so I just Googled it and found this:
http://www.rochellegilmore.com/wp-content/uploads/...
I also watched a video on Youtube about riding rollers and followed the advice from there for a training session. The one I ended up with and rode today was,
5 Minute warm-up
1 Minute at 85-95rpm in each gear, big ring at the front and starting in the big on the cassette then a minute in each gear down the cassette with the same cadence
3 Minute recovery
2 Minute fast spin 100rpm+
3 minute recovery
2 Minute fast spin 100rpm+
5 Minute cool down
It's only 30 minutes but it was pretty hard work as you can't really ease off and can't freewheel at all!
http://www.rochellegilmore.com/wp-content/uploads/...
I also watched a video on Youtube about riding rollers and followed the advice from there for a training session. The one I ended up with and rode today was,
5 Minute warm-up
1 Minute at 85-95rpm in each gear, big ring at the front and starting in the big on the cassette then a minute in each gear down the cassette with the same cadence
3 Minute recovery
2 Minute fast spin 100rpm+
3 minute recovery
2 Minute fast spin 100rpm+
5 Minute cool down
It's only 30 minutes but it was pretty hard work as you can't really ease off and can't freewheel at all!
I would like to try rollers but current use a turbo, I use it in conjunction with a heart rate monitor, I got diagnosed with high blood pressure 6 years ago, always been quite fit running 10kms in 48min, riding at least twice a week, running once etc. Blood pressure never altered, 3 weeks working heart rate zone and intervals on the turbo dropped blood pressure to fit and healthy and resting heart rate to 50bpm so I think the two in combination work really well.
General sessions include :
Intervals
5 minute warm up to zone 2, then 30 sec sprints hard as I can possibly manage then 5mins rest not letting go below zone 2 then sprint again and repeat until physically unable to hold the sprint for 30 sec, sprint typicall sees 2 or 3 bomb below max at held cadence of 145rpm in top gear i.e 50mph, 10 min warm warm down not below zone 1.
Zone 2 for endurance
5 min warm up 1.5 hrs at zone 2, 10 min warm down zone 1.
Strength
5 min warm up 50mins zone 3, 10min zone 1 warm down.
Rest ride
1 hour zone 1
I do 1x rest ride, 1 x intervals & 1 x zone 3 a week and 2 or 3 zone 2.
Ok I'm not very fit, 36 year old desk job, but I am amazed at the measurable effect on my blood pressure only adding a heart rate monitor and specific training rather than 'I'll do half and hour hard on the turbo' plus normal riding.
General sessions include :
Intervals
5 minute warm up to zone 2, then 30 sec sprints hard as I can possibly manage then 5mins rest not letting go below zone 2 then sprint again and repeat until physically unable to hold the sprint for 30 sec, sprint typicall sees 2 or 3 bomb below max at held cadence of 145rpm in top gear i.e 50mph, 10 min warm warm down not below zone 1.
Zone 2 for endurance
5 min warm up 1.5 hrs at zone 2, 10 min warm down zone 1.
Strength
5 min warm up 50mins zone 3, 10min zone 1 warm down.
Rest ride
1 hour zone 1
I do 1x rest ride, 1 x intervals & 1 x zone 3 a week and 2 or 3 zone 2.
Ok I'm not very fit, 36 year old desk job, but I am amazed at the measurable effect on my blood pressure only adding a heart rate monitor and specific training rather than 'I'll do half and hour hard on the turbo' plus normal riding.
Flood said:
Would you be able to watch telly while on rollers, or is too much concentration required?
Bruno Senna seems to manage ok...http://youtu.be/ZIcrppPDqFI
I thought this one was pretty good as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgSv8B6UiUY
I'm not going to be trying that though, I've heard that broken bones really hurt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgSv8B6UiUY
I'm not going to be trying that though, I've heard that broken bones really hurt
its pretty easy to watch a laptop on the rollers and its good if you just want a bimble rather than a full on training session as you can allow your concentration to lapse just a little. I find it passes the time quite quickly. If I am watching a clock or cadence for some training benefit, then i just have the radio on.
Miguel Alvarez said:
I bought my brothers old rollers off him. I ended up stacking it into the door frame. Lots of cursing later from me and laughing from the missus I forced myself back onto them.
Right now they're at the back of a cupboard under a load of boxes.
Do you fall off cycling outside?Right now they're at the back of a cupboard under a load of boxes.
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