Posted by Les Faber in Not everyone lives in a climate that is conducive to cycling year-round. Enter Ottawa, Canada (or any other part of the Northern Hemisphere). This is where I live (sigh). In other words, I have made my bed, and it is now time to sleep in it.
Thank goodness for the great invention of Spinning. It’s not an Olympic sport (and never will be). In fact, at first glance it is kinda wonky. Picture a sterile room filled with stationary bicycles (good ones) – in some sort of semi-circle pointed towards the front of the class that has a bike on a podium for “the Instructor”.
Ah, the “Instructor”…. usually female. Always in great shape (I say that from the perspective of pure envy as these people are in great physical condition) and able to cajole one into working harder than it was ever thought possible.
Helen & I try and Spin 4-5 times a week. This may seem extreme to some. But it really isn’t to us. We have actually come to plan our days around Spin Class and trying to get into the ones with our favorite instructors at the helm.
Spinning allows us to ensure that we are in tip top form year round. There’s a nasty little secret in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s called Spring. The first few weeks of cycling are usually pretty painful as one has not been on a bike for upwards of 6 months. Not when you Spin!
Imagine a bike that doesn’t fall over….. no helmet…. not getting cut off – and 50 minutes of the best cardio vascular workout you’ll ever get.
Get Spinning!
Good for you! My heart aches that you two can’t cycle all year ’round!
I fell in love with spinning last winter. I was in great shape when the mountain bike season came around.
Check out my mountain bike site
http://www.mtbiking.ca
Keep it up! You will have such a good base fitness by the time the weather will be good to ride outside again.
I hate indoor biking… riding my bike on a trainer is so boring! right now I try doing running(5 times/week) and as I have no choice, riding my bike on a trainer(5 times / week too)
Do you have some tips to get these indoor training less boring?
@ Everyone: I am going 4-5 days per week at the moment. It’s great as my alternatives are minimal with the snow we have here.
Philippe – the only way I don’t get bored is by going to a Spin class where there is an instructor teaching skills and keeping me and the class motivated.
Does any one have any advice for me? I’m trying to get motivated to get on my trainer and pedal at home. I’m finding it hard to find a spinning class that is “geared” to cyclists. I find most of them are for fitness people who like step classes, I want one for cyclists. How do I go about finding one?
If any one is interested in finding out about mountain biking in Canada and where to find the trails. Check out my website at http://www.mtbiking.ca
@mtbiker: I am not sure where you live. We are in Ottawa and SPIN at Goodlife. You are right, some of the instructors are not cyclists.
The upside is that they are all well-trained and sufficiently motivated.
Give it a shot!