Turbo Trainers

[wheezing donkey]

emmi maybe check out

http://www.abcc.co.uk/Articles/turbotrn1.html

i'm recovering an ankle sprain - I haven't got a bike that will go on a turbo trainer but i recently went to a spinning class - i know you don't have time to do that regularly but if you can get to one or two they might give you some practical ideas.

that said - i've only been to one spinning class - as a non-proper cyclist (commute about 7 miles a day - no computer etc) i was slightly confused.

The session i went to - i was more limited by leg pain (lactate build up?) than aerobic capability (so although i was panting and sweating it wasn't the limiting factor).

This session seemed to do a lot of standing up in high gear (where i couldn't pedal very fast). This goes against the recommendations in this thread for high cadence. If I go to spinning again should I try do lower resistance higher cadence (the resistance setting in these things is up to the individual - allowing for mixed ability class).

If i do the high resistance/low cadence will i get massive thighs??

I'm no expert, but just applying logic:- If you are using the bike / turbo trainer to recover from an ankle sprain ( i.e. keeping your full weight off the injury ), then if the resistance is so great that you have to stand on the pedals, you are now putting all your weight on the injury - you might as well be out running!?

[ratfink]

hi donkey!

you're right - i've been road running a while now (and did my first off road run on sunday - with very slow descending/virtually walking down). Especially earlier (though not so bad now) the impact of running on the road made my ankle a bit sore.

so not only is there much less impact - there are also less lateral stresses - involved in biking (even when standing in the pedals) than in running (even on the road).

anyhoo - this spinning class - was something new/fun to try, that i could put full physical effort into, without the care and attention i have to expend when running at the moment.

also for a bit of variety generally (maybe even beyond recovery) - to complement running training...

....do you think it would be more useful to just run?

And to anyone else...

If I go to spinning again should I try do lower resistance higher cadence (the resistance setting in these things is up to the individual - allowing for mixed ability class).

If i do the high resistance/low cadence will i get massive thighs??

[wheezing donkey]

Ratfink, everything that I have read over the past 20 or so years - from coaches, physios & people who have successfully used cycling as cross-training for fell-running - points to the need for runners to 'spin' on a bike.
For the past 5 Tuesdays, I have been participating in Mintcake MTB club's Lane Quest events ( Like trailquest but on black-top ) using my cyclo-cross bike. I find that I make best progress by spinning in a lowish gear, rather than attempting to emulate the serious cyclist churning a big gear. I'm only finishing mid-way down the 'Open Men's League' but keep reminding myself that I'm a runner using these events for cross-training, not a serious cyclists looking to become a cycling champion. It has certainly helped my uphill 'jog'.

[Tea]

I make best progress by spinning in a lowish gear rather than attempting to emulate the serious cyclist churning a big gear

Someone, (Eddy Merckx maybe?), when asked if it was better to spin a low gear or push a big gear, said that the trick was to spin a big gear...

[moo]

anyone got any other recommendations as to which turbo trainer they use or have one to sell??? (still waiting for andy to get back to me...)

Many thanks

[southernsoftie]

Is anyone else disappointed that this thread isn't about trainers that make you go faster?

[(notsomuchofa)Fellrunner]

I got one of these a few years ago -I think Dominion also has one- & it's been pretty good;

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=A1097

[ratfink]

Ratfink, everything that I have read over the past 20 or so years - from coaches, physios & people who have successfully used cycling as cross-training for fell-running - points to the need for runners to 'spin' on a bike.

hey cheers donkey!

last spinning class i reduced resistance and upped the cadence - getting more out of breath (and more sweaty) and less limited by leg pain

am also rethinking my whole consideration of spinning being low risk - after managing to fall of a static exercise bike! i briefly forgot there was no freewheel, and the momentum of the flywheel was such that might feet stayed where they were and the pedals flew out from underthem (despite spds)! cue whole class turning round to look at me in a heap on the floor, and amazing bruise on thigh!

i managed a long off road run today with minimal ankle twinges - do you think there is still benefit from spinning (to mix things up a bit)? or would running benefit from more running.

[moo]

thanks for all advice! Ended up buying a cycelops magneto.. ..seems a great piece of kit. Will update after I ve tried it a bit...

[Tea]

The best thing about them is they make quite good workstands.