Southern California - Do you use a trainer or stationary bike as part of your regular training?

Hello All: I realize that many of you would never consider riding a stationary bike in a health club but for those of us time-challenged people with 4 kids its an option I use more than I would like (usually at night after I get the kids to sleep).

Have any of you seen or used the Expresso fitness bikes that feature power meters and 20 or so different routes on a computer screen with a pacer, heart rate monitor, etc. The health clubs I use in Torrance recently installed them and I found them to be a pretty decent workout and a lot more motivational than riding the typical stationary exercise bike or my fluid trainer on my back porch -- which is just incredibly boring.

So does anyone else here use a stationary bike or road bike on a fluid/magnetic trainer -- or rollers -- as a regular part of their training/riding? The impression I get from reading a lot of the posts on this forum is probably not, but I was curious if I am just the exception?

I do spin around three times a week, and ride once if I'm lucky. Of course, I suck.

I used to when the conditions were not good to ride; however I just run instead. I get bored working out indoors, be it a treadmill or trainer.

Jschen does (fluid trainer). Quite a few go to spin classes, so I guess that counts as stationary bikes.


As for me, if you have seen some of my other posts, you'll correctly id me as a "buy a lot of stuff to train me to ride faster, but haven't done much" kind of guy.

I have a roller first, and find that I just cheat a lot of the times by leaning against a wall (since my balancing skill sucks). That took a lot of the "training" out of riding rollers. I can ride for about an hour, but it doesn't do much.

Then I got a mag trainer, but I find I get bored with it after 15-30 mins. I'm getting a training dvd video now (dvd video of a course where you're supposed to "ride through"), and hopefully it will give me more motivation to ride longer on it with varying intensities. That's based on my previous exp in the gym where regardless of how bored I get, I'll still try to complete a preset program on a stationary bike.


The main reason (excuse) I got the indoor stuff is because I normally leave work pretty late, and am paranoid of night time road riding. That reminds me, it's time for me to go home now. :)

I do my 1 hour easy/base rides in spin classes. I started doing this when I couldn't find a flat 15-20 mile ride on the westside that doesn't go through city streets with all the stoplights. The spin classes turned out to be great for doing work which requires keeping the heart rate in specified zones as long as you ignore the instructor and do your own thing. Also, the music and bonus scenery in the classes keep it relatively tolerable.

The coach who set me up with my current program highly recommended trainers / spin classes for the ability to manage the heart rate.

I wouldn't do a long or hard ride on a trainer. There are plenty of hills around here for intense rides. Plus while the trainers are good for cardo work, they aren't great at climbing work.

I have a fluid trainer to use on HOT days or when I don't have time to get outside. My wife and I use Spinervals tapes/DVD's for workouts.

Sheldon

Hell no, getting out of the house is the reason I live in California and ride a bicycle. I use my magnet trainer to fit my bike and then it goes back in the closet.

"Hell no, getting out of the house is the reason I live in California and ride a bicycle. I use my magnet trainer to fit my bike and then it goes back in the closet."



I hear you on that one -- there are so many days I'm in my office in downtown LA and I'm looking out at the great weather and just wishing I could get out and ride but by the time I get home usually about 6:30PM and I eat and spend time with the kids and get them to sleep then the day is just shot. And I really don't trust drivers around here for nighttime rides -- I'm too afraid I'll either be hit or not notice a pothole or something and cause myself to lose control, etc.

Soooo I ride the stationary bike at the health club during the week -- do wish they offered spin classes -- that sounds like a nice alternative also but the club I belong to doesn't offer them.

Occasionally I ride in the morning but its usually too much of a rush to get in a decent ride and still make my commute to downtown.

Summer- Thursday at 7 P.M. Staionary training with Sandra Kolb at Bicycle John's in Burbank
Great 60 min. workout with one of Socals top lady racers. Bicycle specific training.
Winter- Mon -Wed staionary training in garage with Spinervals etc. plus Thursday at Bicycle John's

Summer- Thursday at 7 P.M. Staionary training with Sandra Kolb at Bicycle John's in Burbank
Great 60 min. workout with one of Socals top lady racers. Bicycle specific training.
Winter- Mon -Wed staionary training in garage with Spinervals etc. plus Thursday at Bicycle John's

I have gotta try that...I know she is great...