Fifty Plus (50+) - Back to the gym

So I went to the Y for the first time in several months, because it's getting dark too early to ride long enough outdoors. I spent 45 minutes on the trainer, and death, I thought, was imminent. The trainer is deadly boring, as usual, but I figured that since three hours on the bike outdoors is only moderately challenging, I could do 45 minutes at a middling difficulty (9 of 20) with no trouble on the stationary bike. Man, was I wrong.

Maybe it's because you get no cooling indoors. I was drenched when I finished, and the pathetic little fan on the bike is useless. Maybe it's becuase I've got no hills outdoors. What do you think? Is it really that much harder on a trainer?

So I went to the Y for the first time in several months, because it's getting dark too early to ride long enough outdoors. I spent 45 minutes on the trainer, and death, I thought, was imminent. The trainer is deadly boring, as usual, but I figured that since three hours on the bike outdoors is only moderately challenging, I could do 45 minutes at a middling difficulty (9 of 20) with no trouble on the stationary bike. Man, was I wrong.

Maybe it's because you get no cooling indoors. I was drenched when I finished, and the pathetic little fan on the bike is useless. Maybe it's becuase I've got no hills outdoors. What do you think? Is it really that much harder on a trainer?

You are using some different muscles in different ways! Your body will adjust soon.

I can ride a bike for a good few hours without a break but When I go to the gym- I do varied exercise. In a 60 minute slot- I do 10 minutes each on the recumbent to get warm then the treadmill- the normal bike- Stepping machine- Rowing machine- The cross trainer and That is it. 10 minutes each machine and run between machines to just get the breather. Each machine- Other than the recumbent- is taken at a high level- of hills and severity-(Rower is awkward as if I have hills on that- I would be in trouble) I also do not go in at High level on my first visit. It takes about 10 visits to get to the max that I can push, and when I get to that- I know I am fit.

Best investment though for me has been a good set of lights for the bike. Have them set up on the old bike and can get out twice a week for 20 mile rides in the dark. Has saved me a fortune on Gym fees.

I also find that a variety of exercises will get me fitter quicker than staying on one machine only. And it is not as boring.

I have one of my bikes set up on a trainer for this time of year. What I find is that you do sweat a lot. I do use a fan at times to give myself a breeze. I also find an hour on the trainer seems harder than on the road. My theory is that you get no breaks on the trainer, no coasting.

So I went to the Y for the first time in several months, because it's getting dark too early to ride long enough outdoors. I spent 45 minutes on the trainer, and death, I thought, was imminent. The trainer is deadly boring, as usual, but I figured that since three hours on the bike outdoors is only moderately challenging, I could do 45 minutes at a middling difficulty (9 of 20) with no trouble on the stationary bike. Man, was I wrong.

Maybe it's because you get no cooling indoors. I was drenched when I finished, and the pathetic little fan on the bike is useless. Maybe it's because I've got no hills outdoors. What do you think? Is it really that much harder on a trainer?

I did study this issue and confirmed it with HRM readings. A big fan makes a difference of 5-10%. A pace of 16.5 MPH average on a Cycle-Ops FL2 is about the same HR as 16.5 MPH against a very light wind on an undulating almost flat unpaved trail.
I get much lower HR on Recumbent Trainer (Schwinn at same speed)