Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Oh god I bought a trainer

I have adamently been agaisnt trainers, I hate them. Riding is about going places and having fun, not sweating in my front room, but I couldn't take it any more. I usually ride the local rail trail in the winter, and between that and mountain biking I was doing well. I had got my weight down to 273, then we get the worst ice storm in 20 years, on my birthday no less. I'm a teacher so school was canceled for a week, and the only excersize I got this week is sledding a few times. I tried lifting weights but that bores the hell out of me, I tried walking but the ice made it impossible. I even considered getting some studded tires but reconsidered when I realized by the time I got them the ice would be gone. After a week of sitting in the house doing nothing but eating I had gained 5 pounds, this is disturbing because I had a goal of being around 250 by June and I don't want to backpedal.

So now the ice is gone but I found out yesterday that the rail trail is covered with downed trees, one about every 25 yeards. Riding it will be impossible for some time, desperation set it and I went and bought a trainer.

I spent 45 minuts last night with Coach Troy. I had a set of rollers years ago that someone gave me, and usually after riding them for 15 minutes I was ready to blow my brains out, but with the video I'm finding riding the trainer to be at least tolerable, and maybe a tiny bit fun.

I hate the trainer too. I am afriad that it is a necessary evil to maintain progress though. Good luck on the living room rides. I usually give up in about 30 minutes and then put my winter gear on. That is what is great about commuting though. Once you are at work you are commited to get home.

Get an axe and go cut up some felled trees. That'll burn some calories.

I usually throw in a DVD to watch when I hop on my rollers, but I can't do it longer than an hour currently. I'm too much out of shape.

i hate my trainer... latly less and less.... i think its because it shows me i suck at spinning and cant coast like i do outside but as i do it more the more i accept it

I can't watch those cycling dvds. I have to have a show that makes sense when my brain is oxygen depleted. 24 works quite well. Intervals during the commercial breaks!

I have a trainer and absolutely hate it, but when the temps dip too much or the rain comes down for days on end, it what I have to do. However I just found a new gym in the area with a lap pool, so I'm going over to have a tour tomorrow. I'm seriously looking at selling the thing though.

I have a trainer and absolutely hate it, but when the temps dip too much or the rain comes down for days on end, it what I have to do. However I just found a new gym in the area with a lap pool, so I'm going over to have a tour tomorrow. I'm seriously looking at selling the thing though.

You realize how ridiculous this sounds to someone who grew up in North Dakota right? ;)

Nah, boys. The trick is to watch sports while you're on the trainer. Football, basketball, tennis, cycling, whatever. All the actions/movements on screen get you going. And make a promise to yourself that you're not gonna quit till the game is over (or at least, till halftime).

And, of course, while you're on the trainer, you can't be drinking beer and munching chips. So, hey, kill two birds with one stone. You're exercising and you're dieting!

Best of luck. By the way, I hate trainers too, but they're necessary.

You realize how ridiculous this sounds to someone who grew up in North Dakota right? ;)

Yes I do, but I grew up in South Florida where the rich women broke out the Fur Coats when it got less than 60 :p

Get an axe and go cut up some felled trees. That'll burn some calories.

Nah, that many trees and you could use a chainsaw. Probably burn the same number of calories and get more done. Felling trees is about as hard as physical labor gets, shy of breaking rocks.

I vote for cutting firewood by hand with a 6ft cross cut and a maul. Do a couple trees (18 inch lengths) then stack them at home in face cords (4 foot high and 8 feet long).

Phase 1: Exercise
Phase 2: Wait for wood to season
Phase 3: Profit
Phase 4: New Bike

You might want to ask permission first, especially if the trail is in any type of state park.

I use DVD's to ride to. Something fast moving or action. I did the Bourne Century + a few Sunday's ago. It is all a state of mind. Or, as my wife tells me a state of mindless.

I also ride on rollers, so quiting is not really an option.

You can also use your cyclometer and work on getting faster, going longer, doing sprints, doing interval training. My best is 24.7 mph for one hour. My goal is 25 mph average for an hour period.

Good luck with the trainer, and give us pointers of things you like to do, it might inspire someone else.

The one thing I like about my trainer is that wicked sweat that tells you your doing something. Also I find that mixing in a little bit of upper body weight lifting every few miles helps to break things up and allows me to put down more miles on the trainer without getting wore out then if I ride straight threw.