vinuneuro

It's quite cold in the Midwest so I've been riding on the stationary bike in the gym. Over the summer I was cycling casually and infrequently, and have only gotten more serious about goals recently.

How does stationary bike mileage compare to road miles? I've been doing intervals and covering 10 miles in around 30-33min. 3-5 min of warmup and around 5min of cooldown. The intervals are at certain 'levels' in the bike for 2min (90-92 rpm) and then about 1min of rest (86-89 rpm). During the intervals I've seen as high as 280W and in the rest period 135-150W. I'm not sure how accurate the power meter is in these stationary bikes, or if there's even one and it's just a calculated output.

I'm just wondering how this might translate to if I were riding outside because I'm absolutely wiped at the end of this 10-11 miles doing this intensity.

DrIsotope

Without the resistance of wind, rider weight, bike weight, physical drag, etc., I can ride at the very least 50% faster for 50% longer on the trainer than I can on the road-- and that's with the trainer's resistance at maximum. Dial the resistance down and I can maintain 30-33mph @ 100rpm for hours right in the middle of my Z3.

So I don't worry about the miles covered on the trainer, and you shouldn't either. Work your zones, spend your time, try not to go nuts pedaling to nowhere.

JanMM

Keep in mind that a mile (or kilometer) is a unit of linear distance measurement. How far did the bike travel while on the trainer? Zip, generally.
Haven't used my primitive minoura mag turbo for several years but when I did I only considered time and maybe cadence, gearing, heart rate, etc.

avidone1

[h=2]Stationary bike mileage[/h]Love the title

exmechanic89

I use the recumbent stationary bikes at my gym pretty much daily in the winter, in either 30, 45, or 60 minute workouts. I think they work pretty well from a fitness POV. I set the reistance pretty high and definitely feel the burn while doing the 'rides', and I can tell I ride my actual bike stronger because of it.

I've noticed a lot of riders bash stationary bikes, but if used right, they can be a killer a workout, imo. I think they get a bad rep from all the users that waste time with low cadence and little to no resistance. Which - just like walking on the treadmill - accomplishes absolutely nothing.

kevindsingleton 

I "enjoyed" my first spin class, last night. I've been riding the stationary bikes at the Y for a few months, on a regular basis, and thought I was in pretty good condition. I have to admit, I was impressed with the workout. I wasn't even standing and mashing, and I was pretty wiped after thirty minutes of high-cadence spinning and intervals. The ladies in that darkened room were absolutely killing it! If it wasn't for the overpowering stench of perfume and women's anti-perspirant, and the horrible, horrible music, I might even go back. I sure as heck won't take a front row bike, next time! I don't know how to translate that into miles, but it certainly wasn't a waste of time, as far as quad-burning workouts go.

exmechanic89

I just got back from an hour of high resistance, 95rpm cadence on one of my gyms aforementioned recumbent bikes. Great workout, I'm not toast but I definitely feel pumped.

I do my workouts solo, though spin classes can be good for people that like a group atmosphere. Like a lot workouts at the gym, you can goldbrick it like most people do, or really hit it hard and accomplish something. All up to the individual.

kevindsingleton 

Our YMCA uses Expresso stationary bikes in the gym, and they store your data so you can ride against yourself on the courses. It's very motivating to get passed by your own "ghost", from last weeks' ride!

JanMM

I do sometimes use the recumbent bike machines at our YMCA and find them a reasonable foul weather substitute for a recumbent bicycle. The cranks are lower than what I am used to but for my stoker the position is very similar to what it is in the rear of our 'bent tandem.

Leebo

Mileage? Zero. Exercise sure, just not my cup o tea. Here In New England, we like studded fat bike tires, wool and fleece. And a big bowl of HTFU.

fietsbob

As its a Gym owned stationary bike You aint gonna put a Bike computer on it and have a sensor on the back wheel are you ?

Make up a number that makes you feel good. how about Forty Two?

Machka 

I find that riding the stationary bike, spin bike or my bicycle on the trainer is easier than riding outside.

Inside, you're in a climate controlled environment and you don't really have to engage your upper body much at all.

Outside, you're dealing with weather, potholes, traffic, winds from all directions, hills, rough road surfaces, etc. etc.



That said, I'd recommend attending a spin class (those can be a really good workout) or using a bicycle on a trainer on days when you can't ride outside. They do help.

exmechanic89

^This is all true. One positive thing I find different on a stationary bike though is that I tend to keep a true cadence much more, as there are no downhills to coast, or flats to get lazy on. Also a gym quality stationary bike can be set to be easy or brutally hard, and everything in between - it definitely doesnt have to be easier. There are also different programs to simulate hills and so forth. Personally I really like having the option of a stationary bike, riding outdoors every day just isnt possible for me.

caloso

Time and effort (wattage if it's available; HR or RPE if it's not)

ltxi

DA was, still is, my hero!

I've had a LifeFitness commercial grade stationary recumbent in my basement gym for about/pushing 10 years. Never thought equating my workout on it to bike mileage. Have long considered it the standard to compare bike riding workout to, tho.

VNA

Mileage or speed are irrelevant on any kind of stationary bikes because it is all about time and efforts--so get a heart rate monitor or/and a power meter with a lot of water and some kind of protection for your frame!

I personally prefer rollers the feel is the closest to the road and you can work balance/handling and pedaling round! You can add friction with a fan or a magnet!

Jackmen

Zwift has become the answer for me. I previously had my bike on a dumb trainer and it was so boring, I just couldn't do it very long. I now Have a new smart tacx Vortex trainer that connect with my PC wirelessly and allows me to ride and compete with others up and down hills and also to ride in a paceline and draft others. It is a remarkable difference, and the resistance changes with the terrain. The difficulty is very similar to riding outside. I have done several rides up to 30 miles and about 90 minutes. I find that the competition allows me to get my heart rate up to 145-160 quite consistently and keep it there.

What I have noticed is that it has allowed me to do this 3-4 times a week and get my summer conditioning back and it has allowed me to keep weight down which is always a problem in the winter for me. If you are serious about really using your bike a trainer zwift makes it actually enjoyable.