Spinnervals Gearing...I find them tough
 

is anyone here in the same boat... I find doing the prescribed gearing to be tough while keeping my HR in the proper zones

is this common ? or am I just out of shape ?

One possibility is that you have figured your zones wrong. Certainly wouldn't be the first time it's happened.

I do find myself using slightly different gearing than many people might, in real riding and spinervals. Usually, I just go for what mimics my actual riding style, unless I'm trying to improve a specific weakness. I'm a spinner myself (105-110 rpm), so I usually use a smaller gear. If the workout is for stomping up short climbs or a TT-type effort, a bigger gear may be in order. It really depends on what your goals for the workout are.

a lot of trainers have very little resistence. Mine is known to have lots. yours might too. stop wonering and borrow a power meter to find out what your doing.

I'm talking about when coach troy says 53-15 and a cadence of 90 rpm my HR will go over the 153 of my Zone 2 if i hold that Cadence so I'll usually use a smaller gear like my 53-17.

for a trainer I have a Fulid2

+1. Happens all the time for me; I just focus on the target HR and cadence and leave it at that. If you've ever seen a power curve chart for trainers, no two models are exactly alike.