Typically spring is the time of year when you can start getting out on the roads, though in the Northwest, the weather can be rather schizophrenic. If you can’t afford to travel to warm sunny places to train on the bike year round, here are a couple of other options:
Bike trainers. Bike trainers are an investment but can be well worth it. Scan the local craigslist ads or eBay for used options. New options range in price from $70 to well over $300. Good places to shop for trainers are: www.Amazon.com, www.bikeisland.com, www.REI.com, and also the brand-specific websites such as www.kurtkinetic.com or www.cyclops.com. To go along with your bike trainer look into Spinerval DVDs. Indoor trainer rides can get rather boring. Many cyclists refer to trainer riding with a similar dread that runners use to express treadmill running. However, you don’t have to dread a trainer ride. Spinervals are a set of DVDs that take you through various workouts. Liken it to your own person spin class. That leads me to…
Spin class. Spin classes are a great workout. Classes are typically 45-90 minutes long, depending on where you go for classes. One great thing about spin classes is that the workout is structured for you. No need to worry about shifting gears for a “climb” the instructor will tell you when to up your resistance or up your cadence for a sprint series. Sometimes not having to think about the workout and just being able to complete it, takes the pressure off and you can enjoy sweating it out with fellow spinners.
If you’re looking for a cycle studio with a fantastic instructor, look no further than Soul Culture Cycling on NE Sandy website. Alex Laws, owner and instructor, at Soul Culture is amazing. He’ll lead you through a sweat inducing workout complete with tips on upper body form, pedal stroke and mental persistence. He is holding a beginner class tomorrow (Monday, March 29th @ 6pm); regular classes are held on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Check it out, you won’t be sorry!
Don’t let the weather fool you; you can still stay in cycling shape even when you can’t get out on the road.
Comments
I will definitely check out Alex, once I get over my fear of spin class.
Spin class has to be one of the best workouts of all time. Love it.
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