Run Run Away » running training » Using an Excercise bike for running training?
Using an Excercise bike for running training?
Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Can anyone recommend a excercise bike to train on? I know it’s not the : same as running but it can help with cardiovascular exercise when the : weather is bad. Are the Aerodyne bikes the best bet. Do they have a : version with a heart monitor? Thanks for any advice. : – Dan (Digital Man) If you want to actually train for biking as well, I would recommend an inexpensive road bike with a training stand. Most stationary bikes don’t really allow you to get a good biking form. [...] If you’re primarily a cyclist, throw a road bike on a stand for indoor training. If not, I believe there are a lot of exercise bikes that will meet your needs.
The attributions on this thread are getting complicated…. <g I’d second both Steve’s (?) and Tom’s comments. Bike training, whether on a stand or on the road doesn’t really benefit your running except peripherally. Using a trainer during the winter will maintain cardio-vascular fitness, but not at a level that actual running will. If you can spring the cash, I’d suggest looking into joining a health club that has machines and other facilities. The biggest "problem" I’ve always had with wind trainers is boredom. This year we joined a health club and it’s helped a lot, cause there are other people around, things going on, etc. I could never maintain the biking over the winter before because I hated the wind trainer so much. I’ve gotten into a routine of cross-training that alternates days of "real" running outside with an inside workout consisting of 30 minutes of hard "hills" on the Life Cycle, followed by one mile of easy/hard intervals around the indoor track, and then a 1,000 yd swim workout. This consistency is beginning to help already. I’m much further along toward my spring goals for biathlons/triathlons than I’ve ever been. And there’s also the element of "I’m paying for the facility – I’d d*mn well better use it." We’ve worked it into our after-work routine and it has added a nice element to our lifestyle. Mike Tennent WebRunner Running Page — Southeast USA Race Calendar 200+ listings. Advertise your race. FTP Race Apps, FAQ http://www.webrunner.com/webrun/running/running.html
Response:
: Can anyone recommend a excercise bike to train on? I know it’s not the : same as running but it can help with cardiovascular exercise when the : weather is bad. Are the Aerodyne bikes the best bet. Do they have a : version with a heart monitor? Thanks for any advice. : – Dan (Digital Man) If you want to actually train for biking as well, I would recommend an inexpensive road bike with a training stand. Most stationary bikes don’t really allow you to get a good biking form. [...]
If you’re primarily a cyclist, throw a road bike on a stand for indoor training. If not, I believe there are a lot of exercise bikes that will meet your needs. If the Aerodyne is the Schwinn with the big fan as a front wheel and the moving levers to work your arms, it may be fine for general fitness but not be the best for run training. Look for a bike that’s sturdy, has a good-sized flywheel, allows you to set effort levels, and measures your cadence. If you want to simulate running intervals, look for one that you can stand and pedal comfortably. And don’t use the pedal clips, if you want to simulate a running motion. — Tom Carminati U S WEST Technologies
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Tunturi Executive Ergometer, Monarch, or any excercise bike you can pick up in the Thrifties of your local paper will serve you well. The main thing is using it. More and more runners are using excercise bikes to make up aerobic workout time and decrease the road running. Many have increased their times on the roads by doing quality running workouts and then spending aerobic hours on their excercise bikes. Also it has saved them from overuse injuries. Can anyone recommend a excercise bike to train on? I know it’s not the same as running but it can help with cardiovascular exercise when the weather is bad. Are the Aerodyne bikes the best bet. Do they have a version with a heart monitor? Thanks for any advice. – Dan (Digital Man)
– In health and on the run, Ozzie Gontang Maintainer-rec.running FAQ Director, San Diego Marathon Clinic, est. 1975
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Do the stands for road bikes distort the road bike frame after a lot of use? I’ve had to do a lot of training this way in the last year and a half, but I hope I didn’t mess up my wonderful road bike in the process (I assumed after I could bike in the real world again, I’d just be able to just pop the bike off the stand and back on the road.) IS MY BIKE OK?????? i’m workin’ way too hard. Megan
Response:
: Do the stands for road bikes distort the road bike frame after a : lot of use? I’ve had to do a lot of training this way in the last : year and a half, but I hope I didn’t mess up my wonderful road bike : in the process (I assumed after I could bike in the real world again, : I’d just be able to just pop the bike off the stand and back on the : road.) : IS MY BIKE OK?????? : i’m workin’ way too hard. : Megan They wear the rear tire out much faster, I haven’t noticed any frame bending on mine. Overall, it is probably much easier on the bike than the beating it takes on the road. If you have bent anything, it will be pretty apparent when you hit the road. Make sure your brakes still work.
Response:
: Can anyone recommend a excercise bike to train on? I know it’s not the : same as running but it can help with cardiovascular exercise when the : weather is bad. Are the Aerodyne bikes the best bet. Do they have a : version with a heart monitor? Thanks for any advice. : – Dan (Digital Man) If you want to actually train for biking as well, I would recommend an inexpensive road bike with a training stand. Most stationary bikes don’t really allow you to get a good biking form. A rear mounted speedometer with cadence is essential, as cadence may be the main goal for indoor training. A heart rate monitor is a good idea, I found that I really loafed on a bike as compared to running. How often, and how hard you ride are important considerations for the quality of bike you use. I have a friend that completely wore out an inexpensive Panasonic in less than a year. I have been using an aluminum Cannondale with Shimino 105 for 5 or six years after having used it on the road for about 1100 miles.
Response:
Can anyone recommend a excercise bike to train on? I know it’s not the same as running but it can help with cardiovascular exercise when the weather is bad. Are the Aerodyne bikes the best bet. Do they have a version with a heart monitor? Thanks for any advice. – Dan (Digital Man)