|   A question about spinning (a little long)... | DeRanger
Dec 31, 2001 11:40 AM | | Some people really like cruises. I am not one of them, and truth be told I tend to watch these people with concern out of the corner of my eye. Totally not my style of travel - it's like being locked in a hotel with a few hours off each day to get abused by the locals in the ports o' call.
Well, you can imagine my excitement when I found out that our Hanukkah present from my in-laws was a five-day cruise to Mexico. While I am looking forward to visiting Avalon on Santa Catalina Island (despite working at USC's marine lab at Big Fisherman's Cove for six months, I never once took the shoreboat to Avalon), I could pass on ever seeing Ensenada again - used to surf down there many years ago, and even then it was already overdeveloped. With such common shipboard activities as drinking too much and eating too much looming on the horizon, I'm going to be desperate for some kind of physical activity more strenuous than pulling a slot machine lever or falling off a bar stool.
So, here's my dilemma - haven't been riding much the past couple of weeks - a combination of foul weather and lots of time spent with family and friends. I really am not looking forward to not riding for the whole week. There is a gym on board the cruise ship, and I'm hoping there will be some spinning machines.
So, my question to all you gym riders - how do I get the most out of using these things? It's been years since I was on a stationary bike of any kind.
Any help would be appreciated.
DeR |
| observe hamster, copy..... | mtbmon
Dec 31, 2001 11:51 AM | | I live in Ohio so I spend more than a fair amount of time on a trainer and it sucks but it beats not riding. Anyhow, work on cadence and intervals to get the most outta your workout. You cant really do endurance due to the sheer bordedom factor so figure you have about half an hour to an hour to do your thing. Doing High cadence spinning (focus on proper pedal techniques) with interval "jumps" thrown in should get you what ya need. Concentrate on perceived exertion (to quote Troy Jacobsen). Try to go at approx. 75-85% max effort during spin with 100% at the intervals. Take a brief soft pedal every few mintues to bring the heart rate down before running it right up again. Hope this helps ya and have a great cruise. Id trade your spot there for my snow here! |
| By copying the hamster... | Twilight Error®
Dec 31, 2001 12:29 PM | | do you mean stumbling every few minutes to get thrown about by the wheel? Because if you do, I think I could get used to that....
I despise any sort of indoor riding, but thats only because I've never used rollers. |
| re: A question about spinning (a little long)... | Bonee
Dec 31, 2001 11:56 AM | | I hear ya on the cruises. I took my honeymoon with my wife to Jamaica, one the the all inclusive Sandels resorts. Pretty much if you leave the resort you are risking your life. So you are sort of stuck on this less than one square mile resort for 7 days. May as well be on a ship on the ocean. Last time I do one of those trips. The drinks were good though.
As far as spinning goes, I've taken a few of the classes on rainy days at the local YMCA. They actually do give you a pretty decent workout, even if it isn't too much fun. Classes are 45-60 minutes. My only advice is to not follow all of the direction of the class instructors. They have portions that are suppose to simulate hills. SO they have you crank up the tension really high and you spin at maybe 50 rpm's tops.
I ignore these parts. I crank up the tension just to the point where I feel like I can stay at 80-90 rpm's and it is slightly hard to do so, but the spin still stays smooth.
If they don't have spin classes and jsut have stationary bikes or something, the best I can say is hop on one, set it at about 70%-80% maximum effort for 30-40 minutes, bare with the boredom and just be happy that you won't gain as much weight as everyone else.
Have a drink for me! |
| Now imagine taking that same trip... | DeRanger
Dec 31, 2001 12:25 PM | | ...with your in-laws and your neices and nephew... <|:-P
Thanks for the advice, and I'll be hoisting a pina colada in your honor in a few hours!
DeR |
| re: A question about spinning (a little long)... | John
Dec 31, 2001 12:35 PM | | You might inquire to find out if there are spin bikes on the ship. If so bring your shoes, pedals and seat with you. And some wrenches. |
| what i do... | Nonny
Dec 31, 2001 4:41 PM | | ...i run fer about 3mi on the treadmills, then do a few sets of squats/lunges and other leg-lifting exercises, THEN the 45min spin class. Sometimes da legs are a lil tired afterwards. i think i was drug along on a few too many death marches this past year... them 45min classes just aren't enuff... iffun only i could take 2 of 'em back to back, or just one 2hr class? 45min is too short onna bike.
currently taking all the parts off my bike to have the frame repainted--3 or 4 week turnaround. gonna be stuck taking spin classes fer a while. rah. i'd rather be outside riding w/ 12F temps and snow.
d |
| oops | deanna
Dec 31, 2001 4:43 PM | | nonny didn't post that... fergetted to log him out first. he didn't go on as many death marches as me.
;-P
d |
| Apparently the Ebonics classes are paying off. (nm) | Pete.
Jan 1, 2002 7:22 PM | | . |
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