Trainer Workout Harder Than Road Workout

Quoted message said:

But any ideas or literature or similar experiences as to why indoor may be

harder would be appreciated?>>

Al,

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, there are no hills, either up or down in your garage.
When I ride the rollers in the hallway with a fan and heart rate monitor, I can work without the
brief rest periods I would get when riding down a hill, coasting to a stop light, etc. So it's
entirely possible you're getting a more vigorous workout indoors than you would riding for the
same time outdoors.

Norm

Hi Norm, Good point, but my road workouts are usually on an 8 mile flat, smooth road with no stops.
Al "Akensmith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

But any ideas or literature or similar experiences as to why indoor may

be

Quoted message said:

harder would be appreciated?>>

Al,

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, there are no hills, either up or

down

Quoted message said:

in your garage. When I ride the rollers in the hallway with a fan and

heart

Quoted message said:

rate monitor, I can work without the brief rest periods I would get when

riding

Quoted message said:

down a hill, coasting to a stop light, etc. So it's entirely possible

you're

Quoted message said:

getting a more vigorous workout indoors than you would riding for the same

time

Quoted message said:

outdoors.

Norm

I have used a trainer and a heart monitor both for the first time this winter and I found this:

Despite training on the trainer at roughly 75-80% of max heart rate for
1.25 hours several times a week (which would leave me feeling tired, sweaty, breathing good and like
I accomplished something) for several weeks, when I hit the street on a warmish day, I found that
my heart rate went straight to 90% (triggering my alarm) on the very first gentle hill. It made me
think the trainer, although it felt hard, was really nothing compared to a real ride (in my case).

I'm not sure how this fits with your experience, but I thought I'd share.

Al Kubeluis said:

Hi Norm, Good point, but my road workouts are usually on an 8 mile flat, smooth road with no
stops. Al "Akensmith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

But any ideas or literature or similar experiences as to why indoor may

be

Quoted message said:

harder would be appreciated?>>

Al,

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, there are no hills, either up or

down

Quoted message said:

in your garage. When I ride the rollers in the hallway with a fan and

heart

Quoted message said:

rate monitor, I can work without the brief rest periods I would get when

riding

Quoted message said:

down a hill, coasting to a stop light, etc. So it's entirely possible

you're

Quoted message said:

getting a more vigorous workout indoors than you would riding for the same

time

Quoted message said:

outdoors.

Norm

[email hidden] (Akensmith) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

But any ideas or literature or similar experiences as to why indoor may be

harder would be appreciated?>>

Al,

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, there are no hills, either up or down in your garage.
When I ride the rollers in the hallway with a fan and heart rate monitor, I can work without the
brief rest periods I would get when riding down a hill, coasting to a stop light, etc. So it's
entirely possible you're getting a more vigorous workout indoors than you would riding for the
same time outdoors.

Norm

I agree with both Norm and AL, about the potential quality and benefits of stationary training. I
have been riding rollers through the winter and find it a very beneficial workout. As Norm points
out, spending an hour on whatever sort of stationary device you choose, can be a pretty intensive
workout, with few of the natural breaks/rests that you get in an on the road riding. While commuting
has a great many benefits aside from the physical conditioning that it provides, I find that I get a
much better workout for an hour on the rollers than I do in commuting, although I also commute on a
limited basis. The challenge with stationary riding is the boredom issue and the fact that although
you do get a good workout, you cannot rely (nor would you wnat to) on station training as a
replacement for spending time on the road. I try to get out on the road at least once a week during
the winter.

Pat Mc

I recommend you get a book that has structured workouts in it, such as "The Heart Rate Monitor
Book for Cyclists" by Sally Edwards, or "Smart Cycling" by Arnie Baker. These make the time go by
fast. You can also track performance improvements easier than on the road. Regards, Greg
Dorfmeier, RANS V2

[email hidden] (Pat) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (Akensmith) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

But any ideas or literature or similar experiences as to why indoor may be

harder would be appreciated?>>

Al,

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, there are no hills, either up or down in your garage.
When I ride the rollers in the hallway with a fan and heart rate monitor, I can work without the
brief rest periods I would get when riding down a hill, coasting to a stop light, etc. So it's
entirely possible you're getting a more vigorous workout indoors than you would riding for the
same time outdoors.

Norm

I agree with both Norm and AL, about the potential quality and benefits of stationary training. I
have been riding rollers through the winter and find it a very beneficial workout. As Norm points
out, spending an hour on whatever sort of stationary device you choose, can be a pretty intensive
workout, with few of the natural breaks/rests that you get in an on the road riding. While
commuting has a great many benefits aside from the physical conditioning that it provides, I find
that I get a much better workout for an hour on the rollers than I do in commuting, although I
also commute on a limited basis. The challenge with stationary riding is the boredom issue and the
fact that although you do get a good workout, you cannot rely (nor would you wnat to) on station
training as a replacement for spending time on the road. I try to get out on the road at least
once a week during the winter.

Pat Mc

I think it might be about cooling. Even though the garage is cool, there is no breeze. You could try
trainer workouts with a big fan and without to see if it made a difference.

John Riley

"Al Kubeluis" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hi Hammerheads, Using heart rate monitor and physical stress to gauge workout difficulty, I'm
finding that indoor workouts using CycleOps Fluid trainer and Corsa are more difficult than
similar road workouts. I'm doing similar warm-ups and interval lengths and cadence. Indoor
workouts in my large, well-ventilated garage are at about 50F. Dressing appropriate to temperature
in indoor and outdoor workouts. Perhaps I'm just working harder indoors and not aware of doing so.
But any ideas or literature or similar experiences as to why indoor may be harder would be
appreciated? Thanks. ~~~al.kubeluis..md.usa.earth.sun.milkyway.virgo.universe..corsa~~~

Hi Greg, Yes, Edwards-Reed HRM book is very useful, as is HRM. Yes also regarding performance
improvements. My pedaling style has improved noticeably due to trainer and to headrest. I have
smoothened pedal stroke and body rocking motion especially under stress. The reasons that trainer
and headrest have helped is feedback. When pedaling motion is uneven, trainer rocks and head moves
against headrest.
--
~~~al.kubeluis..md.usa.earth.sun.milkyway.virgo.universe..corsa~~~

"Greg Dorfmeier" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I recommend you get a book that has structured workouts in it, such as "The Heart Rate Monitor
Book for Cyclists" by Sally Edwards, or "Smart Cycling" by Arnie Baker. These make the time go by
fast. You can also track performance improvements easier than on the road. Regards, Greg
Dorfmeier, RANS V2

[email hidden] (Pat) wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (Akensmith) wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> But any ideas or literature or similar experiences as to why indoor

may be

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

harder would be appreciated?>>

Al,

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, there are no hills, either up

or down

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

in your garage. When I ride the rollers in the hallway with a fan and

heart

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

rate monitor, I can work without the brief rest periods I would get

when riding

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

down a hill, coasting to a stop light, etc. So it's entirely possible

you're

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

getting a more vigorous workout indoors than you would riding for the

same time

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

outdoors.

Norm

I agree with both Norm and AL, about the potential quality and benefits of stationary training.
I have been riding rollers through the winter and find it a very beneficial workout. As Norm
points out, spending an hour on whatever sort of stationary device you choose, can be a pretty
intensive workout, with few of the natural breaks/rests that you get in an on the road riding.
While commuting has a great many benefits aside from the physical conditioning that it provides,
I find that I get a much better workout for an hour on the rollers than I do in commuting,
although I also commute on a limited basis. The challenge with stationary riding is the boredom
issue and the fact that although you do get a good workout, you cannot rely (nor would you wnat
to) on station training as a replacement for spending time on the road. I try to get out on the
road at least once a week during the winter.

Pat Mc

Hi Al,

I've come to the point that my main goal in riding is for personal improvement and performance. I
enjoy riding with others, but haven't found all that many bent riders who ride for performance. Or
if they do, it's hard to work out schedules to ride together. I've also discovered that endless low
effort miles really don't increase performance. This will be my third year on the V2, and I'm going
to use the trainer for about three work outs a week, which leaves one day a week for the long ride.
I'm following Joe Friels guidelines in "Cycling Past 50" and will see how it goes. I'm about .5mph
average higher than this time last year,up to 18 average on a 55 mile section. My goal is 20 over 68
miles on the Silver Comet Trail. I'm having fun, and I guess that's what this is all about. Would
most people want to ride the trainer 3 time a week? No. But I really think focused workouts will
lead to improvement. I'm sure it can be done on the road, but time is a factor, plus all the other
things you have to put up with outside. Maybe if I lived in Texas and had wide open roads to ride.
Let us know how your work outs on the trainer go! We'll have to get the fans set up for summer!
Regards, Greg Dorfmeier, Smyrna, Ga RANS V2 005

"Al Kubeluis" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hi Greg, Yes, Edwards-Reed HRM book is very useful, as is HRM. Yes also regarding performance
improvements. My pedaling style has improved noticeably due to trainer and to headrest. I have
smoothened pedal stroke and body rocking motion especially under stress. The reasons that trainer
and headrest have helped is feedback. When pedaling motion is uneven, trainer rocks and head moves
against headrest.
--
~~~al.kubeluis..md.usa.earth.sun.milkyway.virgo.universe..corsa~~~

"Greg Dorfmeier" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I recommend you get a book that has structured workouts in it, such as "The Heart Rate Monitor
Book for Cyclists" by Sally Edwards, or "Smart Cycling" by Arnie Baker. These make the time go
by fast. You can also track performance improvements easier than on the road. Regards, Greg
Dorfmeier, RANS V2

[email hidden] (Pat) wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (Akensmith) wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> > But any ideas or literature or similar experiences as to why indoor

may be

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> harder would be appreciated?>>
>
> Al,
>
> At the risk of pointing out the obvious, there are no hills, either up

or down

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> in your garage. When I ride the rollers in the hallway with a fan and

heart

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> rate monitor, I can work without the brief rest periods I would get

when riding

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> down a hill, coasting to a stop light, etc. So it's entirely possible

you're

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> getting a more vigorous workout indoors than you would riding for the

same time

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> outdoors.
>
> Norm

I agree with both Norm and AL, about the potential quality and benefits of stationary
training. I have been riding rollers through the winter and find it a very beneficial workout.
As Norm points out, spending an hour on whatever sort of stationary device you choose, can be
a pretty intensive workout, with few of the natural breaks/rests that you get in an on the
road riding. While commuting has a great many benefits aside from the physical conditioning
that it provides, I find that I get a much better workout for an hour on the rollers than I do
in commuting, although I also commute on a limited basis. The challenge with stationary riding
is the boredom issue and the fact that although you do get a good workout, you cannot rely
(nor would you wnat to) on station training as a replacement for spending time on the road. I
try to get out on the road at least once a week during the winter.

Pat Mc