Got a trainer for Christmas..... - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

fusnik11 · 01-07-2008, 06:14 AM

I like it.

Little loud.

Cycle-Ops.

Been doing a Carmichael interval training workout since Christmas and have quickly dropped 5 lbs.

Any ideas on how to keep motivated on a trainer?

Furthermore, how can I utilize a heart rate monitor to the best of it's ability?

bluegoose · 01-07-2008, 03:38 PM

Regarding fighting boredom on the trainer, I really have to mix up my workouts to stay somewhat sane. Some days I will spin very light resistance. Others I will do between 1-3 minutes above 85% max effort. Other days it is short 15-30 second sprints at max effort. Other days it is 1-2 minute intervals of single leg pedalling.

I also really need to mix up what I do while riding. I've got a stem-mounted book stand that I can read magazines one. I also download several different podcasts from iTunes onto the iPod. i find that they pass time much better than music. When I am really suffering in the garage, I will bring it into the living room and watch tv.

Regarding the HR monitor, it really depends on what your goal is for the ride. In the winter, most people stay pretty mellow about getting their HR up too high, wanting to focus more on building an aerobic base. However, there is mounting evidence that shorter, high-intensity workouts instead of long, slow miles allows someone to maintain much better fitness in the winter months.

Long slow days, stay between 60-70% of max HR. Interval days try to keep your max effort HR above 85% max. 75-85% MHR is no-mans land and offers fewer benefits than staying above or below that range.

01-07-2008, 06:14 AM	#1
fusnik11 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,506	Got a trainer for Christmas..... I like it. Little loud. Cycle-Ops. Been doing a Carmichael interval training workout since Christmas and have quickly dropped 5 lbs. Any ideas on how to keep motivated on a trainer? Furthermore, how can I utilize a heart rate monitor to the best of it's ability?

01-07-2008, 03:38 PM	#2
bluegoose Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,919	Regarding fighting boredom on the trainer, I really have to mix up my workouts to stay somewhat sane. Some days I will spin very light resistance. Others I will do between 1-3 minutes above 85% max effort. Other days it is short 15-30 second sprints at max effort. Other days it is 1-2 minute intervals of single leg pedalling. I also really need to mix up what I do while riding. I've got a stem-mounted book stand that I can read magazines one. I also download several different podcasts from iTunes onto the iPod. i find that they pass time much better than music. When I am really suffering in the garage, I will bring it into the living room and watch tv. Regarding the HR monitor, it really depends on what your goal is for the ride. In the winter, most people stay pretty mellow about getting their HR up too high, wanting to focus more on building an aerobic base. However, there is mounting evidence that shorter, high-intensity workouts instead of long, slow miles allows someone to maintain much better fitness in the winter months. Long slow days, stay between 60-70% of max HR. Interval days try to keep your max effort HR above 85% max. 75-85% MHR is no-mans land and offers fewer benefits than staying above or below that range.