Question for the Spinervals Guru's

[Blueberry]

Is there a trick to the standing sets? Or am I just too heavy to do them (I admittedly need to lose weight)? I crank the resistance all the way up on the trainer, but when I stand, the pedals just go straight down. Can't pedal a circle to save my life. I do fine standing on the road - it's just the trainer I'm having trouble with.

I've been converting them to sitting sets, but would like to get the extra benefit from standing if possible.:rolleyes:

Sorry if it's a dumb question:cool:

[jobob]

Not at all - standing sets on the trainer are hard!

Maybe if you try to concentrate more on pulling up rather than pushing down? That helps me a bit.

(this assumes that you're clipped in)

[dex]

I can't get the hang of standing on the trainer either. On the road, fine. On the trainer, not so much. I guess that means I need to practice more, right? *sigh* :rolleyes::p:)

[SadieKate]

What is the gearing on your bike and what gear do you use for the set?

Can you tell if the resistance mechanism on your trainer is functioning? I would think between a high gear and high resistance, you should be able to get it so that you can barely move it. Even my clydesdale hubby can get it to this point with just a basic Cycle-Ops.

[SouthernBelle]

I was wondering the same thing as Sadie Kate. If I cranked the resistance all the way and put the bike in a hard gear I would be able to stand up and have dinner.

[SadieKate]

And dessert. :D

[Crankin]

I have a lot of difficulty standing on my trainer, too. I'm in almost the highest gear, barely able to turn the pedals when I do. Mostly I am just struggling to get the pedals to move as they would when I'm on the road. I can barely get myself up!
I don't stand much when riding, I'm a spinner and i readily admit I use the easiest gear possible for whatever terrain I'm in. But, I CAN stand on the road, particularly on steep grades for a teeny change of position.

[Veronica]

It sounds like you have the resistance set too high on the trainer.

You want the resistance high enough so that the tire doesn't slip, but not so high that you can't pedal.

V.

[Blueberry]

My high gear is either a 52 or 53 11, and I played with the resistance just to play with technique. Usually I'm riding moderate resistance on the rear, and do the rest of the changing with my gears (i.e. it's tight enough the tire isn't slipping, but the wheel won't move for long when the pedaling is done). I still go down really fast (I do weigh more than most of you probably).

But....I'm really thinking that there must be a different movement associated with standing on the trainer. Some of the Spinervals call for standing in a small chain ring/23 set up. I've also tried it on big chain ring/15. (I'm doing Uphill Grind and I did Recharge today, for those who have them). I shake all over the place and cannot pedal a circle to save my life. Maybe it's that I'm so used to rocking the bike when I stand outside?? I usually don't stand much either (much prefer to spin), but will on occasion for a change of position/to stretch.

CA

[SadieKate]

The tapes say you're supposed to pedal a circle while standing? I guess I need to pay attention more.

The human body doesn't actually pedal a true circle while sitting. Yeah, the bike can't sway so you do have to adapt and you learn to be very smooth.

I also don't always use the gear ECT says to. I adjust based on the gears and conditioning I have, plus the cadence I am capable of at that time in my training (a dynamic range).

[Blueberry]

The tapes say you're supposed to pedal a circle while standing? I guess I need to pay attention more.

I don't think they say that. But, when my weight hits the pedals, they very un-glamorously go to their lowest position. Maybe pedal smoothly would be a better goal:rolleyes: In any case, i'm no where close.


The human body doesn't actually pedal a true circle while sitting. Yeah, the bike can't sway so you do have to adapt and you learn to be very smooth.

Yep - I think that's a better way of explaining it. It can't, but I strive for something that doesn't look like someone intoxicated and flailing around:)


I also don't always use the gear ECT says to. I adjust based on the gears and conditioning I have, plus the cadence I am capable of at that time in my training (a dynamic range).

Oh yeah. And I'm liberal with the extra easy spin time too (and water breaks). I just feel like I'm fundamentally not getting part of the workout. Maybe it really is just a technique I need to work on. Maybe not when I'm already getting tired in the middle of a DVD.

Thanks for the input - it really is giving me food for thought:)

CA

[SadieKate]

Try jobob's advice about pulling up then. When I start to hear a thunk in the bottom bracket on standing that's what I do also.

[emily_in_nc]

Interesting...I can stand and pedal on the trainer MUCH better than on the road! I think on the road I often end up in too easy a gear since I am a spinner and thus may not upshift enough before standing. I actually enjoy standing on the trainer, but on the road, since I am climbing a hill when I do it, it tires me quickly, and I have a hard time getting my weight centered in the right place (tend to be too far over the handlebars) so my effort is not all that effective.

When I fractured my pelvis and started back on the trainer eight weeks after surgery, I was not allowed to stand on the bike (no weight bearing). When I was allowed to do that at about 12 weeks, I tried, but could not coordinate the effort at all so had to sit back down immediately. The leg on the bad side just couldn't make circles/pull up (my hip flexor on that side were severely affected and required lots of PT). As I healed even more, got stronger and did more PT, it became easier and easier. But since you're strong enough to stand on the road, it obviously isn't that with you. Hmmm.... I'm perplexed! It doesn't seem like it would have anything to do with your weight. There are some pretty big folks on the "Team Clydesdale" Spinervals that stand and pedal. I wonder if it's bike geometry?

I am usually in the large chain ring (50t) and one of the smaller cogs in back when I stand. I keep the trainer on the "2" resistance setting (out of 5, where 5 is the most difficult), if that helps at all. All trainers are different, tho....

Good luck, CA -- let us know if it gets any easier!

Emily

[jesvetmed]

I found that my old trainer just didn't cut it for high resistance stuff. Once I upgraded to Cyclops II, I have no problem. (Although I still cannot stand and spin at 100 rpms like he asks you to do in some of them... Not even going to try! :rolleyes:)

[roadie gal]

Have you tried taking a little bit more of your weight on your hands rather than all of it on the pedals? You have to move your weight more forward for this. And don't lock out your elbows. Have a little bend in them.

[Velobambina]

It is very difficult, at first, to do the standing sets. Just keep at it. You will build up the strength to do it.