DVDs

[CeCe]

Hi... my favorite trainer dvd / workout is to watch the tour de france dvds (available from worldcycling.com) then use Sally Edward's heart rate monitor work books to structure my workout. Sally's rides are great... they are all different enough to be interesting and there's always one to fit your mood (hard and long, easy long, etc. etc.) Sallly needs to fire her editor though because there are a few typos and minutes/intervals that don't add up.

Phil Ligget announcing the TDF is the most inspiring! When i see Lance passing Jan Ullirich yet AGAIN... my legs can push any gear!!

[madisongrrl]

I have the Trainright Mountain Bike and Time Trail DVD's...I especially like the Mt. Bike one.

[caligurl]

we have a bunch of the spinerval dvd's... i've done a couple of them... but some are still shrink wrapped! (uhm... i hate my trainer! so i either went outside or didn't ride much in january/february during the week!)

we also have the carmichael dvd's... i've never done them.. but hubby's done them serveral times... he likes them!

[jeannierides]

I've got the Spinerval dvd's and enjoyed them (as much as you can enjoy cycling indoors) last season....toward the end of the season got the Carmichael ones...jury's still out on those. I think I'm going to ride with the Tour dvd's this season - my SO really likes riding with the pelaton, so I'm going to give it a try. No matter what, it's still INDOORS, and not my favorite...

[anne_77]

It's cheezy but I absolutely love watching the Tour DVD's. Last summer I timed my cardio at the gym so I could watch the Tour - it was very inspiring

[traveller_62]

I use Spinerval videos extensively since a large part of my training year is spent indoors on a trainer. I like the tapes because they are designed to work on specific aspects of cycling techniques. I have a tape for climbing, a few on recovery and technique, time trialing, interval training, etc. I love having the tapes for when I can't get out on the road.

I also go to Spinn classes in the winter at the local YMCA. I'm lucky to have three instructors in the area that are top notch and because they are all cyclists they teach spinning to improve cycling technique.

Sometimes I do just pop in a Tour De France tape and ride with the boys. I climb when they climb and sprint when they sprint, etc.

If you are training (working on specific techniques) I recommend getting Spinervals or something like that. If you just want to be on the trainer for an unstructured workout I think the Tour De France tapes are more fun.

traveller

[Selkie]

I highly recommend Spinervals. There are more than 20 different DVDs from which to choose---the workouts range from recovery sessions, aerobic base training, strength work on the bike, time trial workouts, sprinting/anaerobic work, endurance sessions, etc. The music, especially in the earlier DVDs, isn't the best, but I've gotten to the point where I don't even hear it. The latest DVDs have an "music off" option, so you can use your own tunes. While Spinervals are about $30 each, I've found them an excellent investment.

I think Coach Troy should consider featuring a Team Estrogen crew in an upcoming DVD.

[bluerider]

Thanks for the suggestions ladies. I bought two this weekend, Tough Love and AeroBase Builder I. And also bought a highlights thing of Lance and his seven big wins at TdF. Really motivating.

Although I findi that riding on trainer is way more tough than outside?!?!? Does that make sense? I have a fan going. Awesome looking headband rocking and towels to catch sweat from hittign the bike. Anyone done a workout of 2+ hours on their trainer? That's insane!

[Selkie]

Anyone done a workout of 2+ hours on their trainer? That's insane!

Yes, I've done 2+ hours on the trainer. I have been able to slog through Tough Love in its entirety twice. The worst part is the 5 sets of 6 minutes (1 minute sitting/1 standing). Once you're past that one, you're home free.

The Spinervals you bought are good ones. You can break down Tough Love into shorter segments if you don't want to do the entire 3 hours! Check out the two Have Mercys---lots of variety and you can break those down into shorter workouts.