Spinervals recommendations?

[zoom-zoom]

I have a couple of Spinvervals discs that we've ended up with for free, but they are 2-3 hour endurance workouts. I'm thinking it might be good to have something closer to 45-60 minutes...perhaps more of a spin class format, higher intensity, intervals. Something to do 1-2x/week, as a contrast to 1-2 longer, slower workouts while watching TV or a movie.

Any recommendations? I'm kind of eyeballing either 3.0 Enter the Red Zone or 4.0 Lean and Mean.

[Selkie]

Red Zone and Lean&Mean are "Fitness" level (i.e, they aren't as challenging...ahem...as the Competition spinervals).

I have almost all of the Spinerval releases. My favorites are Hillacious (just over an hour)---it's difficult but fun; Uphill Grind (42 minutes or so of climbing, all female cast); Suffer O Rama (an oldie but goodie, under an hour); Zoot Challenge (41 minutes--tough, good combo of high cadence work with a few higher gear sets); Time Trial Special (about an hour, I think this might have some one leg drills); and the three new releases from this past spring (one of them is called The Pain Cave, one is technique focused, and the third is Super High Intensity or something like that---all are less than an hour long and are more 'classics' in terms of sets), etc.

I really like the strength-focused releases, too. Bending Crank Arms (it's just over an hour); Big Gear Strength (about 55 minutes), and Ultra Leg Strength (an hour or so). All three have some off-the-bike work (squats, lunges, etc), which mix it up.

Bad weather and Spinervals definitely give me a greater appreciation for riding on pavement!!

[zoom-zoom]

I wondered if the Fitness ones would be potentially too easy. They give them difficulty levels ~8-9, but I wasn't sure if that was comparable to the 8-9 difficulty ratings of the Competition series discs.

[ny biker]

I have several spinervals tapes but the only one I use is Team Clydesdale, which is considered easy but is plenty hard enough for me. You can always use harder gears than suggested if you want to make it more difficult.

[Blueberry]

I have several spinervals tapes but the only one I use is Team Clydesdale, which is considered easy but is plenty hard enough for me. You can always use harder gears than suggested if you want to make it more difficult.

How timely! I just finished this one. It's a solid aerobic set for me. If you want anaerobic, then go for the comp series. Uphill Grind is another favorite of mine. I detest Hillacious (but DH loves it).

[roadie gal]

Lean and Mean, although it's a "fitness" DVD is plenty difficult.

2+ on the Uphill Grind and Hillacious. The time trial ones are all very difficult.

As far as the virtual reality ones go, the Maryland one is very good. The Lake Placid one is just plain boring IMHO. The Wisconsin one is hysterical as they get lost in the first 1/2 hour and have to backtrack. Otherwise that one is mostly easy spinning.

[ridebikeme]

I own all of the Spinervals DVD's as well. We have held classes in the shop now for over ten years, so we definitely have used them with great success. What I tend to do is start with a few of fitness DVD's at the beginning of our sessions, that way if people have been off their bikes it's gives them time to get back into the swing of things.

As for favorites, I would second the opinion of Uphill Challenge, Mental Toughness, Suffer-o-Rama, Have Mercy. Although in my opinion, I don't think that you can wrong with any of them.

[ny biker]

I own all of the Spinervals DVD's as well. We have held classes in the shop now for over ten years, so we definitely have used them with great success. What I tend to do is start with a few of fitness DVD's at the beginning of our sessions, that way if people have been off their bikes it's gives them time to get back into the swing of things.

As for favorites, I would second the opinion of Uphill Challenge, Mental Toughness, Suffer-o-Rama, Have Mercy. Although in my opinion, I don't think that you can wrong with any of them.

How do you like the ones where he rides outside? I was thinking of getting the one where he rides in Maryland, just for a change of pace.

Thanks

[ridebikeme]

Although I like the DVD'S that are shown outside, I have to admit that I like the others better. I do like the Maryland one better than some of the others, but I think for future I'll concentrate on some of the competition/fitness DVD's.

There are a couple of new fitness ones coming out that are concentrating on women if any of you are interested.

[zoom-zoom]

There are a couple of new fitness ones coming out that are concentrating on women if any of you are interested.

Ahhh...how long before those might be available? I have a feeling that my rides will be mostly indoors within a month or so.

[Becky]

I like Time Saver I when I can't bring myself to spend an hour or more on the trainer. With warm up/cool down, each of the 3 workouts is about 45 minutes.