Which Spinervals for a desert isle?

[SadieKate]

Why not? If you only have the one tape, you have to "cheat" on your gears to have the appropriate variety to your workout day by day.

[Selkie]

Why not? If you only have the one tape, you have to "cheat" on your gears to have the appropriate variety to your workout day by day.

Girl, I was just teasing you!! Actually, a friend of mine does the tape using her puppy (granny) gear when she wants a recovery workout.

[VenusdeVelo]

It's hard to say which one, because he has 2 types...he has sets of DVDs that are for (off-season) aerobic and endurance (base) building training and then he has DVDs more geared towards getting ready right before the season starts where you are doing more true interval sets (harder, ~85% MHR) and anaerobic work. Ie, once you've gotten your aerobic base set, you can work on the next level. This is not the same as his differentiation between "Fitness" and "Competition" -- I find I mix alot between his Fitness and Comp series of DVDs.

So if you want all around, works for more aerobic -- try his newer aerobic training DVDs (Aero Base Builders, there are 5 of them, one is a compilation). Most are 1+ hour in length and there are alot of sets you can tailor to your liking. Otherwise, if you want routines to challenge you beyond base aerobic training, try some of the others like Lean and Mean, Sweating Buckets, No Mercy, Uphill Grind etc.

Lastly, I just tried his Irongirls DVD, and if you want a good cycling (aerobic, up to lactate threshold) and strength circuit combo in about an hour, it's great and challenging. You do need a set of dumbells and a ball, along with your bike of course. A very good all-around type of workout.

Or, look for a great sale !!!

[traveller_62]

I think "Have Mercy" is a good choice because you can get either a one or two hour workout from a single DVD and it has a good variety of intervals.

You might check EBay --- might be able to get some used DVDs or VHS tapes more cheaply than new.

[madisongrrl]

Lastly, I just tried his Irongirls DVD, and if you want a good cycling (aerobic, up to lactate threshold) and strength circuit combo in about an hour, it's great and challenging. You do need a set of dumbells and a ball, along with your bike of course. A very good all-around type of workout.

Or, look for a great sale !!!

Yup, its a good full body workout. I usually mute the tv cause I'm not a fan of Coach Troy's banter and turn up the ipod and it makes for a good, fun aerobic workout. I've found stability balls as cheap as $10 at Walmart and they have some pretty cheap dumbells also. I, for the life of me, can not rock 10lb weights like some of those Ironchicks do. I'm in the 3-5lb range....especially at the end of the workout because my arms are toast.

[susan.wells]

To get the greatest variety, I would chose either Have Mercy, "The Sequel" or Aero Base Builder V - The Compilation. He has this Have Mercy segmented nicely so that the source DVD & set are identified. Both are 2 hours long. I'm with V. though Zoot Challenge is my favorite. I am the only one in my group of riding friends who even likes this video.

[Selkie]

I like Zoot, too. It's short, intense, and never boring. Have to admit, the chick in the bathing suit still makes me cringe.

[Veronica]

I like Zoot, too. It's short, intense, and never boring. Have to admit, the chick in the bathing suit still makes me cringe.

I almost never look at the video. I'm too busy watching my cadence and HR. And for some reason today, the huge drops of sweat.

V.

One down, one to go.

[steph40]

I had not heard of Spinervals! I have a few spinning DVDs but they are SO LAME. These look great, thanks again!!

Stephanie

[JmcG]

I'd have to agree with others and say Have Mercy, although I haven't done the "Sequel" - I still need to buy it. I don't like No Slackers for some reason. Not sure why. Mental Toughness is another one that I really like (it's 90 min). There's one that should be coming out soon called the Hardcore Hundred that simulates a century ride. I think the taping was ~ 8 hours, but the final edited DVD should be maybe 6-7 hours long? That's a long time on the trainer!

[Waverly]

So far I have taken one training spin class at the LBS but to tell you the truth I hated it. I just so want to be outside when I am on my bike. Do yall actually enjoy the riding with the tapes? Maybe I just need different motivation. I have had several people swear that 20 minutes a day on the trainer will help your ride immensely but I can't seem to make myself do it. Plus like I posted elsewhere it makes my bum hurt!

Jessica

[SadieKate]

Girl, I was just teasing you!! Actually, a friend of mine does the tape using her puppy (granny) gear when she wants a recovery workout.

Puppy gear! Much more politically correct.