Anybody using an indoor trainer? What is your training plan? What do you do to keep from being bored?
I use a Performance fluid trainer with the computer readout of both current and average watta and mph. I havent' started using it this winter yet, but mostly watched recorded old Versus cycling broadcasts, Illini basketball games, and Spinervals DVD's. I have a ways to go before I will be back to being able to use the spinervals.

We have two trainers here one a Kreitler Rollers and a Kinetic Trainer Road Machine. Both my husband and I are active road riders in the nice weather. In the off season I love to ride the trainer. I bike every day on the Kinetic trainer for 45 minutes I have a set of music that I like to listen to or I put on a movie and zone out. I like to listen to the music the best. I never seem to get bored training maybe perhaps that I have a goal of 50lbs by March and every time I ride I know I am getting closer to seeing my kids that is the reward for losing the 50. Visualization also works well for me, I imagine some of my favorite rides over the last few years. Good Luck eventually I will be brave enough to get on the rollers but for today I am still on the trainer.
Hugs.
K8

I have a lot of experience with the bike and will use the trainer and spinervals to supplement my cario...I also have powercranks on my trainer bike so the work out is tough. I highly recommend the trainer for your HITT cardio workouts....the key is to ramp up the intesity after a warm up. Spinervals are perfect for that, they all have a 6-8 minute warm up. Pick one with some hard sets...don't wait to use them, your ready now. Let your HR be your guide, for this type of workout, watts and MPH are not that important, think INTENSITY...

One of my goals is to get a sub-60 minute 25 mile time trial. I have gained weight with several years of infrequent activity, My last time trial was 9/8/04 and time was 72:33 at 233 pounds of weight. I just started my transformation at 255.5 pounds. If I build back my traisning level and get my weight down to at least the same as Magnus Backstedt's (207 as per the Garmin-Chipotle Pro Team website), I should be able to accomplish this goal. I have found in past years that hitting the road bike trainer before getting under 240 pounds causes too much back pain. Instead, it is best to stay on a mountain or hybrid bike on with lots of base miles at a high cadence in the early season. I would prefer to have my base already built by now, but I have only been hiking or walking on the treadmill so far.

I started biking last year at the insistence of my friends and love it. This is one of my reasons for wanting to get in shape. We ride during the nice weather and spin during the winter at a local gym. I recently bought a trainer and am looking for some DVDs for a good workout at home. Are the Spinerval DVDs that you mentioned pretty good? Can you recommend any others?

Biker,

The spinervals are great - buy the interval versions...any of them will do. They have a great website, check it out.

I too am a newbie cyclist and loving it. I have about reached my base goal of 500 miles (currently at 447) and looking at purchasing a trainer. Any suggestions?

Hello, I don't have any recent experience( my bike say's titanium just isn't strong enough for my big fat---- )but when I was riding I really enjoyed rollers. I purchased Krietlers with the fan. Besides being able to get an awesome workout, rollers improve your form,balance,pedal stroke etc. They do take a bit of practice to get used too. I suggest setting them up in a door opening so you can catch yourself when you go off the rollers.(and you will go off!!!!) If you can afford it, I would buy a fixed trainer also. It would make training with a Spinerval tape or watching T.V. way easier, especially for someone starting out. Hope that helps

I have a simple $100 trainer, nothing fancy. I adjust the gears for resistance and like to wear a heart rate monitor. I find my trainer to be a little more difficult than the bikes a the gym to change resistance a lot, but I can still get a great work out. I've never used Spinervals, but usally just watch something on TV. My trainer riding happens at 4:30 am, so I go for the quiet ride.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. Sounds like rollers can provide the additional benefit of improving balance. I'll check it out.

they can, but remember they can help you fall too.