Like it or not, winter has arrived. Snow is falling, traffic is crawling and the temperature continues to plummet.
It’s not exactly the most wonderful time of the year for cyclists.
However, you don’t have to let frightful weather get in the way of your training. Although outdoor cycling has come to an end for another year, there are many indoor cycling alternatives that can keep you riding until spring!
Here are a couple indoor training options we recommend to help you and your fitness survive the harsh, cold winter ahead:
Find a Spin Class
Joining a spin class at one of your local gyms is a great way to keep motivated and fit during the offseason. Try to find a fitness center that employs experienced cyclists to guarantee a biomechanically correct and cycling-specific workout.
Unfortunately, these instructors can be hard to come by since many indoor cycling classes focus on short bursts of high-intensity in order to spark the interest of non-cycling patrons.
These workouts will do little to maintain your endurance and could potentially lead to injury if you’re not careful. As a general rule of thumb, don’t do something on a spin bike that you wouldn’t do outside on a real bike.
Purchase an Indoor Bike Trainer
Assuming you already own a bike, you may want to consider purchasing an indoor bike trainer. Bike trainers are easy to use and take up very little room. You just attach your back wheel and go!
This is a great option if you’re self-motivated and familiar with proper cycling form. If that doesn’t sound like you, we suggest you reconsider joining a spinning class with an experienced instructor to help you get the most out of your indoor training sessions.
Not a problem for you? Great! But don’t run out and buy your new bike trainer just yet. There are a number of different styles to choose from, and we recommend you do some research to find the one that will best meet your needs.
Whether you choose to join a spin class or purchase an indoor bike trainer, the important thing is that you maintain your fitness over the winter months. Don’t let all that hard work you did over the spring and summer go to waste. Find the option that best fits you and let the offseason training begin!
