Stationary Bike?

Nekrachael

So I want to do a triathlon. I've got the running in a place I feel good about, and I'm working on the swimming. In the next two weeks, I want to start on the cycling. Outdoor cycling at the moment is at best frigid and mostly dangerous. I have a fitness club membership, and there are stationary bicycles. Are these helpful for building cycling efficiency or stamina or anything that translates to actually being on a bike? Before the first snow, I was already okay with a 20 mile distance on a variety of road surfaces that included plenty of hills, but I like running better and this fact was reflected in the number of times I chose running over cycling. So, should I go ahead and add the stationary bike to my week to improve where I'll be once the snow melts? Do people wear cycling shorts in a gym or are the seats different from a real bike?

sijomial

Yes you can train very effectively on a stationary bike - they can be excellent for HR zone training as it's easier to control cadence and resistence. My hands and feet can't tolerate cold so I do a lot of my winter base fitness training indoors.

The quality of the indoor bike matters though!

I use an eSpinning bike for LISS sessions, intervals and also for simulated hill climbing. (You might enjoy Spinning classes as an alternative?)

Just started using a Wattbike for training with a powermeter and it's an excellent piece of kit and very realistic.

Do use proper cleated cycling shoes so you can train more effectively.
Do use cycling shorts as most seats are unisex and not great fit or quality.

DeeTee68

Agree with everything said above good advice, cleated shoes make a hell of a difference to obtaining a higher cadence when needed and also get padded shorts as I didn't and I kept getting a numb willy not pleasant

zoom2

Do you have a bike, already? If so, consider buying an indoor trainer (a good magnetic trainer can be had for a couple hundred bucks, new) so that you can use it at home. That way you'll already have your preferred dialed-in fit, saddle, and pedals.

swanie12

Hi....I just got a ststionary bike and I was wondering if there are any groups here or if know of on the net where you can post your miles.....thanks
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