Spin Class vs Outside Riding

krismurphydc
krismurphydc Posts: 24 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am considering doing away with spin class. When I'm in class I make sure I increase the resistance for a good workout and to challenge myself. Class lasts an hour and when I'm done I feel like I've really pushed myself. The problem is that when I ride my bike outside after 15 minutes I'm ready to quit because it's so freaking HARD! Why am I having so much trouble riding my "real" bike? help lol!

Replies

  • panchango
    panchango Posts: 76 Member
    Wind and hills will do it.
  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
    panchango wrote: »
    Wind and hills will do it.

    Same phenomena happens with treadmill vs outside.


    Spin is a controlled environment, you have no hills, you have no wind resistance, you have no dodging or cars/bugs/potholes.
    You have to work harder outside.
  • cheshirecatastrophe
    cheshirecatastrophe Posts: 1,395 Member
    In addition to wind resistance, hills, road surface: what kind of shape is your bike in? If it hasn't been lubed or tuned up in awhile, you could be pedaling against all sorts of gunk slowing you down.
  • bathmatt12345
    bathmatt12345 Posts: 145 Member
    I find that rides can be boring if you are biking somewhere boring. I do mountain biking or biking in scenic areas, when I am done, I feel tired but enjoyed the ride.
  • 0Seattleite0
    0Seattleite0 Posts: 2 Member
    Also, if you have a heavy mountain bike with fat tires it makes for a much harder ride than with a sleek road bike. I used to think I was terrible at cycling, could never keep up with my husband. But the first time we traded bikes and I took the road bike and he was on the mountain bike, I was able to zoom past him! People (myself included) often choose a bike with fat tires when they buy their first adult bicycle thinking it will be easier to ride (and more stable I guess?), but the skinnier your tires, the less friction with the road, the easier to ride...
  • swirlybee
    swirlybee Posts: 497 Member
    0Seattleite0 wrote: »
    but the skinnier your tires, the less friction with the road, the easier to ride...
    Instead of going out and buying a new bike, you could just change the tires to a less knobby one. You can get smoother tires meant for pavement riding. That'll help out a lot.
  • krismurphydc
    krismurphydc Posts: 24 Member
    Good info. Thanks!
  • Robertus
    Robertus Posts: 558 Member
    I despise exercising indoors on a machine. It is so much nicer to be outdoors enjoying the scenery and fresh air. The fact that it is actually a better work-out is the best of all possible worlds.
  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    bathmatt12345 wrote: »
    I find that rides can be boring if you are biking somewhere boring. I do mountain biking or biking in scenic areas, when I am done, I feel tired but enjoyed the ride.

    I find that biking anywhere outside is more interesting than being inside in a gym class.
  • mwtmark
    mwtmark Posts: 1 Member
    For me tire pressure is a big factor. 10lb change can make a big difference :smiley:
  • DevilsFan1
    DevilsFan1 Posts: 342 Member
    The act of simply working to keep the bike upright requires more effort. When you ride a trainer or an exercise bike you don't have to worry about that.

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