Cardio / Fat Burning programs on bike - at gym ???

nixism

Hey guys,

I've been working out the last month and going really well. However, I do my own thing, ie when using the e-bike I just pedal away XX minutes and choose or adjust the intensity - usually I am doing level 10 out of 20, with boosts of level 12 or 14 to mix it up a bit - so quite an intense work out (for me). My HR is usually up around the 155-170 something when I am working out on the bike and I am sweating like CRAZY. So I figure I am doing well.

The other day I thought I'd try the preset programs on the e-bike. Well, I chose fat burnings, then tried cardio, then the random functions and they were all so easy... really light resistance and just... in my opinion... not worth doing?

Is it bad for me to be sweating so hard, HR pumping, red face when working out - I never "over do it", like keel over... but I always go hard out - thats what I am there for.

Thoughts?? Why are those programs so light weight??

Azdak

The programs adjust resistance based on HR-they ramp up over some minutes and sometimes include a warm up. So you might not feel the effort as quickly.

But they also choose the target HR based on the 220-age formula. Often that default target HR is notably lower than what you would exercise at, esp the fat burning program. So it would put you at a much lower Intensity.

Just like HRMs are "dumb" devices, so are these programs. They cannot inherently put you at the right intensity. You still need to know your own HR for different intensities. These programs usually allow you to override the default HR setting-which you have to do to get anything out of these programs.

Personally, I recommend sticking with manual control or varying resistances rather than the HR-based programs. The quality of the workout tends to be better.

nixism

Thanks azdak, I thought I was doing the right thing, I know what I can handle workout wise, so will stick with it.

MFPBONNIE

Those pre set program are too easy for my old body too

C00lCountry

If it is like the bike I have at home, you choose the preset and start it.
After that you can adjust the over all resistance.
It moves everything though not just 1 line.
If you got something that works why change.