Should I cancel gym and get a turbo trainer?

[philinmerthyr]

3 weeks into training and I'm totally hooked. I proved my commitment today with an hour riding in torrential rain. I can't see me missing many sessions so am wasting the £35 per month gym fees.

With 25% Internet discount and 10% British Cycling discount I can get a Elite Magnetic Cycle Trainer for £94 from Halfords.

Will I regret cancelling my gym membership and buying the trainer? Is there a better trainer available or around £100?

 

[defy-one]

Personally i find the gym boring. Have tried it a few times and always ended up wasting money.
I wouldn't even bother with a turbo trainer.
Wrap up well and ride. If the weather is really bad for cycling ..... Go for a brisk 4 mile walk/jog/run.
A couple of dumbells at home will give you plenty of weight training exercises to do. Mix in some press ups & sit ups ........ Hey presto gym like workout without the cost.
I bought a treadmill about 4 years ago ..... That and the bike are the best (and only) bits of equipment!!

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I have one of the Virtual Reality Turbo trainers and they are OK I personally prefer my rollers more as this relates closer to cycling.
Rollers also teach you how to ride in a straight line and consistently which is exceptionally useful when riding in groups.
You think you have balance, wait till you get on rollers for the first time, its a whole new experience imho

 

[Peter Armstrong]

I Have a turbo Trainer and go GYM, I hate riding in the rain or the dark, yes im a big wimp but why go out if I know im not gonna enjoy it? Id keep both, when Im bored of the turbo trainer ill use the gym then visa versa.

 

[screenman]

defy-one, that is unusual in that you like the treadmill but would not have a turbo. Is there a reason that one is better than the other in terms of enjoyment.

 

[defy-one]

It was bought when i was overweight and hadn't discovered cycling again.
Gave me the much needed confidence to actually do some exercise. Funny enough i used it last night for a one mile run and 1 mile walk followed by weights,press ups and sit ups. Felt great with MTV on the spare tv

 

[black'n'yellow]

if your aim is to improve cycling performance, then nothing you do in the gym will contribute to that. The turbo sounds like a good deal and will be very useful as a performance training aid. All you need to do now is join up with http://www.merthyrcyclingclub.co.uk/ and you'll be sorted...

 

[Peter Armstrong]

if your aim is to improve cycling performance, then nothing you do in the gym will contribute to that. The turbo sounds like a good deal and will be very useful as a performance training aid. All you need to do now is join up with http://www.merthyrcyclingclub.co.uk/ and you'll be sorted...

What about hill sprints on the bike? I use the GYM bike for hard sprints as my turbo carnt handle it, plus spinning bikes?

Just noticed its the famous "BnY" nevermind.....

 

[black'n'yellow]

What about hill sprints on the bike? I use the GYM bike for hard sprints as my turbo carnt handle it, plus spinning bikes?

you're going to have to explain what you mean....

 

[Peter Armstrong]

you're going to have to explain what you mean....

me sorry english me bad is write.

On the staionary bikes you strap you feet in at the GYM and set a programme to "Hills" Turn the resistance right up, when you get to the hills cycle hard, then recover on the flats, burns the legg, gets the heart rate soring!! (HIIT).

You know how some experts clam 30min HIIT training is more effective than 2-3 hrs of constant cycling.....

So I do 1-2 hours on the turbo and go to the GYM for the HIIT

That help?

 

[black'n'yellow]

me sorry english me bad is write.

On the staionary bikes you strap you feet in at the GYM and set a programme to "Hills" Turn the resistance right up, when you get to the hills cycle hard, then recover on the flats, burns the legg, gets the heart rate soring!! (HIIT).

You know how some experts clam 30min HIIT training is more effective than 2-3 hrs of constant cycling.....

So I do 1-2 hours on the turbo and go to the GYM for the HIIT

That help?

not really, no. You haven't explained why you can't do any of that on either a turbo, or your road bike. Most people I know do their HIIT sessions on a turbo - that's what they're for.

 

[Peter Armstrong]

Road Bike: Too wet, cold and dark through the week, im a wimp
Turbo: Too noisey, when a max resistance, tire wear, etc
Gym Bike : Warm, bright, and I can max that mo fo out without worring that Im burning rubber or annoying the people in the flat below.

 

[RAYMOND]

You can train at home,press ups,chin ups, leg squats with a barbell or 2 dumbells.
Just think of the cycling gear you can buy each month with £35.

 

[numbnuts]

I cancelled my gym membership because it was too expensive and bought a bike
I then found cycling ain't cheap either

 

[4F]

Cycle to the gym, best of both worlds