Question Via Email - Videos for Trainer Motivation ?

Hey Peter,

I want to download or purchase virtual spinning bike videos - endurance and interval training.  Do you have any experience with these or have any suggestions ?

Hello and great question

Admittedly, I do not have a whole lot of ideas as I tend to focus more on having a goal during workout, such as sets/reps for cadence / durations / wattage / speeds / paces etc.  

That said I understand the attraction to visual stuff for some people. This attraction likely depends how you learn or how you are motivated. I tend to prefer tactile or 'doing' based learning more then visual so I rarely watch things while on the trainer. I find watching TV actually quite tough in general! But that doesn't mean it is not the key to improving your enjoyment of indoor training. 

Anyhow some suggestions:

1) ... ERG video is awesome, especially if you have a computrainer as the video interacts with the trainer to adjust for terrain / intervals. They have just released one featuring Myself, Matt Paziuk, and Mark / Eric Batty riding some awesome California Terrain. (*I make no money off of this production/promotion) ... there videos work without the computrainer as any video does. 

2) Spinervals are quite popular , I have no knowledge of them. 

3) there is a podcast called sufferfest that might be free ... definately look into podcasts and let me know what you find. 

4) if you look on ebay/used sites/friends you should be able to find all the classic CTS videos (charmical) pretty cheap and I remember them being pretty solid workouts 

5) look for a post in next 24hours at smartathlete.com on 'passing' time on the trainer . Remember before you invest heavily in videos that winter makes for great outdoor training too and that a few 30-60min sessions with focus can provide much benefit

6) don't forget standard cycling / tour videos too ... motivation and likely good visualization practice (ie. riding on terrain, in groups, under pressure)