The weather is getting cold and rainy, and the trails are closing because of the rain. How do you keep in shape while waiting for the Texas mountain bike trails to re-open?
I have a few tips that I have used over the past several years sure to keep your legs strong and waist trim.
1.) Join Spin Classes
Spin classes are a fun way to keep your legs spinning and your heart rate pounding during the off-season of mountain biking. Spin classes are offered by most gyms. 24 hour fitness, Lifetime Fitness, and LA Fitness are global chains that have locations across most of Texas and offer good spin classes. The class will be taught by an instructor and usually done to music to keep pace and push yourself harder. This is also a great way to stay social and meet new people with like minded interests.
The only bad thing I have found with spin classes is that it is entirely dependant on the instructor. I have had some amazing spin classes, and also some that I felt were awful. Find an instructor whose style fits you and become a regular in their classes.
2.) Invest in a Bike Trainer
A great way that I have found to keep in shape while indoors is with a bike trainer. A bike trainer allows you to put your own mountain or road bike on a wheel that gives you resistance while you pedal. You set the pace when using a trainer, it can be monotonous and boring but to spice it up there are plenty of DVD training courses that you can follow.
Bike Trainers also allow you to do interval workouts while indoors. Try something like this;
- Warmup for 10 minutes
- Pedal at high intensity for 2 minutes, then reduce intensity and recover for 1 minute.
- Repeat for 5 rounds, this totals 15 minutes of high intensity interval training (HIIT)
- Cooldown for 10 minutes
. They are pricey, but they will give you even resistance levels even when you change it up quickly during an interval session.3.) Cross Train Your Core
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Heya, Thanks a lot for this fantastic posting! I will bookmark Cycling Training Tips For Bad Weather | Texas Mountain Bike Trails. Thanks.
I am loving the info on your site, and your passion for mountain biking is making me ashamed to be a lazy ass and gets me up and on my bike, so that is good. If I can offer one small piece of constructive criticism, it is that you need a different backdrop for your videos. Take it outside, shoot against a blank wall, pretty much anything other than the kitchen (or bathroom?) cabinets.
Thanks so much Sean! I can definitely say that I am loving the work I put into this site. I agree completely with your advice! The wife and I are in a temporary living situation that prevents me from using a better backdrop for another week or two. But thank you for your appreciation! Keep riding!
Great post. Was wondering how I was not going to freeze to death out there, lol. Thanks!
Thanks Thomas. Freezing to death is never fun, living longer and riding harder always is though. Look me up on twitter to join me for a ride sometime. @TexasMTBtrails