How to not die of boredom on a trainer

Unlike many of the brave souls here, I take my riding indoors when it gets cold. Riding my trainer isn't fun by a traditional definition of the word, but over the years I've learned a few tricks to keep myself from dying of boredom and/or going insane. I thought I'd share them here and I'd love to hear anyone else's tips as well.

- Watch Law & Order. L&O is good for a few reasons: it's always on, the pace is pretty good, it's exactly an hour and you always know where you are in the program (i.e. once they go into the courtroom, you know you're about halfway done).

- While watching anything on TV, stay in the saddle during the program and get out of the saddle during commercials. When the show goes to commercial, go up to your highest gear, get out of the saddle and stay there until you're back to the program. It's a great way to break up your effort and it makes you realize how long commercial breaks are.

- DIY spin class. Make up a class consisting of flats, climbs and jumps, create a playlist, and lead yourself in a class. Having a plan and sticking to it really helps. This became much easier when I got certified as a spin instructor, and I have some class plans I can send to anyone who wants them.

- Single leg drills. Focus on one leg for 30 seconds and let the other leg be carried around. Then switch. Then bring them together. Repeat. I don't know why I like these so much, but they really help snap me out of my boredom.

As helpful as these have been to me over time, I need some more suggestions! Anyone have any good ones?

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Permalink Reply by Chi Tour de Cure on December 1, 2008 at 6:53am
I have, from time to time, moved my CycleOps trainer out to our building's patio for a mid-winter session. Without the wind that comes with riding on the open road, I find that it can actually be pretty comfortable with the proper layering - I can't STAND being hot and clammy inside of our pad. I also get some pretty great double takes from people down on the sidewalk that happen to notice me. For these sessions I just go with the iPod.

Just be courteous to your nieghbors - some of the trainers are wicked loud!
Permalink Reply by joe stein on December 1, 2008 at 11:20am
warren miller's ski flix get me through long drills. energetic (leaning toward punk) tunes, snow, crazy idiots skiing, and a haphazard narration. you don't have to pay too much attention (esp good when on rollers), but occupy right cells enough to keep me from giving up and cracking a beer.

http://www.netflix.com/Search?v1=warren+miller&lnkce=acsNoEnhRt

perhaps we could share some favorite training tunes?
Permalink Reply by yellow jello on December 1, 2008 at 2:15pm
I like the idea of setting up the trainer out on the patio. For me however, I used to have my trainer facing the window so I could people-watch while I pedaled away. With an HRM, I would play games like "bring heart rate up to 85% for 2 minutes when a winter biker goes by," or something along those lines. The games would depend on the demographics of where you live of course.

However, I live on a quiet street now so I have only been on the trainer once so far.... Leah, please send me them class plans!
Permalink Reply by J on December 3, 2008 at 3:52am
If you don't already have a trainer, but are thinking of training indoors -- consider choosing rollers instead, as many riders find the experience to be more mentally engaging.

But generally speaking, I find group stationary workouts to really make a difference. Especially if you have a standing workout time over the winter, it's much easier to motivates oneself to do it if there's shared suffering involved.

Ditto too on highly structured workouts... intervals, cadence drills, one legged, etc -- whether you are a competitive rider with a specific goal, or a recreational rider just trying to stay fit, drills will make it a more enjoyable experience.

I enjoy watching classic stages of the grand tours, especially the Pyrenees and Alps. You can easily torrent most of them. Watching track racing makes me dizzy and I tend to fall off the rollers, especially if it's particularly banked. Alternatively F1 and rally car racing can make for excellent indoor viewing.

Lastly, try riding indoors but outdoors. It does help to do this in a group, so as to not look insane -- but it's actually really comfortable as long as it's not raining or snowing. My team rides together on the sidewalk, on rollers no less! This also has the added benefit of not having to mop up the floor every morning, which can be very tiresome.
Permalink Reply by Leah on December 3, 2008 at 4:15am
no shame in being a soldier in johnny g's army! :)

h3 said:
A secret of my dark past- I was Johnny G certified at one point myself.
Permalink Reply by Leah on December 3, 2008 at 4:16am
good call. starting a thread about it now...

pokeybonz said:
perhaps we could share some favorite training tunes?
Permalink Reply by Jamie on December 3, 2008 at 5:21am
J said:
Lastly, try riding indoors but outdoors.

I'm actually considering doing this with my rollers... mainly because I have a tendency to overheat indoors. and yeah cleaning up the floor afterwards is a pain in the ass.
Permalink Reply by S on December 3, 2008 at 6:14am
Jamie said:
I'm actually considering doing this with my rollers... mainly because I have a tendency to overheat indoors. and yeah cleaning up the floor afterwards is a pain in the ass.

I've always tried to put a towel on my top tube to catch the inevitable drips and sweat and that seems to help. You can always get a yoga mat or trainer mat to lay on the floor to keep the puddles of sweat off the floor as well.

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