5 Great Workouts When You Can’t Get Outside to Ride Your Bike

2009 August 19

by Jackie

: Image via Wikipedia

It’s been raining here for the last 3 or 4 days. I’m not too bummed because my bike happens to be in the shop so I couldn’t ride even if the weather was beautiful, but there’s no reason to get lazy even when the weather is bad.

If you are training for a ride, whether it’s a shorter ride like the Walnut Valley Metric or something much longer like Bike Across Kansas, you need to find a way to keep up your training even when the weather is so bad you just don’t want to get out on your bike.

Here’s some options to keep getting stronger inside.

1. Bike Rollers

If you really want to ride your bike you can get a set of rollers, and that will allow you to ride inside. Rollers are basically a training device where you put your bike on and basically ride it on rollers. Bike rollers will help improve your spin as well as your balance and bike handling skills. Bike Rollers can be pretty expensive, but it is a great training tool if you can’t ride outside.

2. Bike Trainer

A bike trainer also allows you to ride your bike inside, however it basically turns it into an exercise bike. The bike is stabilized and you simply pedal, there is no balance involved. It does allow you to continue to ride, and this type of trainer can be much cheaper than the rollers.

3. Weight Training

It’s important to do some training off your bike as well as regular riding, so why not take the rainy/super hot days as time to do your weight lifting workout. Make sure you work not only your legs, but your back, arms as well as your core during your weight training workouts. (although not necessarily all in the same day). I personally like to pull out workout videos I have amassed in my attempts to get fit. I will throw in a Power 90 video and work it out.

4. Aerobic Workout

Riding your bike can definitely increase your aerobic ability, but you may notice other types of aerobics will work different muscles and your lungs differently. You can get an aerobic workout at home, with a video or following along on the TV ~ you can even use the Wii Fit or another game for the Wii ~ I personally use My Fitness Coach for Wii sometimes for an interesting rainy day workout. If you want to get out of the house go to the gym or your local Y and take in a spinning class or even a regular aerobics class. Training other than bike riding is always going to help your overall health and wellness.

5. Flexibility

Creating more flexibility in your body will help your cycling, so why not do a Pilates or Yoga workout? Both of these workouts will not only help your flexibility but they will also work those muscles that get neglected while biking, but make a big difference in your ride ~ like your hip flexors. You can find pilates and yoga workouts online at youtube or you can grab a DVD. If you want to get out of the house most gyms have both Pilates and Yoga classes available.

Just because it’s pouring buckets or you’ve got a couple inches or feet of snow doesn’t mean you can let your workout slide by. Make sure you take advantage of those indoor days by grabbing a workout that you probably wouldn’t do if the sun was shining and you were on your bike. Your body will thank you for it!