Gym Machines
zepp44
Posts: 4
in General Chat
Hiya everybody, new to the forum, I did my last triathlon about three years ago, and now I have got the bug again and have decided to really seriously go for it again.
Question. I have just recently joined a gym, do the machines like the stairmaster, bike, treadmill, benefit you as much training wise, or are you better of going out cycling and running outside, or is it better to mix them and cross train. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanx
George
Question. I have just recently joined a gym, do the machines like the stairmaster, bike, treadmill, benefit you as much training wise, or are you better of going out cycling and running outside, or is it better to mix them and cross train. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanx
George
0
Comments
1. I believe they give you poor form, in particular the gym bike and treadmill. The bike is in such an upright position, which is very distant from the position you are going to be racing in on a road bike. This causes your form to change to less of a circular spinning action to more of a forceful downstroke, this is also caused by the inability to clip in. The pedals are also in front of your seating position slightly, rather than beneath it.
In regards to the treadmill I am less certain as to why its so different, but i find I run very differently on it than I do on the road, however it does have the advantage of being less of an impact on the knees.
2. I find gyms pretty boring places! I loose motivation if I am at the gym, whereas on the open road at least the scenery is nice and always changing!
In regards to the other machines such as the stepper, I find these can be good to increase overall fitness, but I find there effects limited in comparison to actually doing the 3 sports. As you do more of a particular action, e.g. cycling your body becomes more efficient in doing that particular action. Hence why a great cyclist with incredible fitness who doesn't swim very often would get into a pool and be knackered after a few lengths!
As its supposedly summer, hmmm, I would recommend getting out on the open road as much as you can and leave the gym for the long cold winter!
The benchmark scores (for lightweight rowers) are: 2500M sub 8.00 min, 2000M sub 6.30, 5000M sub 17.00 min.
Like the turbo trainer there are all sorts of intervals and work outs to help you get these scores
I too agree that the Concept 2 rower is brilliant but I do think that Treefrogs above Metres/Time are incorrect. I think you should aim for 230-250M/Min....
Anyhoo, TommiTri has it on the nose about bikes & treadmills, treadmills are different due to the mechanics of keeping up with a moving belt rather than propelling yourself forward in the real world with air resistance, etc etc, so a treadmill encourages a 'braking' action on the legs & body & your foot passes under your body once planted, whereas running out in the world your body passes over your planted foot..not the same thing at all.
So in short, get out & do it for real, what you do is what you get good at, the gym can be saved for the dark days of winter to strengthen weak bits, re hab or pre hab injuries, core stability etc etc.