I have a 1/2hr to work out at the gym during my lunch. Does it do any good to spin this time of year? I know I get a lot out of a 1/2hr run and even a ½ hr swim(drills, 100’s etc), and strength/agility training, but is there any way to make a 1/2hr spin on a spinner bike at the gym beneficial? Especially in the offseaon.
You could do a 10 min warm-up, some Tabata sets, then a cool down…so yes, there could be some benefit.
There is always benefit when you work out, but there can be a lot of variables.
I think the ratio Dan uses on here to account for biking to running miles is about 3 to 1 so 3 miles on the bike = 1 mile on the run. So the ROI for 30 minutes might not be as great as the run could be but also how good is your biking vs. running?
How many miles a week do you get in? Would about 8-10 more help?
30 minutes could also be a good time on the bike for an active recovery ride.
Agreed. Tabata.
More importantly, doesn’t a quick 30 minute workout make ya feel good? …if so, just do it.
Actually, I’m coming back from pancreatic surgery that forced me to cancel my entire race season back in June. My muscles are mush and I’ve only gained back 5lbs of the 20 I lost. Now that I think about it, a 1/2 hour of anything would be beneficial.
Maybe I should ask how to make the most of the 1/2 hour spin? I don’t know if I’m ready to kill myself with TABATA just yet.
I agree that a 1/2 hour run will get you a greater return but since that is not your question I think you can get a pretty good workout in. I can’t really shorten a warm-up so I would warm up 10 minutes regardless of the length of the session. You probably need about a 5 minute cool down as well. Use your imagination for the 15 minutes in between. 10 x 1 minute with 30 seconds rest, 15 minutes hard TT…
the half hour spin will do so much for you that the run could never do.
it promotes muscle health, joint health and cardiovascular endurance without impact. it increases joint nutrition as well.
if i had a half hour to spin during the day i would find a moderate resistance and work on that for the half hour. think of it as a half hour of healing!
john
I hope it helps - a lot of my rides are in the 1/2 hour range.
I do a very high intensity trainer workout for 30 minutes, and I find it very beneficial. If you just sit there and spin for 30 minutes without a purpose, then it will be less useful.