fighting boredom on the trainer?

djbike · February 1st, 2006, 10:03 AM

I'm setting up my magtrainer to get ready for this season. What do you guys do to fight boredom while on the trainer? I've tried music and it helps, but just a little. I'm thinking about putting the trainer in front of the TV, or maybe rigging up a stand where I can try to read a book while cranking.

**Dial_tone** · February 1st, 2006, 10:33 AM

I just use my Ipod but if I rode in the apt I'd park in front of the tv and watch a Spinervals DVD. I have some old Videocycle tapes I used to use. I have a Travel Trac Century Fluid Trainer and I think it's too loud to ride in an apt, although I can't tell since i'm the one on it.

http://www.destinationfitness.com/series/videocycle.htm
http://www.spinervals.com

**Liquid30** · February 1st, 2006, 06:07 PM

T.V. works best, as long as the trainer isn't too loud, but then you could always turn it up. Music is always good, but I have to have something to look at instead of staring at a wall.

**Brock Samson** · February 1st, 2006, 11:49 PM

Still looking for something to keep me focued on a trainer but I've found that watching a stage of CM4 (cycling manager 4) is o.k. Doing the Paris-Roubaix stage helps time go and I do intervals as the riders do each section of the cobbles. It lasts around 40 minutes so if I watch it twice I get a pretty good workout. That is the only thing that has ever kept me on a trainer for more than 1/2 hr.

If you find some cool way to do a trainer, please share it with the rest of us. Please. One of my friends says watching porn helps keep him going on the trainer, what a pervert!

**TNT1** · February 2nd, 2006, 12:36 AM

Use 'pod, learning German, so it's a good time to practice... also I use rollers, not magtrainer, so you gotta concentrate more on staying upright....

nebneb · February 2nd, 2006, 12:40 PM

lots and lots of mind altering drugs and a fan is a must!!!

Jürgen · February 2nd, 2006, 01:42 PM

First, sorry for my english (just in case).
TV or music don't work in my case (max. 40 min.). I'm thinking about recording some mountain stages and play them while riding, but it's solution for next winter - I've forgot to do it last year

.

x27haz11 · February 3rd, 2006, 01:29 AM

Don't watching the same video over and over again get boring though? Granted a person might run the same trail outside at least there is variances in weather, temperature, and etc. I never could stand using any stationary machine. Cycles, treadmills, etc., they all drive me nut, especially because there is not real "sensation" of movement. Unless there is wind in my face, I don't feel right.

Looking_For_Advice · February 6th, 2006, 04:11 AM

I'll watch a movie or tv show. I rarely finish a movie though, I am not spending 2 hours on the trainer at a time...

dallas207 · February 13th, 2006, 10:50 PM

I try a little something different each time. Sometimes its a book or a magazine. I've also done the tv or movie thing. A lot of times I pratice my pedal stroke. Try using one leg at a time and if your clipped into the pedals you can try a workout by pulling up on the pedals versus always pushing down. Oh, and I like using a fan on low speed for whatever reason

meverett · February 17th, 2006, 06:51 PM

I've used videos of races. I climb when they climb, sprint when they sprint. Make sit more interesting. If I watch anything else, I don't try hard enough.

djbike · February 28th, 2006, 11:27 AM

I can manage 20 minutes pretty easily listening to music with headphones. I can probagly go 30 minutes if I really suffer through it. That's better than nothing, since it's dark when I get home at night. Maybe that will hold me over until Daylight Savings time begins again.

**Brock Samson** · March 1st, 2006, 01:41 PM

Broke my collarbone two wks ago so I'm only able to ride trainer right now. In other words... BORING. But I got some Oakley thump II's and the music makes it easier to pass the time.

Corinthian · March 1st, 2006, 10:31 PM

I like to focus on the rides at least twice per week, no noise, or outside distractions. Just for the sake of mental discipline.

Tycho

nebneb · March 2nd, 2006, 02:20 AM

train on the turbo so fucking hard for 40-50 mins you wont have time to get bored as your be to busy beig sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SwivelMan · March 3rd, 2006, 08:32 AM

A few things work for me...got a free Chris Carmichael DVD with a replacement part on my mag trainer, so that works great for some structured training. I also tape car shows from Speed or Spike and watch those, or load up a motivational CD or MP3 to listen to while I spin. An hour goes by pretty quickly doing any one of those.