During the cold, wet, snowy winter we’re having keeping on top of training is obviously harder than when the weather is nice and sunny. This is where the trusty turbo comes in handy. If you’re not a cyclist then this probably means little, so I should explain that the turbo is an indoor trainer that you fix your wheel to. You can pedal as hard as you like, but you ain’t going anywhere. Much like an exercise bike, but way better as you’re actually on the bike you’ll ride, in the right position etc and can get your body used to being set up as such.
Problem is that it is ridiculously boring. I use the turbo at least 3 times a week and vary my workouts, but still, staring at the garage door for 30 or 60 minutes is nobody’s idea of fun, is it? Even with music in my ears or the GPS telling me when to change my interval speed…it’s tedious.
So, enter the Sufferfest. Emma came across these little beauties and has worked them into her training. I’m doing the same.
Basically, the Sufferfest is a couple of video based turbo workouts that will keep you on your toes and push you pretty hard. Motivation during turbo sessions is sometimes hard to come by, but having the instructions pop up on your iPod as you work through it is very handy indeed. The soundtracks are good and the accompanying cycling footage works very well.
I’ve done them a couple of times and will definitely be adding the Sufferfest hour long workout into my training at least once a week from now on. They really are very good.
Well done to David McQuillen for creating them. There are just two right now, Downward Spiral and Fight Club. I’ll write a little more about each as I get to grips with them. For now, here’s a sneak peek:
