more challenging bike ride

[mom418]

i have in door bike. the kind with a flat seat. just about everything that can break on my poor bike has. but i wear ankle weights for resistance. i can still pedal, thats what matters.
so in addition to the ankle weights, is there something i could do to make it more challenging? intervals of squats and bike? somehow adding resistance in another way?
if my butt isnt sore from a previous w/o it takes 45-60 mins for my butt to be burning. maybe theres a way to make the w/o more efficient/challenging.
if not its still lb w/o that gives results. thanks for reading.

 

[LaughingWater]

Can you pedal pretty fast and/or stand up while pedaling on that bike? If so, you could try a spinning DVD. I used to have a bike and spinning workout, and it was tough. I got rid of the bike a few years ago to make room, and now I'm sorry.

In addition, have you heard of Cardio Coach? You could perform those workouts on a bike as well.

 

[mom418]

great ideas!
i have tried before to stand up, and tried again just now. i cant, because the handles/electronic panel is in the way. but it gave me an idea, hold myself up using handles next to the seat. which would work everthing more. interested to see how long i could do that, or doing intervals of it.
i can pedal pretty fast i think, although obviously faster without wts.
the seat isnt screwed on, although i have no trouble keeping it on when i ride..gave me another idea, could try riding without the seat cushion. prob. wouldn't work very well though.

had completely forgotten about spinning dvds. i could see about renting/borrowing one.
have heard of cardio coach. lots of cathletes love it. not spending any money right now, but i'll keep looking see if theres a free version.
its weird i've had the bike a long time. used it off and on, but i used it the most after the electric part and resistance knob broke. i think i didnt appreciate it enough. it was a gift. i wanted equip. but i like treadmills better. but with little kids its much more dangerous, expensive(with a motor), and more space needed. if everything had broken on a tm i'm pretty sure i would've had to throw it out. so in the long run it was better to get the bike.

 

[mom418]

ha ha! i CAN stand up!
standing on the other side of the bike where theres no seat, just pedals, if that makes sense.
so standing on the pedals with handle bars giving more than a little support lol. sure to give a great w/o.

 

[LaughingWater]

One other question: Do you have stairs in your house? Sometimes I get it in my head to run up and down the stairs in my living room for a quick cardio blast, and it's pretty effective.

Another cardio option that won't cost much is a jump rope.

 

[mom418]

great question. i dont have stairs. i did make a step its about 14 in. high right now. that does give a good work out. running or going quickly when its lower. the wii balance board counts the steps too. so thats a good one. i put a box/puzzle mats under it. as long as its level it will count it. cant run on the board can on the box. i'm thinking about buying an actual step. they are more pricey than i expected, even used. i'll prob. get one maybe when we move to a bigger place. everything is stuffed in my bedroom/workout room.i even sit on my bike typing, gives a toasty feeling to the tushie.