With things becoming more scientific in design, cycling training also has also joined the bandwagon with the availability of power cranks and pulse rate monitors. With the advances in this technology it is now possible to train in one country, report to your coach who is on the other side of the world and also at the same time, make use of the internet to send all data regarding the training on your bike – duration, pulse, speed, altitude, distance and power output in watts! In response your coach can provide you with guidance and tell you whether you are performing well or not.
Power Cranks and Pulse Monitors
This is a special chain set and an expensive kit, which can replace your existing cranks. It is for high intensity training. It is able to tell you the power output and everything else that the pulse monitor does. Different pulse monitors are available to read your pulse and some of them are cycling specific. One thing that needs to be considered is that they clutter the wrist or the bike handlebar.
At the touch of a button heart rate monitors provide a lot of information. Polar S725x is a well known brand for fitness rate monitors, providing information on how much time is taken, how far you have gone, your speed as well as pulse. With some extra features added, it can tell temperature, steepness of the climb, pedal revolutions and calculate power output too.
Training aspect:
In the earlier methods of training, people would get tired soon and easily. But these days, people make more out of their training time with specialized training methods. Pulse monitors help greatly in this endeavor. The best way is to train with a group and take turns in riding, striving as hard as you can in the front (in turns) with the rest behind. The pulse monitor tells you when to ride full force and when not to so. Enjoy your cycling and don’t make it cumbersome. For warming up, you can use of warming oil which prepares the body for physical activity, oxygenizes muscles, and increases blood circulation.
Special patches protect the thigh and buttock areas from friction and irritation. Most important is to set the right training plan and know how to train with necessary improvised methods. A number of beginners programs are available for those new into training and those getting back after a while.
Did you enjoy the article on bicycles??, Alison Addy is an online entrepreneur and writes for bikecyclingreviews.com . A focused website that offers the articles on cycling training.
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May 15 2010 | bicycle | No Comments »
Training and exercise does not have to stop in cold weather, if some precautions are taken before hitting the street.
Cold Weather Running Advice
The vast majority of people who are in fair physical condition can ride a bicycle or even jog during cool or warm weather. But cold weather brings on a completely different set of situations, most of them hazardous if the individual is not prepared. Running during a training period or getting cycling training in cold weather is OK if the individual takes a few precautions. At the most basic level, a runner or rider heading out in cold weather must dress warmly and protect exposed skin wherever possible. Breathing problems and frostbite are two common problems that can arise because of too little preparation.
What To Do
Something as basic as a scarf around the neck and a handkerchief over the nose and mouth can be enough to bring the runner or rider back home safe and sound. Covering the mouth and nose with a cloth or handkerchief makes a huge difference in the intake of cold air. Extreme cold means that the material should be thicker. Some runners and riders may feel that it isn’t necessary to pay as much attention to water intake in the winter as it is in the summer. But this is a misconception. The body will sweat a bit more because it may be wrapped in more clothing. That alone makes it necessary to stay hydrated. A supply of water should be taken along, even in winter.
For anyone having breathing problems or bronchial irritation due to illness or cold air, it is best to just stay inside until the condition improves. In addition, the runner or someone in cycling training should be more aware of traction problems (feet or tires). Sometimes it is just not a good idea to run when there is ice and snow on the ground. That’s common sense. Trail shoes will help because they have a different sole design than other running and riding shoes. A slower pace may also be necessary. Dress For Cold Weather
Layers of clothing are always the best answer for cold weather. This allows the runner or rider to shed a layer if he or she becomes too warm, or add a layer if necessary. Socks may need to be a bit heavier and a hat should always be worn in cold weather. Most of the body heat lost during exercise goes through the head. The keys are: be in shape to start with; dress warmly; stay dry; use caution. With these things in mind the individual can run or ride year round.
More information about warm cycling clothes and winter bicycle clothing available here.
About the Author:
Adam Peters is the consultant for http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com .Keep reading about
warm cycling clothes and winter bicycle clothing at his web.
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November 21 2008 | bicycle | 1 Comment »