Homebrewtalk Peloton

[betarhoalphadelta]

It's a bit strange, for us I think only one completely covered (no charge from Peloton comes my way) membership per family, and it wouldn't cover the all access membership that I believe one needs if they get a bike, tread, or row. They do offer a discount to that all access membership through insurance, but one would still need to shell out some portion of that membership on their own.

If they'd completely cover an all access membership, I might almost consider some piece of equipment from them.

Well, depending on how much you care about metrics and badges, you could share everyone on one app membership.

They also have the Peloton Guide now, which I'm not sure I see the benefit of, but apparently can help with movement/rep tracking for strength workouts and such... It's pretty cheap ($199) and apparently a Guide membership is only $24/mo, but can support a full household on one account. If they cover the Guide membership it wouldn't take too long to recoup the cost of the Guide and wouldn't be as expensive as buying a full-on bike, tread, or row.

Did you end up doing any MTB yet? I mountain bike some, I don't find it to be very difficult physically, although mentally it is quite challenging. I just hate having to ride or drive to the trail, so unless I'm going with other people I stick to the road or bike trails.

I didn't yet. But I actually played golf with my next door neighbor (plus two of my normal buddies, both of whom MTB). The subject came up and my neighbor does MTB, so we're at least talking about it.

 

[Rodent]

cycled one of Kendall's 20-minute metal classes today and it totally kicked my butt. had difficulties keeping up with cadence for at least a third of the time, but was able to meet or exceed the suggested resistance for the entire class.

planning a 30 or 45 minute low impact type ride tomorrow, then taking a day off from cycling. considering a 3-day cycling routine schedule

1 - 30 min medium difficult ride, stretching
2 - 10 min warm up + 10 min HIIT + 5 min cool down, stretching
3 - 30 or 45 min low impact ride, stretching
4 - no cycling, longer stretching time
back to day 1 on the routine

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

cycled one of Kendall's 20-minute metal classes today and it totally kicked my butt. had difficulties keeping up with cadence for at least a third of the time, but was able to meet or exceed the suggested resistance for the entire class.

planning a 30 or 45 minute low impact type ride tomorrow, then taking a day off from cycling. considering a 3-day cycling routine schedule

1 - 30 min medium difficult ride, stretching
2 - 10 min warm up + 10 min HIIT + 5 min cool down, stretching
3 - 30 or 45 min low impact ride, stretching
4 - no cycling, longer stretching time
back to day 1 on the routine

Kendall can be tough. Kendall w/ metal classes is diabolical. She's got a 45 minute Metallica ride that I'm gonna try someday, but I'm worried it might kill me lol.

Have you considered Power Zone? It's good in that you can take classes that are suited exactly to your current fitness level. It may sound intimidating (it did to me, which is why I didn't start until after 100 rides, and now I wish I'd done it sooner), but outside of the FTP test, it's actually not intimidating at all. A PZE ride is basically a low impact ride but perfectly tailored to your own fitness. The PZ rides are harder than PZE, but nowhere as hard as rides that I've made a PR. So once you get through the FTP, it's nice to know that every ride is going to be indexed to you. And you can actually skip the FTP if you want (especially the first time around), by manually entering your average watts from your 20-minute PR into the FTP field in your profile.

That said, I think you've got a good thought on schedule. I personally don't tie myself to a hard schedule for rides, but it's common for me to ride 3 days in a row (sometimes it's 2 or 4) before taking a rest day. And with golf it becomes 2 rest days (at least as far as the bike is concerned). Often when I come back I'll take a harder ride the first day off rest, and then on the following days do some PZE or lighter rides. This week has been a bit thrown off with work schedule stuff tho.

 

[Rodent]

I'll look into the PZ content. I remember starting to look into it several weeks back but got distracted with work and have forgotten to go back.

 

[Dland]

@Dland that sounds pretty awesome! Would love to see some pics!

And when it comes to exercise, swimming is FAR more efficient than cycling anyway. While being full-body and low-impact.

Here it is, in its decrepit

but functional glory.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

I'll look into the PZ content. I remember starting to look into it several weeks back but got distracted with work and have forgotten to go back.

If you have any questions on it, let me know.

 

[Rodent]

If you have any questions on it, let me know.

took my two PZ Week 1 Day 1 rides today (Intro ride + 1st regular course ride)

I used my PR of 219 from last week's 20-minute Metal ride for the Zone number. Took a while to get used to manually adjusting resistance, but it's easy enough to do. Fairly easy to follow along in working to the called out cadence + target zone (not so easy to maintain Zone 4 for 90 seconds at 100 RMP)

Thanks for the tip on this - it's going to be a great addition to my fitness growth

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

took my two PZ Week 1 Day 1 rides today (Intro ride + 1st regular course ride)

I used my PR of 219 from last week's 20-minute Metal ride for the Zone number. Took a while to get used to manually adjusting resistance, but it's easy enough to do. Fairly easy to follow along in working to the called out cadence + target zone (not so easy to maintain Zone 4 for 90 seconds at 100 RMP)

Thanks for the tip on this - it's going to be a great addition to my fitness growth

BTW it won't matter much since the DYPZ program will have you do the FTP test on day 3, but if you used the output number in kJ of 219 instead of the average watts from that ride, you probably have your zones set too high. That Z4 effort you thought you were doing might have been Z5 or even Z6.

I.e. my 20 min PR is my FTP test, which was output of 343 kJ, but that was average watts of 286 W, and the FTP number is further set 5% lower than that, so mine is 272.

 

[Rodent]

BTW it won't matter much since the DYPZ program will have you do the FTP test on day 3, but if you used the output number in kJ of 219 instead of the average watts from that ride, you probably have your zones set too high. That Z4 effort you thought you were doing might have been Z5 or even Z6.

I.e. my 20 min PR is my FTP test, which was output of 343 kJ, but that was average watts of 286 W, and the FTP number is further set 5% lower than that, so mine is 272.

this is great news, as there's no way I can 'hold that Zone 3 for an hour' with my currently input FTP number. it'll be fun to see what the test reveals and how far off on the high side I was

 

[Rodent]

looked at my meeting schedule this week to see I'm going to be challenged to fit workout in before work, and couple that with DST starting today I'll be that much less inclined to get up even earlier for a workout. I decided to take the FTP test today vs waiting a day like the schedule suggests ...

Result was a meager 166 and far from the 219 I had manually set previously. I was starting to have a bit of cramping in my right leg, so couldn't push as much as I would have otherwise those final two minutes. I still increased a bit, but left the test at a 95% of where I think I could have been without the cramping.

Encouraged I didn't attempt this test back in Nov, as I don't really want to know just how bad I was. it's going to be good to see how far I can gain in the coming weeks

 

[Kent88]

While all y'all were talking in coded acronyms I got in touch with customer service. It appears I successfully activated my code through my health insurance and should not be directly billed for the service for a little over a year. It was slightly less annoying this time, and took probably a quarter of the time it took me to sign up in the first place, but was still too long.

So, I guess I'm sticking around for a while.

Not really sure if I was going to actually pay full price for it. Depending on whether this benefit resets every year, we may never know.

 

[Rodent]

Excellent news on both the cost being covered and you hanging around Kent!

 

[Kent88]

Well I feel silly. There are strength upper body warm up videos. I think I'll check out a couple of those, and if I find one I like I'll stack one with arms & intervals rides so I get credit for a strength exercise on days where I do an arms & intervals ride. If the one I tried this morning is any indication, it's not like the warm ups are exhausting enough that I feel like I need to be credited for those anyway.

 

[Rodent]

Took my first post FTP test Power Zone session that utilized my adjusted zone number (see earlier post) The activity level aligned well to the target zones being called out, and the physical response was also closely aligned. Definitely not a difficult workout today, but the first time I'm working on longer endurance type engagement.

I recognize this is meaningless drivel for those without a Peloton Bike/Bike+, so apologies. Tomorrow it's back to arms & upper body strength while I give my legs a day off.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

While all y'all were talking in coded acronyms I got in touch with customer service. It appears I successfully activated my code through my health insurance and should not be directly billed for the service for a little over a year. It was slightly less annoying this time, and took probably a quarter of the time it took me to sign up in the first place, but was still too long.

So, I guess I'm sticking around for a while.

Not really sure if I was going to actually pay full price for it. Depending on whether this benefit resets every year, we may never know.

Took my first post FTP test Power Zone session that utilized my adjusted zone number (see earlier post) The activity level aligned well to the target zones being called out, and the physical response was also closely aligned. Definitely not a difficult workout today, but the first time I'm working on longer endurance type engagement.

I recognize this is meaningless drivel for those without a Peloton Bike/Bike+, so apologies. Tomorrow it's back to arms & upper body strength while I give my legs a day off.

Yeah, that's what I love about PZE. I can do a longer class and get a more effective workout, but I know it's never programmed to exhaust me.

Yesterday I did one of Christine's new PZE classes that's 60 minutes, and the entirety of it after the warmup was zone 2. It was my 4th day riding in a row, and I really wanted to ride (going to be hit or miss all the rest of this week due to golf and travel), so I knew that even though it was going to be 60 minutes, it was something I could handle because it was all Z2.

 

[Kent88]

 

[Rodent]

Power Zone Week 1 classes complete. Getting settled in on finding my way to a resistance+cadence freedom to work in a specific zone. (ex: I find it quite easy to spin at 85rpm, so adjust the resistance to a place where I'm generating an output within the range defined as Zone 3. when the next activity is defined as hold your cadence but work in Zone 4, increase resistance until the output is within the Zone 4 range)

I like that the Zone ranges are individual and based on the 20 minute endurance test. My current Zone 2 can change as my fitness increases (as proven by retaking the 20 min endurance test) so the workout will always be tailored to my capabilities and not just a generic range.

The only downside I see is that I'm also using this as a weight loss enabler. While my endurance is increasing with improved fitness, the pace of weight loss has decreased due to me taking less higher intensity classes during the week. I suspect this will be a wash in the long play, but I need to adjust my weight loss perspective in the short play to keep mentally in it at the lower loss pace.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

@Rodent If you can fit it in the schedule, once the program ends, try to take more of the longer-duration PZE classes. That helps build the cardio base for all workouts, but with the longer duration of the classes you get great calorie burn even though the exertion level is lower per minute. I.e. my 30 minute PR which was hardcore says I burned 585 cal. The 60 minute PZE that was entirely Z2 says I burned 891 cal. And I got off that 60 minute class thinking I could do another 30 if I wanted.

We're up in Paso Robles and I decided to take an app class on the hotel spin bike. That was NOT the same experience. Part of it was that I was on a janky bike that sucked, didn't know my seat settings, the seat sucked, etc. But I'd definitely say having the Peloton equipment is a completely different [and better] experience.

 

[Kent88]

Traveled a bit this past week. Messed up my back a little, but I'm planning on getting back on the stationary bike today. Hopefully tomorrow I can get the dumbbells out.

 

[Rodent]

yesterday was my legs day off while I climbed up/down a ladder applying a horticultural oil to the cherry orchard. took about 2 hours to complete the job, and then off to haul all the prunings from a couple weeks back over to the burn pit and manage that fire for a couple hours. I lost just over 2.5 pounds from my morning weigh-in pre-breakfast until after a light upper body workout later yesterday evening. should have had my steps meter running, because I did enough that my legs were fried.

all that to say that it was super tempting to skip today's leg day, but I pushed on with the scheduled PZ session (30 minute Zone 4 endurance workout) and found it was 85% mental challenge with my legs ready to ride once I got my head aligned with the work to be done. definitely got me loosened up to get back outside today and maybe visit one of the local parks along the river

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

Walked 5.6 mi on the [very short] golf course today so no riding or strength planned. Will do a stretch here shortly to keep the streak going, but riding and weights will wait for tomorrow.

Wondering if I should go all out and do my FTP again. It's been over 3 months now. I think I'll be up for it.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

Holy hell... Retook the FTP today since the first time was Dec 1. It was everything I've dreaded and procrastinated from doing again. I ded.

On the bright side I boosted my 20 minute PR from 343 to 359 kJ, and my FTP from 272 to 284 W.

I was going to make today the start of another week of Ben's 5-day split but... No. Not happening.

 

[Rodent]

Excellent work @betarhoalphadelta

 

[Rodent]

I took a couple laps around the homestead during lunch break and opted to include the access road down to the riverside. it's an elevation drop of around 50 feet (maybe more) over about 100 yards. steep enough that I used to take a 45-90 second stop about 2/3 the way up to catch my breath before finishing the climb. today I was not only able to make the climb out without a stop midway up, but I was able to ascend the climb at the same brisk pace that I lapped the reasonably level property and continue the pace without a stop before finishing my laps. that's huge for me, and achieving a goal I set back in Nov to be able to ascend up from the river without taking a break.

the work on the bike is paying off out in the real world

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

I took a couple laps around the homestead during lunch break and opted to include the access road down to the riverside. it's an elevation drop of around 50 feet (maybe more) over about 100 yards. steep enough that I used to take a 45-90 second stop about 2/3 the way up to catch my breath before finishing the climb. today I was not only able to make the climb out without a stop midway up, but I was able to ascend the climb at the same brisk pace that I lapped the reasonably level property and continue the pace without a stop before finishing my laps. that's huge for me, and achieving a goal I set back in Nov to be able to ascend up from the river without taking a break.

the work on the bike is paying off out in the real world

Way to go!

I remember a hike I did way back in 2015 when I had just gotten into it, and it was a HUGE climb that I just stopped halfway through, took my shirt off and put it over my head to shield me from the sun, and waited it out until I could keep going again. Then a couple months later I did the same climb with my crazy cycling buddy, and although I couldn't exactly keep up with him, I could at least get to the top without stopping. It was a HUGE mental win.

So good for you! Keep up the good work and you'll continue to see things that you used to think were tough (or not possible) open up right before you...

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

@Rodent You're killing it on the March cycling challenge! Good work!

 

[Rodent]

@Rodent You're killing it on the March cycling challenge! Good work!

Thank you

Made the commitment today to get up extra early and get my PZ ride in vs taking the easy out and putting it off to another day. Had customer meetings (video calls) kicking off at 7A local and running back-back non-stop until 4P today. no way I was fitting in a ride any other way.

I learned something in the process today: my brain is numb enough with the early up + no coffee that I wasn't a clock watcher on the 45 minute ride. Last night I was thinking it would kill me extending my typ ride time by 50% (45 min vs 30 min) but the 45 minutes were up before I was fully awake and thinking about getting up at 5:30A to hop on a bike and spin pedals. I'm not going to repeat it tomorrow, but good to know it can be done when one wants to accomplish the work.

Dennis had some great 'how stuff works' info during the session (building up glycogen reserves during extended endurance work) that made sense, challenging me to push harder so I can up myself to take on more 45 minute rides over then coming couple months


and if people's profiles are truthfully accurate ... I was passed and left in the dust by a guy in his 70s who pedaled to finish with a workout number about 50% higher than mine. Yea: it's possible to get in shape and keep it well into the sunset years. Ugh: I was left in the dust by a guy in his 70s (not that there's anything wrong with that)

 

[Kent88]

Had the house to myself for the weekend, so I tried a couple different workouts I wouldn't normally get to do.

One had a music theme going, but I wanted to go for a longer ride and see how a 2-for-1 works. It was also a little longer ride, which felt good because I knew I wouldn't be interrupted by screaming kids. I also wanted to get an arms workout in, so tonight I started with an upper body warmup with a trainer/instructor who went at a pace that was just a bit more than I was prepared for. Followed that up with a 45minute arms&intervals, and just so I'm done for today as well (rode through midnight) I ended with a 5-minute cooldown. I definitely perspired, but I don't feel terrible. I guess I could've pushed myself a bit more.

Wish I had focused on ticking a few more items off my to-do list so I could also try something different again before everyone gets back. Oh well.

 

[Rodent]

@Kent88 way to make the most of an opportunity!

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

Good stuff!

Decided to take it easy today, so the only exercise I logged was a 4.6 mi walk with the dog

Which got me above 4K minutes!