Pounding out miles on the bike trainer through the shorter days of winter can be a real motivational challenge especially after a long day at the office. Hooking the bike up to the trainer, strapping on the heart rate monitor, watching the watt meter and simply turning over the pedals can be a real drag. Three Legs Cycling (3LC) has a series of training DVDs utilizing a different and simpler approach to training that promises a more exciting training experience.
The 3LC series DVDs are designed to help you stay fit, become stronger and stay motivated through the winter, but instead of requiring a host a monitoring devices, they have designed the series behind the philosophy of leg speed. Hook the bike up to the trainer, pop in the DVD and ride. The videos will take you through the workout and during certain intervals, instruct you to increase or decrease your leg speed. Even if you do not have a computer with cadence, simply watch the riders on the video and match their leg speed. If you feel good, put the bike in a harder gear and maintain the same cadence as the riders in the video. The beauty of the video is if you are having a lackluster day, simply put the bike in an easier gear, but match the cadence of the riders. It is that simple – always match the cadence.
httpv://youtu.be/zerYc7yp9Q8
The use of a cadence computer, heart rate monitor, watt meter and/or any other training aids along with these videos is not discouraged by 3LC, in fact they want you to use them if it helps with your workout. These devices can be useful in judging your results of training with these videos, but it is important to remember that cadence is the key to the usefulness of these videos in your training regiment.
Peter Kennaugh Snr, 3LC Director and Head Coach best sums up the program on their website:
“The main aim of our training program is to increase your sustainable threshold, this we believe is the key element that makes you faster in all aspects of cycling. You will enhance your aerobic and anaerobic fitness while improving your specific strength and pedaling technique.”
The 3LC series currently consists of 5 videos, all around an hour in length. The videos include Sprinting, Time Trial, Road Race, Climbing and Ladies Road Race (designed specifically for woman riders). The riders in the videos are on rear wheel or ‘turbo’ trainers, but rollers, a watt bike or a simple exercise bike will work, just as long as resistance can be adjusted as you strength increases. The 3LC Training Series is suitable for athletes of all abilities from pro riders to cyclists new to the sport.
3LC is based in the Isle of Man and if you have watched any professional cycling in the past few years, that part of the world should sound familiar to you. Located between Great Britain and Ireland, the Isle of Man is also the home of the current World Road Race Champion and multiple Tour de France stage winner, Mark Cavendish. He, along with Peter Kennaugh of Team Sky, are featured throughout the DVD series, both on and off the bike providing encouragement and enthusiasm.
httpv://youtu.be/XqjiNmYqdrE
Each of the 3LC videos have a retail price of £24.99 or approximately $40USD and ship from the 3LC office in the Isle of Man. They are currently offering free shipping to all worldwide locations. The DVDs are region free meaning that there should be no issues with these playing in any DVD player. Staying motivated through the winter can be tough, but the 3LC series of DVDs might just make it a little easier.