I never realized how much fun losing weight could be until I started using them. I confess that during the winter months I tend to go “Bear”; In other words, I usually like to sleep a lot and just act lazy. The summer months, on the other hand, are quite different. I will take long bike rides and by doing so I will try to turn off the problems of the world.
A friend of mine recently recommended a device I could use that would allow me to ride my bike indoors, adding that “it’s also not the kind of stationary bike you may be thinking of.” OK, I was intrigued to say the least, so I researched what “Rollers” were and discovered that they could be used as a new spin on exercise weight loss.
inline skates 101
So I did some research on what rollers were, and to be honest, they actually seemed pretty simple. There are different types available, but they all do the same thing. The unit comes with 3 drums (usually pvc or aluminum), two of which are placed between the rear tire and then the third which is used to drive the front wheel. The rear drums (i.e. the rollers) are attached to the front one by some sort of strap.
What do you do with them
The idea with the rollers is that through pedaling you drive the rear tire which is in contact with the rear rollers which are in contact with the front rollers which in turn spin the front tire. Believe me, it’s more complicated to explain than just using them. Since the front tire rotates, you are now in control of the bike and can literally ride as you would if you were on the road.
hard at first
The hardest part of using trainers is getting on the bike and then starting to pedal. There are hundreds of videos online showing “newbie” reel users trying to get started and get their balance initially. They make great videos because they usually involve some kind of glitch; fun but not so dangerous. If it goes off the rollers, the tires stop immediately and the rider will tend to fall off (unlike on the road, ouch).
Pretend you’re in the way
If you can ride a bike, then you can ride these. My suggestion for first timers is to place them between a door or next to something you can grab for balance. Get on your bike and then sit on it while holding yourself upright using the wall (or whatever else you’re using for balance). Place your feet on the pedals and place one of your hands on the front bars while holding on with the other. Now the fun begins.
Slowly begin to turn the pedals and focus on keeping the front wheel as straight as possible.
The faster you pedal, the easier it will be to keep your balance (just like on the road). Now slowly remove your other hand from the wall and place it on the bars. You are now riding skates.
While driving, try to focus your attention in front of you and try not to look down too much. I have found that looking straight ahead gives you much better balance than constantly looking at how your wheels are doing. As your balance improves, you should experiment with shifting gears and noticing how speed affects your balance while driving. When you get really good at it, you can even get up out of your seat and try pedaling like you’re going uphill.
Your bike skills will improve tremendously
If you regularly ride your roller bike during the winter, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to ride on the road. Besides being fun, riding these is also a great way to lose weight while exercising. I know it has worked wonders for me.