My favorite training tool

I wanted to share my favorite training tool with you because it has helped me immensely with my running and with all aspects of fitness.

It is non-traumatic, non-weight-bearing, totally user dependent in terms of intensity and very friendly on joints, time constraints, etc.

My favorite training tool is the old fashioned Schwinn Airdyne bike that has been around in various forms for decades.

The big thing that makes it so useful is the very thing that makes it different from spin bikes and other stationary bikes: the arm action.

I have found that at 50 years old I need to get my heart rate up to about 170 beats a minute and keep it there for a few moments in order to get the benefit of interval training. Interval training is absolutely critical for anyone who wants to run faster and better. These days it has experienced a renaissance because of some savvy internet marketers and of course for its superior fat burning capabilities. All of that, including my specific routine, will be in my upcoming books but for now just be aware of these facts.

1) Interval training has been around forever. There is nothing revolutionary about it and you can call it aftershock or turbulent or any other term you want to call it but the basics are the same as what high school coaches have been telling their pupils for decades in the form of wind sprints.

2) Interval training will burn more fat than any other kind of training with less trauma.

3) Interval training will not feel good at first but as you improve your fitness levels (about 6 sessions) you will come to love it so hang in there!

4) I love the Airdyne because the arm action allows more calories, more intensity and more load on my body without a whole lot of increased perceived exertion. Much like pole running you burn more calories but you don't "feel" it.

5) This type of training, especially with the Airdyne, allows you to crank up your heart rate without the local lactate accumulations you'd get from things like a studio cycle or Versa Climber, both of which, while phenomenal, limit your actually heart rate due to this local accumulation of lactate.

Now if you read between the lines you can see how local lactate accumulation would also be a great way to train. You can always use the Airdyne for this by locking the arms in the stationary position and using just the cycling portion for short super intense intervals as well as longer "burn" type of lactate thresholds.

The other thing is, when you are injured, the low impact of this tool allows you to stay fit cardiopulmonary wise without aggravating injuries… or causing them for that matter.

These days the Airdyne runs about $550 new but you can find older versions on eBay for less, although shipping is usually a consideration.

There are few tools so versatile for the runner or any athlete for that matter.

If you need to train for high level (not high latitude, mind you) sports but do not tolerate a lot of pounding, the Airdyne is the way to go!