I couldn’t resist sharing my Christmas Cycling Workout with all of you beautiful people. Plus, I’ve had several readers and friends let me know that they’ve repeatedly used some of my other Spin Workouts in a pinch.

Including one friend who pulled up Refined + Rugged on her iPhone and used my Thanksgiving ride as a workout for herself and a  group of friends one fine winter gym day! I couldn’t be more pleased.

Ride on!

This workout is broken into 3 BIG, HEAVY 10 minute hill climbs. The purpose here is definitely not speed. I’ve been reading a lot about indoor training for the outdoor season and it is simply a fact that you don’t need to KILL yourself all through the off-season to see results when the weather clears and you’re back outside.

In fact, putting in some long, low, and slow base miles can really insure that you will be ready for action when race season arrives, and keep you in stellar shape through the winter.

Ride on!

For this ride you will begin with very little resistance. You should add gear after your warm-up, and again before you do the 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off stands.

Then all you need to do is pick one, big, fat, hard gear (resistance level 8 or even 9 if we are referencing resistance levels 1-10. 1 being the least resistance, and 10 being the greatest.)

Once you hit that first hill, HOLD your heavy resistance through the 10 minutes. Plus at minute 4  you will stand for 1 minute, then saddle down for a seated PUSH for 1 minute, stand again for 1 minute, and then finish off the last 3 minutes of your slog, I mean climb.

3 Big 10s Profile

Warm-up 3 minute upper body stretch/spin out your legs

3 minutes of 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off pick-ups

3 minutes of 30 second stand, 30 seconds seated.

10 minute Heavy Resistance climb.

• Stand at 4 minutes for 1 minute, then seated PUSH (like sprint but I can’t say sprint on a resistance that heavy!!!) for 1 minute, then stand for 1 more minute. Finish off your climb for the final 3 minutes.

Flush for 2 minutes.

10 minute Heavy Resistance climb.

• Stand at 4 minutes for 1 minute, then seated PUSH (like sprint but I can’t say sprint on a resistance that heavy!!!) for 1 minute, then stand for 1 more minute. Finish off your climb for the final 3 minutes.

Flush for 2 minutes.

10 minute Heavy Resistance climb.

• Stand after 4 minutes for 1 minute, then seated PUSH (like sprint but I can’t say sprint on a resistance that heavy!!!) for 1 minute, then stand for 1 more minute. Finish off your climb for the final 3 minutes.

Cool down! Way to RIDE!

XX, Megan

(Playlist begins with your warm-up song “Christmas is All Around”, by Billy Mack. Your first big hill begins with “Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 24/24”, by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

*As a musical connoisseur, and someone who believes that music is both an ART and a WORK, I purchase ALL of the music that I listen to and play. I strongly urge you to do the same. I post these playlists so that you can get an idea of the music that rolls along with a great workout, but you can download that music for yourself and give the artist a hand up by purchasing their music!