This is a great workout for developing both climbing ability and also your top-end fitness, enhancing your VO2 Max.
Each Wednesday I’ll post a Windtrainer Workout that you can do in about 60 minutes to enhance your cycling. See a previous post about training intensity (Levels) to know how hard to work. If you are working directly with Coach Ray he will in most cases prescribe either a Power Zone or Heart Rate Zone to work within if you are training with these tools.
Sitting Standing Hill Reps
- 10min Warm Up Level II;
- 7x 3min Hill Rep; 1min Level II RI;
- 3:00min Sitting Level III;
- 2:30min Sitting Level III, 0:30min Standing Level V;
- 2:00min Sitting Level III, 1:00min Standing Level V;
- 1:30min Sitting Level III, 1:30min Standing Level V;
- 1:00min Sitting Level III, 2:00min Standing Level V;
- 0:30min Sitting Level III, 2:30min Standing Level V;
- 3:00min Standing Level V;
- 10min Cool Down Level II;
- 10min Stretching
Start the workout with a Warm Up (WU) of ten minutes of easy riding at Level II.
The main set includes seven reps of three minutes. Each rep is slightly different from the preceding. Start by riding for three minutes staying seated and riding in Level III for the duration of the first rep. After taking a one-minute Rest Interval at Level II, ride the second rep for 2:30min staying seated at Level III before getting up out of the seat for 30 seconds ad riding at Level V to complete the three-minute interval.
With each preceding rep decrease, the amount of time sitting, and riding at Level III by 30 seconds and increase the amount of time riding at Level V, standing up out of your seat by 30 seconds, keeping the overall length of the interval to three minutes. Keep doing this until the last rep which is done full standing at Level V. After each rep ride for one minute at Level II for your Rest Interval (RI), and keep the cadence high (greater than 90 Rpm) throughout.
Finish the ride with ten minutes of riding at Level II for your Cool Down (CD).
To assist with your recovery, do ten minutes of stretching.
If doing this workout on an actual hill, you need to make sure it is long enough that you can climb it fully because in the one-minute recovery you won’t descend back to your start position.
If you would like further advice feel free to contact me.
I am the Head Coach & Director of Qwik Kiwi – Endurance Sports Consultant.
I specialise in assisting first-timers and recreational athletes to achieve their sporting goals. I can be contacted at coachray@coachray.nz and 021 348 729. Make sure you sign up for my informative newsletter.
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Download the Garmin (.FIT) and Zwift (.ZWO) files for this workout for FREE
If you enjoyed this workout, here is a similar session I published 12 months ago.
Wednesday Windtrainer Workout: Set Time, Time Trial
For more great workouts of this nature check out my eBook Top 10 Cycle Workouts From Coach Ray.