Spinervals Competition 3.0 - Suffer-O-Rama

Troy Jacobson
Year Released: 1999

Categories: Indoor Cycling


I first heard about this video through threads here on VF. I believe this is the first tape I've ever done that was geared specifically for athletes. There is nothing "mamby-pamby" about it. The coach expects and encourages you to go hard. This is a bike video with intervals of race pace and recoverys with different durations throughout the (about)41 minute training session. It beats Johnny G. by far in intensity.It's much more direct hard-core training and less mind-body then J.G. The participants are ALL triathletes and are all on "trainers" (actual bikes hooked up to a piece of equipment so they become stationary)not Spin bikes. This could be a little confusing because the instructor cues which gear you are to be in. I managed just fine on my spin bike. I also reccomend you wear a heartrate monitor. He asks you to work at 100%, and at one point 110% effort. I can only say I hope he is talking about "giving it your all", and not you heart rate (110% HR? Yikes). The participants work extremely hard, are dripping with sweat, and look like the real deal- athletes. Sometimes during the recovery watching them bugged me a little- not sure why. The screen has a count down timer on it and the coach does a good job at keeping time for your intervals as well. He is motivating. Overall, I really loved the tape. The workout was effective, and I'll probably never trade this one.

Instructor Comments:
He is an authentic athlete and coach and clearly knows what he is doing.

Nicole Gunning

03/01/2003