…or are some of the WARMUP rides harder than they should be just to warm up? I did the Warm Up: 25 Minutes today for the first time. At times I was doing far more work that I want to do to get ready for a hard effort. Fortunately, today was just a test to see if it made sense for me to use. NO it is not.
For me, a warmup ride is just to loosen up my legs and hips, with little to no strain on the legs or lungs. It was also a bit long for my preference. If I feel a ride doesn’t have a sufficient warmup built in I like to do Able (14 minutes) or The Women of 24 Hours in The Old Pueblo (12 minutes). Those are easy enough to not be taxing and long enough to prep the legs. If I feel like it, on either of those I might press on the gas for 15 seconds but beyond that, it was to get warm, not heated.
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I think they are about right for a pre-race warm up. They do feel fairly tough but get the blood flowing through the system and the body ready for a hard effort. They are very much based off pro level warmups through so won’t work for everyone and sometimes might feel like a bit too much fatigue. I would use something like Igniter ahead of a 30 minutes Zwift Race but for a longer ride I’d probably do as you suggest or just not bother and easy myself into the ride.
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Yeh, what @colin.ledlie said, for me at least. I have used Igniter if I am planning a long hard effort and, while it feels a bit tough at times, I definitely feel better having done it than not. If I was racing, I would absolutely use something like Igniter prior to the race.
I guess it depends what you’ve got planned. I think the vast majority of workouts in SYSTM have enough of a warmup for its purpose that any more (generally) is overkill.
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@Glen.Coutts I find Igniter far less objectionable than the Warm Up 25 Minutes…FOR ME. Maybe I am missing something but I just don’t want fatigue in a warm up. I guess I am too damn old.
I get it, but I am not a pro. Glad it works for some people.
Bottom line, maybe it is just me!
Yeh, it does say it’s to warm up for the next race or a HIIT session Have you listened to the podcast?
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I’ve only ever done Igniter - which is plenty. Warm Up 25 is a bit more than that so I’m not likely ever to be tempted to try it.
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Igniter for me too, especially before a 10 mile TT. I am an older cyclist (71) and sometimes even that is not enough warm up TBH as often I still struggle the first few miles of the TT then I settle after that. Recharger is also another option to consider.
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Such a great little session. I miss these bite sized podcasts and wish they’d bring them back as they suggested they would.
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Need to bring back Sir Neal, and Jinger, and others to do it right. 
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That’s not likely. But, if Sir @Coach.Mac.C is still here, maybe he could ummm, coach someone else to do it with him 
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