30th April 2012

The benefits of a mini exercise bike

Mini exercise bikes are quickly becoming a buzz word in the world of health and fitness, with the advantages being multiple. If you are unsure what the benefits are of owning such a device, then read on as we explore the marvels of a mini exercise bike.

Don’t require much space

Conventional exercise bikes, similar to conventional bikes, are bulky, heavy items which require a lot of space in a home or an office. If you simply don’t have this space, mini exercise bikes can be a great alternative. These clever exercise machines are light and compact and will easily fit inside a cupboard or under the bed, meaning you can discreetly store them without taking up valuable space.

You can burn calories in the luxury of your own home

Instead of having to wait for a dry day, being limited to cycling at times when it is light outside and dangerously competing with cars for road space, with a mini exercise bike you can cycle at your leisure, anytime of the day in the comfort of your own living room.

With a mini exercise bike you will burn the same amount of calories that you would risking life and limb cycling on the road and the same amount as you would burn by pedalling on a bigger stationary exercise bike.

With a mini exercise bike you can also exercise whilst carrying out other tasks, such as being on the telephone, on the computer or watching TV, effectively ‘killing two birds with one stone!’

(more…)

28th February 2012

The Mio Cyclo 305 – At last a Sat Nav for cyclists!

From being in constant fear of being run off the road by irate truck drivers, to suddenly finding a cycle lane has abruptly finished, cyclists certainly seem to be on the lowest rung of the road domination ladder!

When therefore, personal navigation specialists Mio announce the launch of a sat nav for cyclists, bicycle riders around the world should rejoice and see the arrival as a step forward in their race to be considered a worthy contender of the road!

These nifty devices fit inconspicuously on the bike frame and comprise of large buttons that can be easily controlled without the expense of having to slow down or, worse still, dismount your bike!

And, being waterproof, shock-resistant, and having a three-inch anti-glare screen, cyclists can rely on their Mio Cyclo 305 sat nav regardless of weather conditions and whether it will fail to function properly if they happen to take a tumble from their bike.

Coming equipped with pre-installed maps from leading digital map makers, TeleAtlas, cyclists can plan their routes with the Cyclo 305.

One novel feature of this  is a “surprise me” option, which basically takes cyclists on a magical mystery tour down country lanes, through cows fields and paths so narrow only bikes can fit down them, until they eventually reach their chosen destination.

Using Mio’s desktop software, cyclists can even share information such as location, time, distance, speed and number of calories consumed with other Mio-using cyclists.

(more…)

20th December 2011

Three Cycling food tips

Before, during and after – Three Cycling food tips to make your ride the best ever.

If you’re going to spend a gruelling eight hours in the saddle, you’re going to need some energy in the form of food to keep you going and help you perform at your optimum ability. Without wanting to dismount your bike and eat a three course meal, we’ve compiled three Cycling food tips on what to eat to make the most of your time before, during and after your ride.

Before the ride

Approximately one hour before you go out on your ride it is important that you eat a nutritious snack that is high in energy but won’t ‘weigh you down’. Eating anything later than this may result in you feeling sluggish, contracting a stitch and not riding at your best. We recommend that you eat a Weetabix with chopped banana and semi-skimmed milk. Bananas are a fantastic pre-training snack as they contain high levels of potassium which helps to keep stiches at bay, as well as being an easily digestible carb that provides the body with a slow release of energy. Weetabix is a great source of magnesium, niacin, thiamine and B vitamins, which will also give you energy.

During the ride

Carrying a bag of soft sweets, such as jelly babies, with you is a great way to have an instant energy fix while still ‘on the go’. It is also sensible to carry a couple of bananas with you when you go on a long distance ride to help maintain energy levels.

After the ride

(more…)

2nd December 2011

An interview with Steve Harrison

Trion Z is honoured to talk to Steve Harrison, a former member of the British Cycling National Team and British Olympic Association Squad, who is now National Lead Tutor at Premier Training International.

Here’s our interview with Steve Harrison, the Premier Diploma graduate, who has extensive experience and expertise in the field of fitness, nutrition and performance, talks career highlights, nutritional advise and magnetic therapy…

At what age did you become interested in sports, fitness and nutrition?

I had a keen interest in football by the age of seven or eight. After injury hindered my future as a professional cyclist, I trained to become a personal trainer at the age of 18.

You have a background in elite sports training and conditioning. What differentiates ‘conventional’ sports training and conditioning with ‘elite’ sports training and conditioning?

Conventional training is more about body adaption than performance i.e. people want to change what they look like rather than enhance their performance. Elite training is higher intensity and performance orientated. Conventional training might last, on average, for three hours a week whereas an elite athlete could train for 6 hours a day.

When did you set up your own personal training company and has it managed to ‘survive’ through the recession, in other words, during times of financial hardship are people still turning to personal trainers to get them fit?

I’ve had my own freelance PT company since I’ve been 18 but it’s never been huge because I’ve focussed on other areas.

You hold a variety of fitness class and therapy qualifications. What are your thoughts on magnetic therapy as a method to help cure sports injuries and generally increase wellbeing? Have you ever used magnetic therapy?

I personally haven’t used magnetic therapy enough to form a personal opinion but I know people (friends and clients) who have and have said that they have felt like it has increased their stability and they’ve become more stable in their movement patterns.

(more…)

30th September 2011

UK Bike Competition – Win a Trion:Z Raleigh SP Road Bike – Worth £1,999.99

A very special one off road bike has been produced to celebrate the support given by Trion:Z to the British Cycling Team, Team Raleigh.

The Trion:Z and Raleigh branded SP Race Road Bike received 5 * reviews by Bikerradar. It looks the business with its White Carbon Frame and weighs in at only 8.18 kg.

Performance is not in doubt here, with Shimano Ultegra Transmission. This is one road bike that will turn heads!

And you stand a chance to win it! Valued at £1999.99, this has to be the best UK bike competition around right now.

The UK bike competition comes with easy entry. Either go to the Trion:Z website or to the Trion:Z Facebook page where you can enter once you have liked Trion:Z.

The winner will be drawn at random on 16^th October 2011. No purchase necessary and the competition is free to enter for over 16 year olds.

You can see this awesome UK bike competition prize right now at the Cycle Show, NEC until 2^nd October at Stand CSC10.

They will also be selling their award winning product range of Dual Loop and Active Wristbands, Necklaces and Body Supports all at exclusive Cycle Show prices.