Help with kickstarting fitness before serious cycling training

[GirlWithTheMouseyHair]

I'm doing a charity bike ride next summer, 545miles in 6 days, San Francisco to LA, the only vague exercise i've ever done is walk lots pushing a buggy and used to cycle commute in London.

Gave birth to dc2 7months ago, self confessed couch potato and seriously shitting myself. Need to up my fitness levels before the group and team training begins in earnest in November.

Joined YMCA where they have child care, so I can do various classes or use the pool or equipment. What's he best away of building my fitness before doing this very specific training, apart from obviously just getting on my bike

spin classes and body pump follow each of the classes with a swim to stretch of afterwards (though you should stretch well at the end of each class and body pump inbetween weights.

I would start with spin class and then wait a day and do pump, then wait a day and do another spin. Aim to be doing 4 spin and two pump a week by the end of august.

Then I would start heading out on a bike in between spin classes so you get some longer training in two hours on a bike and then three and four hours

What's a body pump??

Thanks for the advice!

Hi Mousey

Have you thought of getting a turbo trainer so you can get some miles in on the bike even if you can't get out of the house?

Depending how much cash you have, you can get ones that you can program to do a phased workout. Cheaper ones have a static resistance but you can make your own program by changing gear.

Try to find local friendly rides, CTC or another club. You'll be a lot more motivated if you can find a way to make the training fun.

I have training sorted and starting in November specifically geared towards the ride, with my team, terrifying in itself, just need to get my fitness up a bit as its currently on zero!

Core exercises (crunches, sit-ups etc) to provide stability. Also stretching hamstrings, quads etc to maintain/increase flexibility

How exciting GWTMH!

Have you done anything like this before? Do you know anyone who would train with you, or more than one person? Maybe you could get some advice from the staff in the gym - you probably need a programme that builds up strength and stamina rather than rushing into a heavy exercise programme from zero IYSWIM!

I guess the staff at the YMCA could help, and the charity organises training rides so they might have some advice