Question: Indoor trainer or not

[Mark_48]

Does an indoor trainer have any advantages other than using when there is foul weather, are the gains worth the purchase. Advice would be greatly appreciated. :huh:

[Showtime]

Does an indoor trainer have any advantages other than using when there is foul weather, are the gains worth the purchase. Advice would be greatly appreciated. :huh:

 

You need to be VERY motivated to get on one. If you manage that it's very good for interval training from what I read.

[SwissVan]

Yes.

 

You can focus on doing planned efforts without having to worry about road conditions, traffic and other interuptions.

 

No freewheeling or wheel sucking time

 

Can train and listen to music / watch movies etc at the same time

 

Helps you to HTFU

[Mark_48]

Thanks folks, will certainly look into getting one.

[Bianchisti]

60% of my sessions is on IDT and I would keep it that way even if the weather wasn't a factor. Get a coach with some IDT experience to work out your sessions and you won't have a boring minute on it.

[udxcob]

Boring as hell, i can only last about 25 minutes on it, i would rather go out and ride in the rain

['Dale]

I've never used one.

 

I think it's crucial if you live in Europe, where winters are harsh and roads are snowed under.

 

NEGATIVES THAT I'VE HEARD OF

Boredom.

Not as effective and sharp in rolling resistance as on the road.

Rather buy a set of cool training wheels.

[sluiper]

Very boring, but if you're pressed for time or don't like the weather, it's great. I find an hour on the trainer is about equal to 2 hours on the road in terms of effort/gains.

 

Go to http://www.thesufferfest.com/ for some great videos to watch while training.

[walkerr]

Does an indoor trainer have any advantages other than using when there is foul weather, are the gains worth the purchase. Advice would be greatly appreciated. :huh:

 

I prevaricated a ton before getting one - in the end it was time efficiency that swayed me. I get time to do 2 decent 100km training rides a week, but that's about it. The trainer is now setup permanently in spare room with my old road bike on it. I can easily now squeeze in 2 or more extra 45 - 60 min intensive workouts in a week either early AM or in the evenings. The entire time I'm training is effort - no getting there, stopping at lights etc etc. And little wasted time at end aside from quick shower.

 

It's very early days for me using the IDT, so I haven't hit "too bored to bother" status yet. Stocked up on training vids though, and have plenty of pumping music to keep me going too.

 

As others have said, I also like the stats I get out at the end. Currently using an ANT+ stick paired with my regular Garmin HR strap and Garmin speed/cadence sensor. Have been trialling the TrainerRoad site too. I like it a lot, but it's bit too soon to say whether it will be worth the $10/mth long term. May just fall back to watching videos and gathering own stats direct to PC.

 

I'd say if you have the funds and believe you'll use it, go for it.

Edited September 14, 2012 by walkerr

[Red Zone]

If you want to race league or really get to the top of your game an IDT is indispensable. For the average rider, its a waste of time.

[walkerr]

If you want to race league or really get to the top of your game an IDT is indispensable. For the average rider, its a waste of time.

 

I'd respectfully disagree.

 

I am an extremely average rider (you have no idea how average). The IDT is actually my least-wasted-time on a bike in terms of helping me get fitter and stronger. Fun wise, give me a sunny day and pedalling past the vineyards. Training wise, the IDT gets me to the max in a third of the time.

 

Edit - waste of money? That might be closer, depends on your perspective I guess. Certainly not as much fun as buying new bike/wheels/shades/cool gear

Edited September 14, 2012 by walkerr

[Prince]

Boring , boring boring but essential

[Wil6]

I'd respectfully disagree.

 

I am an extremely average rider (you have no idea how average). The IDT is actually my least-wasted-time on a bike in terms of helping me get fitter and stronger. Fun wise, give me a sunny day and pedalling past the vineyards. Training wise, the IDT gets me to the max in a third of the time.

 

Edit - waste of money? That might be closer, depends on your perspective I guess. Certainly not as much fun as buying new bike/wheels/shades/cool gear

Agreed, if I'm on my idt I train as hard as I can for as little time (40 - 50min) as I can and the results I get is better then 1hr on the road.But nothing beats riding your bike like it's meant to be ride but unfortunately in the winter it's not possible in the week.

[kennyg]

the biggest issue I have with the IDT is keeping myself occupied.

 

I did go the power meter route, and is been interesting to watch the HR vs watt, but hell that keeps you busy for 5 mins.

 

Then other issue I have is over heating, sitting pushing interval sprints and climbs with a small fan just does not give the cooling you get on the bike. The major benefits have been on rolling hills, a short sharp climbs, a holding a good pace in the wind on your own.

 

So give me a bike any day. But I do find it helps bring the quality of your training sessions up, as the time lost on either side of the set is minimal. Less worry of mechanical issues, traffic conditions, the *%er in the taxi,etc.

[Swim.Bike.Run]

Rollers are the only way to go, if you're looking at a IDT.

Helps a lot with your riding efficiency and HTFU.

 

As for :

I find an hour on the trainer is about equal to 2 hours on the road in terms of effort/gains.

Sluiper, I would suggest you stop less while riding on the road

Edited September 14, 2012 by Spartan226

[4u2nv]

Yes. You can focus on doing planned efforts without having to worry about road conditions, traffic and other interuptions. No freewheeling or wheel sucking time Can train and listen to music / watch movies etc at the same time Helps you to HTFU

+1000!