As a cyclist, you can either hate the winter, or make the best of it. Some bundle up and dress to embrace the winter chill while others opt for the dreaded trainer. Yet, why do so many cyclist dread the trainer?
Maybe it’s not having the right equipment. Could it be boredom? Or, perhaps it is a lack of discipline. There are ways to combat all three and make the trainer work for you. Here’s how!
Equipment
Having the right equipment can make your indoor workouts less boring and more effective. When we’re talking about equipment, sure, we mean having your road bike on the trainer, but we’re also talking about having a fan, a trainer tire, a riser block, a sweat towel, a trainer mat, indoor riding clothes, a cadence sensor, a power meter, and a heart rate monitor. You might not think all of these cycling accessories add up to a great trainer workout, but according to the post, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Trainer, it can make all the difference in the world.
Boredom
Sometimes seeing is believing! Visual effects can have a powerful role in motivation. Pop in a DVD training video or select a few YouTube clips to get your mind in the game. Posters, a vision board, books, maps, or pictures of upcoming races can trigger your motivation to not only get on the bike, but maybe even dig a little deeper than you would have otherwise.
A growing and popular option is Cadence TV. It offers the flexibility to log on at any time from any computer that is connected to the internet. You can choose from hundreds of workouts in all different categories. Up pops the workout with your specific Power, HR and PE zones listed. You can see what interval you are doing now, how much time is left in the interval and what is coming up. Using Cadence TV makes it easy because you can just follow what’s on the screen. The best part? At $4/month you can’t beat the price.
Discipline
Create a supportive environment that supports your goals. Is there a time of day that works best for you? Then, schedule your trainer training time then. Your primary objective in creating a support structure is to foster an environment in which you are supported and held accountable.
One way to do this is to avoid long rides on the trainer all together. Year round strength training for cyclists matters and substituting your indoor rides with strength training will do more for your cycling later on in the season than doing another trainer session. In fact, a one hour hard trainer workout will do more to improve your cycling and race fitness than 2 to 4 hours easy on the trainer. So, plan your time on the trainer accordingly.
Indoor rides are not a replacement for outdoor rides but with the right equipment and a little planning, indoor rides can be fun and beneficial.
Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com Blog 
[…] likes riding the trainer much less riding it for consecutive days in a row, but there are ways to overcome trainer woes to eliminate boredom and support your training. Read the post here for ideas on the best […]
[…] Fatboy offers unparalleled performance in snow, ice and otherwise nasty conditions. Get off your trainer and on to a Fatboy bike. Take a […]
[…] be covered in snow and the roads less scenic than the Summertime, have no fear of the trainer. Don’t be a hater! There are means to overcoming trainer woes to keep activity […]
[…] Instead, schedule your workouts inside on the trainer. Before you groan, read our posts Don’t Be a Hater! Overcoming Trainer Woes for great suggestions on making trainer workouts work for you. Additionally, shared in the […]
[…] likes riding the trainer much less riding it for consecutive days in a row, but there are ways to overcome trainer woes to eliminate boredom and support your training. Try different approaches, times of day, and […]