Let’s face it — rain, wind, or early dark evenings can kill your outdoor rides faster than you can say “saddle sore.” Enter indoor training hardware, the trusty sidekick to keep your legs turning and motivation high when the weather’s rubbish. But with so many smart trainers, apps, and gadgets on the market, where do you start? Here’s the lowdown on what you need to know.
A smart trainer is basically your bike’s new best friend indoors. Instead of just spinning your wheels, these clever devices can simulate climbs, control resistance, and even connect to apps like Zwift or TrainerRoad. Fancy racing your mates virtually or crushing a mountain climb without leaving your living room? Smart trainers make it happen.
What’s a Smart Trainer Anyway?
There are two main types:
a) Wheel-on trainers: You attach your rear wheel directly to the trainer. Easy setup but sometimes a bit noisier and less precise.
b) Direct drive trainers: You ditch your rear wheel and mount your bike straight onto the trainer’s cassette. Smoother, quieter, and more accurate but usually pricier.
There are, of course, basic rollers as well. Those relics of ancient indoor training times are still hughely popular among ambitious amateurs warming up for their Sunday crit – but they have one unlicky disadvantage: You have to focus on keeping the balance. Praised as “road feel” by cyclist who enjoy regular sleeping times, every parent knows it’s hard enought the get the muscles working, so why bother with balancing?
Why Go Smart?
If you’re serious about training, a smart trainer’s worth every penny. It talks to training software via Bluetooth or ANT+, adjusting resistance automatically based on the virtual terrain or workout intensity. No more fiddling with knobs mid-ride — just pedal and enjoy the ride.
Plus, many smart trainers measure your power output (watts), cadence, and sometimes even pedal balance. Perfect for tracking progress and smashing your personal bests. In a nutshell: Smart trainers are the fast lane to real evolution on the bike, especially for cyclist with a limited time budget – does that ring a bell?
(In fact, almost any indoor training software has intervall sessions as short as 20 minutes in store – so you can even push your limits when the kid enjoys the newest dinosaur book on the toilet for the usual half hour.)
Indoor Training Software
The software is where the magic happens. Here are some crowd favourites (in-depth reviews follow shortly):
• Zwift: A popular choice that has ties with pro-racing. Race, train, or explore stunning virtual worlds. It’s social, competitive, and fun.
• TrainerRoad: If you want structured training plans designed by coaches, this is your go-to. No frills, just serious improvements.
• Rouvy: For those who love realistic video routes and augmented reality. Feel like you’re actually cycling the Alps or the Dolomites.
• Bkool: Offers a mix of videos and interactive routes with online competition.
• MyWhoosh: A serious Zwift contender with free-to-use, immersive training worlds, races, and real-time multiplayer action. Great if you want fun without the subscription fees. Plus: Some serious prize money.
Must-Have Accessories for Indoor Training
Training indoors can be a bit… sweaty. Here are some extras that make life easier:
• Training mat: Protect your floor from sweat and keep your trainer stable.
• Fan: You won’t last long without airflow — indoor riding turns you into a sweat machine.
• Heart rate monitor: Pair it with your smart trainer for better training insights.
• Cadence sensor: If your trainer doesn’t include one, this helps track your pedal strokes per minute.
• Bike trainer tyre: If you’re using a wheel-on trainer, a special tyre reduces noise and wear.
• Cooling gear (in depth-review coming soon): Get your body temperature low and your power output up with real cool apparel (pun intended!)
