How to Make Trainer Season Easier
Daylight savings time has ended, and with that comes the return to indoor training so many cyclists dread. I get it: pedaling in your basement while staring at the wall is a far cry from ripping your favorite trails or roads. But, indoor workouts can be the most efficient training you’ll ever do! Read on for some tips that can help make this trainer season easier.
The current state of indoor cycling is pretty advanced with smart-trainers, connected apps and video-game-like group rides. Those advancements help make indoor training more engaging, but it’s important to remember that workouts can still be executed effectively on older “dumb” trainers and bicycle rollers.
Independent of the specific hardware and software used, I suggest that you do three things when it comes to indoor riding:
Know what you’re doing and why: Whether you’re looking to maintain or build fitness, understanding why you’re doing a specific workout can help you commit to pushing through it.
Remove barriers to execution: I recommend that you have a bike on your trainer, ready to go, all the time. This can be tricky given your available space and equipment budget, but it’s a powerful way to set yourself up for success.
Embrace variety: Do your focused workouts inside, and ALSO incorporate other training modes in your plan. Get outside for aerobic work when you can, and make it social.
The transition to trainer season can feel tough, mentally and physically, and it’s important to acknowledge that. It can be difficult to commit to indoor training when your goal event or favorite rides are months away. On top of that, the first few trainer rides usually feel like an insufferable slog — stick with it until your body and mind get into synch with the transition.
Here are my top five tips for a successful indoor training season:
Schedule your workouts in your daily calendar, and do them at the assigned time. It’s easy to procrastinate doing a trainer workout since you could do it any point… Steer clear of that slippery slope and do your workout in its scheduled slot.
Don’t lose momentum OR valuable training time before your workout: have your training kit, food and hydration prepared ahead of time.
Know exactly what you’re going to do on the trainer before you get on it. Have a specific workout planned, or pick an achievable duration for a ride and stick to it.
Control air-flow and temperature as best you can. Getting too hot can feel lousy, decrease the quality of your workout, and create health risks in extreme cases. A decent fan is mandatory equipment for indoor training, and having access to an open window is even better.
Make the trainer just one part of your whole training plan. Balance those structured, solitary trainer sessions with social hikes, skiing, snowshoeing or lifting weights.
You might not love riding inside, and that’s OK. Give these tips a shot, and try to reframe indoor training as an opportunity, not a chore. Embrace the efficiency and focus of your indoor workouts – they’re a critical part of achieving your goals!