Indoor cycling used to be something for only the serious rider or hardened pro, the ones who needed to train even when the weather was at its worst, making it impossible to pedal outside. Fewer training aids and no apps meant those who chose to ride indoors had to have some pretty in-depth training knowledge, or be willing and able to fork out relatively large amounts of cash for a coach. Being able to analyse power and other ride data was essential for planning and performing effective training blocks based on current fitness, in order to achieve future goals and get ready for upcoming events or races.
These days, not knowing everything there is to know about training shouldn’t put you off. Not keen on the idea of doing hours of research, and then putting it to use planning a strict schedule? Simply open Zwift, choose a training plan and get riding; outputs will be measured from your trainer, and sessions will be adapted to your goals.
Many companies now offer completely tailored one-to-one training programmes from qualified coaches, aimed specifically at cycling indoors. If you are looking to take things one step further or feel you need someone else to tell you what to do, then this is the way forward. However there are so many apps and programmes to help you train efficiently that this is not really necessary for the majority.
The boom in indoor cycling and the COVID-19 effect
Massive advances in technology have brought about a boom in indoor cycling, be that on a turbo trainer, rollers, Spin bike, or in group fitness classes. It’s now a completely different experience to that of one or two decades ago, and it’s starting to be seen in a totally new light. Indoor training using an app is versatile, cheap (after initial setup costs), and an easy to use tool with real, proven effects.
The world shutting down in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic brought another surge in popularity. Cyclists and non-cyclists everywhere were looking for ways to keep fit and stave off boredom without leaving the house. Jumping on the turbo or rollers and setting yourself some goals was the ideal solution, and it brought many new users to apps such as Zwift.
Train without extensive knowledge of the science behind the numbers
Forget the planning pre ride and the analysis post ride, with the extensive availability of apps these days, all the hard work is done for you. As long as you have a smart trainer, or basic trainer plus power meter, you’ll be…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at CyclingNews RSS Feed…