The inefficiency of using a turbo trainer?

Gabbo

Not entirely sure whether the title is correct but is turbo training an inefficient form of training for cycling? For example, I road over 60 miles last Monday throughout Surrey hills and was absolutely shattered by the end of it. The following day I was tired, but I never felt drained. Yesterday, however, I cycled for 2 hours on the turbo trainer at a set pace and today I feel drained. No muscle soreness, nothing. I just feel drained even though I found the session on the turbo trainer relatively easy.

I was sweating bucket loads on the turbo and am wondering whether this significant amount of fluid loss had anything to do with how I am physically feeling today (I did hydrate). I wonder, just how much energy goes into keeping the body cool instead of improving physical performance when on the turbo trainer. Logically, a fan would make sense.

Any opinions on turbo trainers and the difference between road training?

TakeTurns

First of all, I wouldn't turbo unless I'm outside in the garden or have a fan inside. It just gets far too hot without the wind wicking off the sweat. I can't imagine how you would've been able to keep up with the fluid loss from the sweating alone. The heat will also have an effect on your training, H/R will be higher, despite the effort being mild.

mattshrops

Yep agreed a fan is vital.

the people who know more than me reckon 1hr turbo is worth 1.5-2hrs on the road.No freewheel etc.

most folks find the same power level on a turbo harder to hold than on the road.

could also be combination of the 2 rides making you tired

could also argue if you're more tired today then the turbo gave you a better workout/more possible adaptation??

As often with these questions the string is about ooh that long< >

Gabbo

mattshrops wrote:

Yep agreed a fan is vital.

the people who know more than me reckon 1hr turbo is worth 1.5-2hrs on the road.No freewheel etc.

most folks find the same power level on a turbo harder to hold than on the road.

could also be combination of the 2 rides making you tired

could also argue if you're more tired today then the turbo gave you a better workout/more possible adaptation?

As often with these questions the string is about ooh that long< >

Maybe, but it did not feel that way. The road is a strange one. You can stop pedalling on descents, and kill yourself up hills whereas the turbo trainer is just a constant tick over for however long you are on it for. Personally I will be keeping away from 2hr sessions on the turbo, as I feel I could probably optimise the session by incorporating something different, maybe more challenging but shorter.

If anyone has got any session ideas please let me know. But I think a fan is definitely the next on my shopping list if the weather does not improve. Went out for a cycle today and felt horrid. Just didn't have the feel for it physically or mentally and therefore cut it short which I'm rarely guilty of.

twotyred

Logically, a fan would make sense.

Exactly

danlikesbikes

The only thing I notice on my turbo is that I am only working my legs and not having to adjust my weight on the bike or losing any effort through the fame moving. Plus there is no real mental workout as I don't have to concentrate on other road users, directions or the condition of the road. Guess the other big factor is your pushing against a resistance from the machine but there is no air resistance which you would get on the road and need to accommodate in your output.

Alex_Simmons/RST

The effectiveness of a turbo for training is entirely up to the user, and the quality of the set up.

At the top of that quality of set up list is effective cooling. If you typically roll along at 30km/h outdoors, then when on the trainer do you have a 30km/h wind blowing over your entire body helping to keep your body temp in check? Increases in core body temp are very detrimental to performance.

As for the actual training performed - well it's up to the user to do workouts that make good use of the turbo.

moonshine

The turbo is arguably the most efficient, but most depressing training aid at your disposal.
I have done almost all my riding since October in mine... Principally because it allows me short duration (~1hr) 100% quality training time.
Riding on the road is far easier mentally & more enjoyable, but the value per session on the turbo is better for me than a couple of hours on the road. I don't have the time or inclination for it after dirk in the dark midwinter.
As Alex said, you get from it what you out in...

stueys

You need a fan. One of the kids kindly turned mine off mid-way through an hours set of intervals last week, I lasted five minutes before having to stop, I heated up significantly. It makes a huge difference, get the biggest one you can find.

moonshine

I use an 18" floor fan going full chat, heating in room off and big window wide open... Even if it is 0c outside.... Brrrr!

dgstewart

moonshine wrote:

I use an 18" floor fan going full chat, heating in room off and big window wide open... Even if it is 0c outside.... Brrrr!

I've recently moved the turbo from the garage (just too cold in winter!) into the conservatory. I put the heating on before I start to get the room warm enough not to freeze my feet, then turn it off and open the windows/door just as I get going to bring the temperature back down slowly as I warm up. Also it has the advantage of a ceiling fan right above where I set the bike up 8) .

danlikesbikes

dgstewart wrote:

moonshine wrote:

I use an 18" floor fan going full chat, heating in room off and big window wide open... Even if it is 0c outside.... Brrrr!

I've recently moved the turbo from the garage (just too cold in winter!) into the conservatory. I put the heating on before I start to get the room warm enough not to freeze my feet, then turn it off and open the windows/door just as I get going to bring the temperature back down slowly as I warm up. Also it has the advantage of a ceiling fan right above where I set the bike up 8) .

Just need to be careful of any hands in the air celebrations when you finish a segment, could be painful and costly :oops:

dgstewart

Danlikesbikes wrote:

Just need to be careful of any hands in the air celebrations when you finish a segment, could be painful and costly :oops:

Indeed! I'm safe enough as it's quite high - I need to reach up just to pull the cord to change fan speed.

Aside from that, i've never yet celebrated any turbo session in that joyous manner! Generally, just a slump on the bars at the end of a hard interval and a "well, did me good but I'm glad that's over" at the end .

danlikesbikes

dgstewart wrote:

Danlikesbikes wrote:

Just need to be careful of any hands in the air celebrations when you finish a segment, could be painful and costly :oops:

Indeed! I'm safe enough as it's quite high - I need to reach up just to pull the cord to change fan speed.

Aside from that, i've never yet celebrated any turbo session in that joyous manner! Generally, just a slump on the bars at the end of a hard interval and a "well, did me good but I'm glad that's over" at the end .

Never done it myself either but I do know someone who has & whilst it was a long time ago we still remind him of it to this day :P

VTech

I think that the likes of TacX etc allow the boredom of turbo cycling to be removed with the video footage and google maps etc as you have far more to ease the mind than just sitting on a bike spinning for an hour.

Alex_Simmons/RST

I have no affiliation but I consider this software to be a superb aid for indoor training:
http://perfprostudio.com/Studio.aspx

lawrences

If you're sweating alot you're losing alot of salt from your body which could lead to the drained feeling the day after. Sweat less or try to replace the salt you lose and see if this helps.