Starting to like the turbo-am I ill?

MikeWW

Like many I really used to find it hard to get on and stay motivated on the turbo

But these days I seem to look forward to it and seem to be able to stay focused on the moment as I am doing an effort rather than thinking how much longer I have to go.

Maybe its because I have had a couple of injuries which has meant the turbo has been the only option and have got used to it

Maybe its because I have a number of the sufferfest videos and plan them out 4 weeks in advance for during the week so I don't even need to think about what I am going to do when I get home or get up or both.

Maybe its because I have a training camp in March and know I need to stay focused to have a chance of getting fit for it

...or maybe I'm just a bit odd

Anybody else enjoying the turbo sessions?

buckles

I often really enjoyed the turbo and looked forward to using it, just because it is training and I love training.

However after a while the novelty wore off and monotony set in... just that 'dead' feeling, zero movement of the bike.... urgh.

Seem to go through cycles of one two-month turbo love period per year...

Flâneur

Yes

Escher303

I'm really enjoying the turbo at the moment too, there's something about the structure of it that I seem to get a kick out of. God knows why! But as I'm on a turbo heavy structured training plan at the moment its just as well. Never thought I'd look forward to it, I used to need to go out every day on the road come rain or shine. But love the feeling that those hard intervals give me and the staisfaction hey are making me fit. Hope it doesn t wear off!

Mikey23

I always find something to distract me... Music or TV and an hour or more seems to fly by. It's also nice to watch the rain pouring down outside ...

phreak

I enjoy training so don't find the turbo a problem at all. Never have really. For me going outside for a ride is as much a mental thing, whereas the turbo is purely physical.

neeb

I enjoy the harder sessions in a masochistic kind of way, stuff like 2x20 and VO2 intervals. The problem I have is with longer ones at level 2 / level 3 when there isn't enough suffering to ease the boredom... 200w for an hour or two is not hard enough to give you something to concentrate on but it's not exactly relaxing either. Looking into films with subtitles for that.

cougie

I blame the trainerroad.

Just follow their program - no need to think or choose a session - all you have to do is open that days session and follow the graph. It is addictive.

diamonddog

Always enjoyed turbo sessions.

okgo

cougie wrote:

I blame the trainerroad.

Just follow their program - no need to think or choose a session - all you have to do is open that days session and follow the graph. It is addictive.

But does it work? That is the issue.

I agree with your sentiment and actually being coached has allowed me to not hate the turbo quite as much as I don't need to think about what I may do, I just do it, get off and then do whatever I need to do the next day.

cougie

My power readings are showing its working. Power levels up. Heart rate down. Training does work, who would have thunk it ?

BrandonA

I was thinking about starting a similar thread.

People are quick to complain about indoor sessions and rarely praise them.

I've not done an FTP test since late December but I really enjoyed the last one - I nearly puked at the end but that was part of the enjoyment - knowing that I can push myself to the limit.

As for the boredom I think you have to mix up the sessions. Personally I tend to do train at specific %ages of my FTP mid week and then at the weekend I ride virtual courses (based on the elevation of real roads). Some of my mid-week sessions will be shorter intervals, others will be longer ones - again to train different zones but also to mix it up a bit.

I have no intention of going outside on my bike until April. Instead I will be grinding it solidly indoors.

stringybob

Since switching from a turbo to rollers, my enjoyment has increased immeasurably

john1967

BrandonA wrote:

I was thinking about starting a similar thread.

People are quick to complain about indoor sessions and rarely praise them.

I've not done an FTP test since late December but I really enjoyed the last one - I nearly puked at the end but that was part of the enjoyment - knowing that I can push myself to the limit.

As for the boredom I think you have to mix up the sessions. Personally I tend to do train at specific %ages of my FTP mid week and then at the weekend I ride virtual courses (based on the elevation of real roads). Some of my mid-week sessions will be shorter intervals, others will be longer ones - again to train different zones but also to mix it up a bit.

I have no intention of going outside on my bike until April. Instead I will be grinding it solidly indoors.

BrandonA wrote:

I was thinking about starting a similar thread.

People are quick to complain about indoor sessions and rarely praise them.

I've not done an FTP test since late December but I really enjoyed the last one - I nearly puked at the end but that was part of the enjoyment - knowing that I can push myself to the limit.

As for the boredom I think you have to mix up the sessions. Personally I tend to do train at specific %ages of my FTP mid week and then at the weekend I ride virtual courses (based on the elevation of real roads). Some of my mid-week sessions will be shorter intervals, others will be longer ones - again to train different zones but also to mix it up a bit.

I have no intention of going outside on my bike until April. Instead I will be grinding it solidly indoors.

Not going outside till April.That's one of the most depressing things I've read on here.

TakeTurns

I'm happily riding intervals on the turbo and 1 endurance road session per week atm.

It's solid, no messing about training. Also won't be out till April, other than a few warm up races in March.

Mikey23

Horses for courses. Weather yesterday was rubbish so turbo. Today looking ok so will be out later. Forecast for tomorrow equally rubbish so turbo again. I don't personally do it for fitness and don't tend to push myself that hard. I know what it's like to break bones and don't want to do it again. And I don't see any point in going out in cold wet and windy for some kind of macho reason. So I don't.

Also I don't like spending ages cleaning the crud off my bike when I get back...

markhewitt1978

Stringybob wrote:

Since switching from a turbo to rollers, my enjoyment has increased immeasurably

How are you finding it in terms of workout?

stringybob

Really good - I also have a Tacx Blue Matic (or motion, cant remember which) and there is certainly enough resistance in the rollers to give as good a workout as the turbo

neeb

I think the sort of workout you can get from rollers depends on the model - some have more resistance than others and some have some sort of adjustable resistance, but with the basic ones you will end up spinning out before you can reach threshold-level efforts (either that or you'll need to develop an extremely high cadence..)

twist83

cougie wrote:

I blame the trainerroad.

Just follow their program - no need to think or choose a session - all you have to do is open that days session and follow the graph. It is addictive.

I am with you on this and the OP. Since discovering TR about 3-4 weeks ago I am hooked and look forward to each session now It is sick and wrong but I just LOVE stats!!! I just whack some music on and smash away for 60/90 mins or whatever.

Although having said that as soon as the weather is better I will be outside. TR is helping me focus on pushing a faster cadence and also technique etc.

cougie

I seem to be at the stage now where I'm not annoyed by bad weather any more. Last couple of weekend rides have been out due to ice, or wet and gusty winds - I got a quality workout inside and no need to clean the bike - result !

I wouldnt object to a nice sunny day this weekend though - I might have forgotten how to balance.