Getting the most out of my turbo trainer
ThisGirlCant
Posts: 48
I posted this in road beginners but was advised to post here... hopefully you can help me out a bit!
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Have been using my turbo trainer for about 2 months now. I go on for about 30 minutes once or twice a week.
The problem is, i dont really know what im doing, or how to make the most of my time on it.
I've looked online for some workout plans, but they all rely on knowing what power or cadence or speed you are doing. I don't have a computer so I'm a bit in the dark.
My question is, do I just need to get a computer? If so, could anyone recommend an easy to use one?
If I can manage without one, could anyone talk me through what I should be doing on the turbo? I probably could commit up to an hour maybe 3 times a week, and ma aim is to get fitter so I'm not left behind so much when out on the roads.
Thanks.
eta: my turbo is a tacx satori pro. It has 10 resistance levels.
....
Have been using my turbo trainer for about 2 months now. I go on for about 30 minutes once or twice a week.
The problem is, i dont really know what im doing, or how to make the most of my time on it.
I've looked online for some workout plans, but they all rely on knowing what power or cadence or speed you are doing. I don't have a computer so I'm a bit in the dark.
My question is, do I just need to get a computer? If so, could anyone recommend an easy to use one?
If I can manage without one, could anyone talk me through what I should be doing on the turbo? I probably could commit up to an hour maybe 3 times a week, and ma aim is to get fitter so I'm not left behind so much when out on the roads.
Thanks.
eta: my turbo is a tacx satori pro. It has 10 resistance levels.
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Comments
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A speed sensor would allow you to use training apps such as zwift, sufferfest or trainer road. However if you aren’t looking to outlay money at this stage you could always ride along with the GCN training videos on YouTube which at least will give some structure to your sessions.0
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ThisGirlCant wrote:The problem is, i dont really know what im doing, or how to make the most of my time on it.
What brand/type of trainer do you have? Trainerroad has "virtual power" for some well know brands, so a speed meter will do - take one that has bluetooth & ANT+. Of course you need a tablet/phone (bluetooth) or computer (ANT+) to run Trainerroads software on. It costs +-10€/month.
It has clear trainingplans to help you through winter.
https://www.trainerroad.com/0 -
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=13087001
If you have a basic trainer then you would be advised to have, as well, a Heart Rate Monitor (I think chest straps are much better than FitBits), monitors on your bike which measure cadence (pedal spin rate) and speed (on the rear wheel). Typically these are ANT+ or Bluetooth - means of sharing data wirelessly.
You then will need a unit which collects this data and uses it to help you structure and manage a training plan.
At the most basic level you could just have a bike computer (Garmin 500 say) and use free training videos on YouTube (search for GCN - Global Cycling Network). You would be best to do some reserach on how to use the data for a training plan. Google is a good starting point although there will be stuff on this forum.
Alternatively you could use a tablet or mobile phone and a training app like TrainerRoad. This will be more engaging and help you through the boredom of not knowing what you are doing. To connect TrainerRoad to your devices your phone/tablet will need to be BT or ANT+ compatible. If it's not you can get an ANT+ dongle. TrainerRoad weill then give you a series of training sessions to do after yo have told it what turbo trainer you are using and have done a fitness test (FTP - Functional Threshold Power).
You will need a fan and probably some sort of entertainment - music or TV - to get over the boredom.
Take it easy to start with and good luck.0 -
ThisGirlCant wrote:I posted this in road beginners but was advised to post here... hopefully you can help me out a bit!
....
Have been using my turbo trainer for about 2 months now. I go on for about 30 minutes once or twice a week.
The problem is, i dont really know what im doing, or how to make the most of my time on it.
I've looked online for some workout plans, but they all rely on knowing what power or cadence or speed you are doing. I don't have a computer so I'm a bit in the dark.
My question is, do I just need to get a computer? If so, could anyone recommend an easy to use one?
If I can manage without one, could anyone talk me through what I should be doing on the turbo? I probably could commit up to an hour maybe 3 times a week, and ma aim is to get fitter so I'm not left behind so much when out on the roads.
Thanks.
eta: my turbo is a tacx satori pro. It has 10 resistance levels.
Hello!
Do you have a smart phone, if so what model? Or perhaps an iPad, or a PC/Mac?
This will govern what your choices are from full on with Zwift to Trainer Road etc.0 -
I have a Samsung galaxy s6, a macbook And a fitbit.
I don't mind spending a little (e.g. on a basic computer) but free would be best!0 -
So both your Galaxy and the Macbook will run training software. All you would need is a speed sensor on the bike (go for dual ant+ and bluetooth ones as this will give you more options) to transmit virtual power to your software of choice. Zwift and sufferfest both give a free trial so you can try them out to see what you prefer.0
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stevie63 wrote:So both your Galaxy and the Macbook will run training software. All you would need is a speed sensor on the bike (go for dual ant+ and bluetooth ones as this will give you more options) to transmit virtual power to your software of choice. Zwift and sufferfest both give a free trial so you can try them out to see what you prefer.
Agree with all the above.
Check out Wahoo for speed / cadence sensors and they also do the Tickr bluetooth/ant heart rate strap which is great. They might have a deal on for black friday so keep an eye out for that.0 -
awesome - thanks everyone!0
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OK, so if I got something like this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/wahoo-blue-sc-s ... h-ble-ant/
does it link to an app on my phone? And then how does it link to something like Zwift?
Sorry, I'm mechanically competent but electronically inept!!0 -
Zwift don’t have an Android app yet ( just the mobile link app) but that sensor would link to your MacBook via Bluetooth smart( assuming your MacBook is no more than a few years old.) having said that I would probably go for the newer magnetless wahoo sensors for a few quid more.0
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stevie63 wrote:having said that I would probably go for the newer magnetless wahoo sensors for a few quid more.
Is there a specific one you'd recommend/can link me to?0 -
Here you go:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/wahoo-rpm-speed-cadence-with-bluetooth-40-and-ant/
Or you could even just buy the speed sensor on its own for £30. Cadence is a nice to have but it’s not essential.0 -
stevie63 wrote:Here you go:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/wahoo-rpm-speed-cadence-with-bluetooth-40-and-ant/
Or you could even just buy the speed sensor on its own for £30. Cadence is a nice to have but it’s not essential.
Thanks so much you've been really helpful!
Will see what I can find in the black Friday sales...0
