Hey everyone,
A general thankyou for people taking the time to answer my questions, the information is always very helpful. OK, on to todays query, I have heard that time on a trainer is like twice as much time on the road. Now I don't buy that completely but the idea that the time on the trainer is somewhat focused can anyone give me an idea of a conversion. It affects my training because in terms of time on the bike and weekly training hours. Thanks
I think the longer the training session, the higher the ratio or lower depending on how you look at it…
i.e. When I go out for an hour long spin either on the road or the computrainer, I normally spin 100% of the time barring stop signs or traffic lights (I can stay away from both where I live) However, on a 3, 4, 5 hour road trip, I’ll take breaks going down hills, sometimes significant down hills which may allow a full 5, 6, 7 min recovery period. On the computrainer, like this mornings 2 hours session of the Timberman course, it’s non stop and my legs feel more like I just finished a 3 or 4 hour hilly ride not just the two hours on the CT.
Realize your probably looking for some more scientific data, non of which I can offer… Only my real life personal experience. I always feel like the CT gives me a more specific workout then the road… but I can only handle so many indoor miles… especially in the summer months.
Michael McCormack (www.triathloncoach.com) is of the view that 1 hour of targeted, detailed training on the CT is worth 3 hours on the road. I can’t tell you if the ratio is exact, but I’ve been working with M2 for a little over 2 months and I find that the CT workout progressions he provides are extremely well thought out and are much more focused than JFRiding along on the road. I do 2-3 CT sessions a week of 50-80 minutes per session and 1 road ride per week. Overall strength and endurance have improved measurably in 2 months.
Of course, just fucking around on the trainer probably equates to a similar amount of just fucking around on the road. It’s all about the content of the session.
Later
I don’t buy that. Sure, you don’t get any coasting breaks, but that doesn’t mean it’s worth any additional time. It just makes for a tougher session for the given amount of time.
The value of the CT depends on how disciplined you are on the road. If, as one poster noted, you have a powermeter, or even a HR monitor, and use it to do targeted, productive workouts rather than simply riding then you’ll not likely find the CT is worth any more than training on the road. If you aren’t focused in your riding…you’ll probably get more value out of it…IF you use it to get a focused workout.
I’ve owned two of them, an old 2D Nintendo version, and the 3D Pro version. They were great training tools, especially in the winter due to weather and light availability considerations. But I now have a PowerTap powermeter. I sold the CT and will never go back. I use the PowerTap on the road, and on a fluid trainer. Its the best of both worlds. I recommend the Powermeter/fluid trainer setup over the CT…its more versatile. You can take your power training on the road, or on the trainer. The ability to train with power is the REAL value of the CT…but you have to give it up when you ride outside…why do that? Get a powermeter and a good fluid trainer…
But either one is a good way to help focus your riding.