I’m wondering what your goal race(s) (what you’re training for) are…and some trainer workouts you use to get ready for them. I have a HIM in May and a full in Oct. I plan to do all my workouts for the HIM on the trainer and Computrainer. I’ll probably (based on how that goes) do the same (except for my handful of longest rides) for the full.
I’d also like to hear if you tried it this way and regretted it.
Thanks.
I’m wondering what your goal race(s) (what you’re training for) are…and some trainer workouts you use to get ready for them. I have a HIM in May and a full in Oct. I plan to do all my workouts for the HIM on the trainer and Computrainer. I’ll probably (based on how that goes) do the same (except for my handful of longest rides) for the full.
I’d also like to hear if you tried it this way and regretted it.
Thanks.
It sounds like you are more in need of a program, not a random handful of workouts from the peanut gallery. I highly recommend TrainerRoad. Big returns for small $$$. Some people are fans of Zwift, but I have not tried it.
I did this last year with success. All my workouts were on Trainerroad’s full triathlon plan on the computrainer, except 90% of the long rides were outside. I used the high volume plan, and if I was time crunched I’d just pick a similar workout from the lower volume plans. The workouts are hard and you’ll see results quickly.
I feel like this method is great. I’m currently training for IMTX, and 100% of my rides are inside (I live in the north). The 4-5 hour rides are tough mentally, and very tough on the taintal/sit bone area.
I’ve used TrainerRoad for the last couple years with great success. I’d recommend following their plans. There’s no one workout, rather consistent workouts, that have helped me improve.
“I plan to do all my workouts for the HIM on the trainer and Computrainer. I’ll probably (based on how that goes) do the same (except for my handful of longest rides) for the full.”
what is your reason for this?
I did this last year, nearly all my rides were on the trainer. I’d say to be sure to integrate intervals instead of just focusing on steady state rides. I focused too much on steady effort versus intervals and didn’t really get any stronger. (Did 3 70.3 and 1 IM distance last year, same for this year)
This year, I’ve been doing more interval work and have become a much stronger rider, thus when doing steady state rides, I am doing so at a higher power output at same effort level.
Just my .02, Trainer Road and Zwift both have workouts that can accommodate this, go with whichever you prefer, I use Zwift.
I’m the same, for me it’s safety and rides outside just can’t give me the same level of workout mainly due to traffic, lights, people, dogs, signs etc.
That said, I highly suggest at least one ride outside before the race to get used to how your tri bike handles.
For a full you’ll need 2 long rides outside. Worked for me.
“I plan to do all my workouts for the HIM on the trainer and Computrainer. I’ll probably (based on how that goes) do the same (except for my handful of longest rides) for the full.”
what is your reason for this?
“for me it’s safety and rides outside”
coincidentally, i just started a thread on this.
I have been riding nearly 100% indoors for the past few years. I saw great returns with this change. The benefits of consistent work, intervals, never running out of nutrition or hydration coumpound themselves to excellent results. I am trying more interval/hill training on the treadmill this year as well, hopefully I will see some similar results.
Same here, almost 100% indoors, kickr and trainerroad, best fitness gains I’ve had in a long time.
I am in the middle of one of the 8 week trainerroad programs right now, about 8-9 hours per week. Will pick another one once that is done.
For me it is both the safety issues outside, and the fact that I just don’t have time to ride outside during daylight hours.
I have 20+ years of road racing experience, so I feel confident in my bike handling skills, doesn’t bother me to have a race being my first outdoor ride of the year.
Reasons:
Mainly safety. But it is also convenient and efficient. I also like that I can ride with friends at all ability levels on the trainer. I like riding outside, but I have had too many friends seriously injured - not just from cars, but from bumps, potholes and dogs running into their path.
I transitioned from all outside (except a couple of winter months) to mostly inside (new controllable trainer in late 2015 is the difference). Like others, I use Trainerroad (great!), Zwift (different, but entertaining and can be used for training) and Sufferfest (awesome). One thing that may be psychological, but may be physiological - I think that the inside training has dulled my ability to climb real hills. I don’t know why this is - increasing your FTP should be usefully and equally applied to flats and climbing, but it seems so for me. So make sure that your outside rides have climbing reflective of the courses you intend to race…
I’m wondering what your goal race(s) (what you’re training for) are…and some trainer workouts you use to get ready for them. I have a HIM in May and a full in Oct. I plan to do all my workouts for the HIM on the trainer and Computrainer. I’ll probably (based on how that goes) do the same (except for my handful of longest rides) for the full.
I’d also like to hear if you tried it this way and regretted it.
Thanks.
I have used the trainer exclusively for bike training for the past four years with the exception of outdoor riding May - July each of those four years.
No regrets at all. I have gone from age group to pro and keep seeing improvements on a consistent basis.
Most of my workouts are an hour to an hour and a half, and almost always include threshold intervals, VO2, or sweetspot training. I rarely ride lower than 75% FTP, and keep the intensity up. I am usually on the bike at least 6 times per week for 7-10 hours total bike training (weekly).
The trainer is the most valuable tool that a triathlete can use to up cycling capabilities quickly.
Fair question, Slowman.
I’m recovering from shoulder surgery, based on a cycling crash, last August. Surgery was 12/14. I’m good on the trainer…but don’t care to risk any damage while it’s still healing.
On top of that…I keep noticing how many people are on their phones (talking or texting) as I drive. It’s scary.
Fair question, Slowman.
I’m recovering from shoulder surgery, based on a cycling crash, last August. Surgery was 12/14. I’m good on the trainer…but don’t care to risk any damage while it’s still healing.
On top of that…I keep noticing how many people are on their phones (talking or texting) as I drive. It’s scary.
+1 This
Reasons:
Mainly safety. But it is also convenient and efficient.
This. These are the reasons I train 100% on Zwift. Yes I miss cycling outside, but it’s just not worth it anymore. I get to focus on my workout and not worry about getting a flat, getting hit, running out of water/food and it doesn’t matter if it’s -40 or +40 or raining. I spend enough time outside running anyways.
Edit: If I do ride outside this summer besides a race, it will be on trails with friends.
I’ll add my name to the list. I probably do more trainer rides than outdoor rides. I have a Kickr and use the Traineroad app. My thought is to do no easy rides when on the trainer. All trainer rides have a purpose. I’m either doing intervals or sweet spot rides. I shoot for 90 minute trainer rides too. I’m hoping to make big improvements on the bike this year, as its always been by weakest discipline.
I’m pretty much all indoors. It’s way more convenient to go to the bonus room fire up the coach’s workout I put into TrainerRoad and go. I believe I could not get the same quality workout if I ride outside. My cycling had improved greatly as a result.
Apparently… I am afraid and that fear is irrational. I’m not afraid, I CHOOSE to ride inside. And I really don’t give a f**k what anyone thinks about it.
I still ride my commuter to work, and for the odd errand, but all of my bike training is now indoors on a kicker with trainer road.
It’s a great way to get a really focused work out, and I have gotten better results following trainer road plans then I did using a coach last season in terms of raising my FTP.
I still do 2 to 3 long rides outside pre-race, but aside from that it’s all following TrainerRoad plans.
You can have very good success training for a HIM almost exclusively indoors IMO. As others have said, I’d target min 4 rides a week on the trainer. I didn’t intend it this way, but I have naturally progressed to a similar structure as the BarryP running program on the trainer. Where I do one longer ride on the weekend (3 hours, with 2 x 1 hour @ goal HIM power), 2 x weekly rides of 90 min (with 3 x 15 min @ 90% FTP), 1-2 x 60 min rides (one either 2 x 15 min over/under intervals or 5 x 4min VO2 intervals, the other is a z2 ride for 60 min).
Again similar to what others have said, I’ve found the key to effective indoor training is ramming the intensity in. Most use a training tool like TrainerRoad or Zwift with structured workouts for this. Even better of you have a smart trainer so you don’t have to concentrate, for those of us with standard trainers and a power meter it can get quite mentally draining though.