You can train all year round. Whether you’re training for a specific purpose, or just want to stay in shape, having a trainer means you can put in some hard miles – whatever the weather. You're not wet and cold, your bike doesn't get covered in all the joys of winter (otherwise know as salt, grime and grit).
Half the appeal of cycling, being able to have a great view of what you’re cycling past, is lost in winter. Sitting inside with a trainer, a DVD or your favourite turbo music (here’s a list to get you started!), and no weather constraints to worry about – you can train and push your self to your hearts content. A pure and simple workout.
In some aspects, training indoors has actually got more training benefits than riding outdoors. Firstly you’ve got complete control over your workout. Hard or soft, short and intense or long and measured, your regime can be exactly tailored, unimpeded by weather, daylight or traffic. With a heart rate monitor you can put in some serious intervals and actually emerge a stronger cyclist in the new year. Second, with no breeze you’ll sweat more than you ever thought possible on a bike, there’s a reason why the bike thong becomes necessary for the bike when it’s sat inside. Turbo training is a great way to lose weight as a result.
Once you’ve decided to buy a trainer, the sheer choice open to you can be a little daunting.
In truth it’s pretty easy to pick a trainer, as the central features you’re looking for – and price, will dictate which is the one for you. The brands we’ve hand picked to sell are leaders in their field, with Cycleops, Elite, TacX and Blackburn making (in our humble opinion) the best turbo trainers you can buy.
Below we’ve created a small guide to our favourite turbo trainers, to help you choose the trainer that would suit you best:
The perfect entry-level turbo trainer. It’s a cinch to set up, has a heavy reliable feel and comes with five resistance levels. You can purchase an after market remote shifter to adjust resistance from the cockpit. Without it you’ll need to adjust the resistance before starting. A bit of a pain, but not essential.
The mag trainer is smooth, very smooth for the money (although not fluid smooth), and like all mag trainers, pretty quiet. A massive improvement on older air resistance based trainers, but then short of a Boeing in the living room, not much isn't.
When you’ve finished it doesn’t take a minute to pack away. A great value trainer.
Solid as all Cycleops trainers, the Magneto is the only trainer on the market at the time of writing with progressive resistance. You can finely control the resistance through your cadence and gear choice. It automatically responds to you’re pedalling rate (through something they call “Power Band technology”) to provide a training session that will be whatever you want it to be.
Has the same adjustable footpads as other Cyclops trainers and well designed quick release handle.
A training DVD is included in the package.
This is the cheapest trainer we've got at the moment, but this is certainly not reflected in the quality. It's not anywhere near so noisy as many other cheaper turbo trainers, and it's a lot quieter than some more expensive models too.
If you're looking for variable resistance look elsewhere. If you want a good entry level spinning machine (and know how to use the gears on your bike), this could be the perfect trainer for you.
The discerning roadies’ choice, this is one of the most natural riding trainers we sell. The larger flywheel increases the balance of the rear wheel and smoothness of the ride.
It has an infinite resistance curve (you won’t beat it!), based on you and your gear selection, this has the greatest power to speed feel, whatever speed you’re going.
Apart from that, this is another very quiet trainer.
Comes with a free training DVD.
A high end trainer, whose unique selling point has to be it’s versatility. Whether you’re chasing podiums or looking to gain fitness, this can be adjusted to suit your training schedule.
Four settings (or “pro resistance curves”), give four unique workouts. From easy to mountain, this will provide every level of workout needed – making it very suitable for anyone planning to share a trainer.
As well as being fine comb-tuneable it also offers a smooth and quiet ride.
Selected a trainer and got you’re training routine sorted and MP3 player sorted?
A turbo training mat performs several roles. Protecting the floor from your sweat and bike grime, and perhaps most importantly, significantly reducing the noise and vibration. Unless you live alone and a long way from anyone, you’d be advised to get one.
Did you know you’re sweat is corrosive? Well you’re going to producing a fair whack of it during your sessions, so why not show your bike some love and protect it from your toxic brew.
Comes in two flavours. You can either achieve a natural position with a standard riser block, or give you’re self a climbing position with two stackable riser blocks.
A fan
Trust us, if you're training inside you’ll miss the breeze.
If you’re trainer doesn’t come equipped this is a great way of keeping on top of your training.
Widescreen TV and DVD player
Hey you’re inside, take advantage!
Liquid
See that stuff rolling off you in buckets? You need to replace it more often on a trainer.
