We’re into month 4 of our Elite indoor training project and it’s the perfect time to examine the initial benefits and how it all fits in to the reasoning behind using an indoor trainer.
Let’s get this out of the way early then: indoor cycle training is not about avoiding cycling outdoors – quite the opposite. I’m happy to evidence this viewpoint for you. It’s early April, we’re just out of winter. I’ve had several serious injuries, together with some unexpected family tragedies that have caused gaps in my cycling. We all with have had similar experiences I’m sure. After all, we’re still in the midst of global pandemic.
The fact is that as I head out on the roads again in the warm sun, aged now 55, I shouldn’t be getting regular ‘best time’ alerts on Strava; certainly not this early into the outdoor season – but I am. I’m feeling stronger and better able to simply ride, smiling more and sweating less. It’s a great feeling.
Yes, on just about every ride in the past two or three weeks, despite being out of shape in my own mind due to training gaps, I’m showing myself to be stronger and having a far better energy endurance than I ordinarily have after winter. It usually takes a few weeks of long outdoor rides to regain the shape, but no – it’s already there. I’m able to smile more, sweat less and enjoy the riding. In fact, the other day I went out riding with a colleague, took what we believed was a social pace, played around on our bikes like kids, riding without gripping the bars and generally having a great time. There’s a few key climbs in the ride and we certainly didn’t push it – but we seem to have gone up these climbs faster than ever before, and yet it’s early April. The climbs are actually enjoyable again; I have that feeling that you normally get midway into summer, after lots of riding.
Over the winter months I’ve been using the Elite Suito interactive trainer and the Elite Quick Motion rollers. They’re both great and actually good fun too; and I’m truly a huge fan of the Elite My E-Training app, combined with the ‘Real Video’ and the ‘My Real Video’ elements. It’s a great way to relax and to stay fit, simply mapping out a quick route or climbing a classic on video, such as the Col de la Madeleine. Yes, I’ve been outside on occasions, but it’s been icy and snowy, and as I say I’ve been injured and yes, suffered some family tragedy too (I know that there’ll be some out there with similar losses, and my heart goes out to you). However, when I have been able to train, the Elite Suito in particular has been a Godsend and I’m truly amazed by it in every way. I’m back mixing up training: lots of walks and runs, a few home gym sessions with sun up, press ups etc, and the Elite rollers. After all, the weather still isn’t perfect outside. Having the Elite Suito interactive trainer and the Quick Motion rollers on hand is wonderful. I can simply take myself off to the garage and ride – and I’m addicted to the Elite ‘My Real Video’ app and it’s awesome collection of video rides.
And so in support of the earlier statement, indoor cycling is a great complimentary activity for outdoor cycling. It keeps you in shape and ready to climb those hills again, and to smile as you ride the miles. It simply makes cycling outdoors more fun, because you’re properly prepared for the sweat and toil and able to enjoy the roads just that little bit more. Even mixing indoor and outdoor is really complimentary in spring. So what are you waiting for. Click the link below and read out trainer specific blogs about the products that we’ve been using from Elite range, and then do the sensible thing – buy the Elite trainer that seems to suit you 😉 .
Over the next few weeks I’ll be working the core, as I concentrate on the Elite Quick Motion rollers, and I’ll be writing about the pedal action and performance benefits from using this high end technical trainer.
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Pedalnorth Website2023-12-20 19:47:572023-12-20 19:54:18Indoor cycling for life
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Pedalnorth Website2023-11-13 15:33:062023-12-13 14:19:35Getting Interactive with Elite
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Pedalnorth Website2023-10-25 14:44:482023-12-13 14:19:44Indoor Cycling Inspiration – Ben Ralston
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Pedalnorth Website2023-01-24 16:16:582023-11-27 20:37:52Red Chilli Interactive
