cyclists: what indoor trainer app do you use?
amandaeve
Posts: 723 Member
I have a "smart" trainer (Tacx Flux) and I can't decide which app I want to train with this season. I'm wondering what the favorites are.
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Replies
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I use Zwift.2
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I use Trainerroad. I'd say that TR is relatively low on "excitement value" compared to some other apps, but it is high on providing plans that drive systematic improvements in cycling.1
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Following along in case there are suggestions that also work with dumb trainers.1
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They've mostly all got a free trial so give them all a whirl. I've tried trainerroad, sufferfest, trainerroad and sufferfest together, zwift and currently beta testing RGT.
I generally prefer zwift, think RGT could be great once it's finished but occasionally miss beasting myself on sufferfest to some random music which just fits the video perfectly.1 -
Zwift is a lot of fun. They do have a lot of different workouts, but you can also build training plans in other programs (that have better analytics also) such as training peaks or today's plan and upload them to Zwift. (You can probably run multiple free trials at once (for the different apps) so you can see how everything connects and synchronizes together.)
I have found my performance over this year has improved dramatically using Zwift workouts and just "playing" in Zwift. The gamification and challenges are very motivating for me.
A more advanced cyclist might need a better training plan than is provided by Zwift, but for me, I'm very happy. The analytics are probably insufficient for someone who really needs (loves?) the numbers.
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I do commercial intervals.1
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Following along in case there are suggestions that also work with dumb trainers.
I have a CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer (dumb trainer) that I use with Trainerroad. I have a Wahoo Speed/Cadence sensor, but no power meter on my bike. Therefore, Trainerroad provides a Virtual Power estimate based on the Speed/Cadence data from my Wahoo coupled with the power curve data TR gets from knowing I'm using a CycleOps trainer. If you have a power meter, so much the better, TR will display that too.
TR provides training plans that I find useful. There are low, medium and high volume plans for winter base building work, and also cycling and triathlon plans tailored to the rider's particular interrest. So a rider could start a 6 week base building plan in January, then shift to a Half Iron distance Triathlon training plan in prep for a spring race.
I usually train with TR shown on my PC screen and I either listen to music or watch TV. I find that I need the distraction of TV or music during a longer indoor ride, but that watching the workout graphs in TR forces me to apply the mental focus needed to push out the work at the right level of intensity to accomplish my goal for the workout.
Finally, I recognize that TR won't appeal to everyone, since it doesn't have the entertaining user interface found in some of the other programs. It is strictly a training tool. With that said, I get good results with TR and use other entertainment sources to keep me from getting bored.
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Now that winter is coming again, I'd be happy with an android app that can control my Tacx Bushido Smart via Bluetooth, get heart rate from an ant+ HRM, let's me put together some workouts with segments based on power, shows me where I am during the workout, and what I have done so far, and then lets me upload my workouts to Strava / Garmin connect etc. Even better if it's free or does not require a subscription... Any suggestions?
I use netflix for the inflight "entertainment"
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Following along in case there are suggestions that also work with dumb trainers.
I have a CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer (dumb trainer) that I use with Trainerroad. I have a Wahoo Speed/Cadence sensor, but no power meter on my bike. Therefore, Trainerroad provides a Virtual Power estimate based on the Speed/Cadence data from my Wahoo coupled with the power curve data TR gets from knowing I'm using a CycleOps trainer. If you have a power meter, so much the better, TR will display that too.
TR provides training plans that I find useful. There are low, medium and high volume plans for winter base building work, and also cycling and triathlon plans tailored to the rider's particular interrest. So a rider could start a 6 week base building plan in January, then shift to a Half Iron distance Triathlon training plan in prep for a spring race.
I usually train with TR shown on my PC screen and I either listen to music or watch TV. I find that I need the distraction of TV or music during a longer indoor ride, but that watching the workout graphs in TR forces me to apply the mental focus needed to push out the work at the right level of intensity to accomplish my goal for the workout.
Finally, I recognize that TR won't appeal to everyone, since it doesn't have the entertaining user interface found in some of the other programs. It is strictly a training tool. With that said, I get good results with TR and use other entertainment sources to keep me from getting bored.
this is what I do as well - I have a kurt kinetic dumb trainer and use the virtual power from my speed/cadence sensor1 -
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I have 4 votes for Zwift, 3 for Trainerroad and honorable mentions for Sufferfest and RGT. Zwift is winning, but it's a close race.0
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I'm guessing that the purpose of your indoor riding and interface preferences will make one of the apps a clear favorite once you explore the different choices.1
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My one gripe about zwift is that if you are on a dumb trainer - it doesn't always go by actual speed but by what it thinks you should be doing going up an incline - kind of disjointed seeing 16mph on your bike computer and 7 on zwift0
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TimothyFish wrote: »
Zwift requires streaming, or at least a network connection, correct? I can't stream and I'm not looking for anything social. Just the workouts. I've been using Endurance Films DVDs because they give me cadence and RPE targets I can easily follow. So far it's the best option I've found.0 -
Trainerroad for structured workouts. Zwift for fun.0
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BKOOL. I just like it because of the variation of rides - repeat your own rides, ride up Alpe d'Huez, ride in a different part of the world - whatever takes your fancy. It's not 100% accurate but the effort to ride a virtual Alpe d'Huez hurts in much the same way as the real thing.1
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TimothyFish wrote: »
Zwift requires streaming, or at least a network connection, correct? I can't stream and I'm not looking for anything social. Just the workouts. I've been using Endurance Films DVDs because they give me cadence and RPE targets I can easily follow. So far it's the best option I've found.
I know it requires an Internet connection, but I see no reason for it to required "streaming". The graphics are generated on the local machine, so the only data they have to pass over is rider locations and text messages. Even if that isn't available, the software continues running with only one rider visible. It would cost you nothing to use the free trial to see if it will work for you.deannalfisher wrote: »My one gripe about zwift is that if you are on a dumb trainer - it doesn't always go by actual speed but by what it thinks you should be doing going up an incline - kind of disjointed seeing 16mph on your bike computer and 7 on zwift
Even with a smart trainer there are differences between the bike computer and Zwift, but the calorie burn is close to the same. The problem is the bike computer, not Zwift. Because the bike computer has no information about virtual incline it just reports wheel speed. For distance traveled in the virtual environments to have any meaning the incline and rider weight must be factored in. One option is to not use a bike computer when using Zwift.1 -
Zwift. Their training library is limited (mainly for beginners or old hands) but you can alway build your own. There are organized races and group rides that are also fun.
I used Sufferfest and like the interact between users are more engaging on Zwift than race footage. Sufferfest gets boring after a few views. Haven't tried their new app but used their old streaming and video formats. I found their intensity level annoying also since I train using power not heartrate or RPE. I find their recent ads on FTP disgusting and misleading, and probably wouldn't be returning. Before that it was Netflix or Youtube with custom workout on my cycle computer.0 -
TimothyFish wrote: »
Zwift requires streaming, or at least a network connection, correct? I can't stream and I'm not looking for anything social.
Then you don't want zwift. It's all about the social. Trainerroad would be much better for your needs. After download, everything can be local, and nothing is social (it can sync with strava, training peaks, and iirc Garmin connect)
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My off season plan again this year will be 2 to 3 trainer rides per week at done at home following a Trainerroad base building plan. I"ll supplement that with 1 power based studio spin class per week for the high intensity work done in a social setting, because shared, competitive pain is more fun. 0
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@vertego Intrigued by this BKOOL thing. I never heard of it. I like that it sounds customizable, and there are a few real climbs I'd like to simulate before doing them. I'm also surpised, I tried to get the quietest trainer for the $, and these BKOOL trainers appear to be quieter and cheaper! D'oh!0
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For people who are/have used TrainerRoad... what are their workouts like? I couldn't find any details on their site, and they don't appear to offer any kind of sample/demo of their service.
While I don't want to spend the next 5 months doing single leg work and similar drill-style workouts, I do want something more effective than just getting in my comfort zone and spinning while I watch Arsenal or Dallas lose.
TIA.0 -
For people who are/have used TrainerRoad... what are their workouts like? I couldn't find any details on their site, and they don't appear to offer any kind of sample/demo of their service.
While I don't want to spend the next 5 months doing single leg work and similar drill-style workouts, I do want something more effective than just getting in my comfort zone and spinning while I watch Arsenal or Dallas lose.
TIA.
They have a video.
https://www.trainerroad.com/how-it-works0 -
Zwift for sure.0
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