Bike Trainer Measurements

robertbmeyer01
robertbmeyer01 Posts: 5
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello folks,

Searched the forms and couldn't find what I was looking for, so I thought I'd try here.

I recently purchased a bike trainer (a stand) to hook my bike up to to help me out during the cold winter months when it;s just too cold to ride outside.

So here is what I'd like to know: what do I need to fairly accurately measure my the calorie burn and everything else. when I actually ride outside, I use Runtastic and a Polar HRM. The issue with using a trainer is that there is no way to measure distance, which I would sort of thing is pretty important.

Do I need a cadence (spelling) sensor or can I figure out something with what I have?

Any help/suggestions is much appreciated.

Replies

  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    Hello folks,

    Searched the forms and couldn't find what I was looking for, so I thought I'd try here.

    I recently purchased a bike trainer (a stand) to hook my bike up to to help me out during the cold winter months when it;s just too cold to ride outside.

    So here is what I'd like to know: what do I need to fairly accurately measure my the calorie burn and everything else. when I actually ride outside, I use Runtastic and a Polar HRM. The issue with using a trainer is that there is no way to measure distance, which I would sort of thing is pretty important.

    Do I need a cadence (spelling) sensor or can I figure out something with what I have?

    Any help/suggestions is much appreciated.

    Your HRM should be enough to calculate calorie burn if that's your bag.

    Calorie expenditure is really based on body weight x intensity x duration - all of which should be able to be picked up your HRM if it is half decent. Cadence / speed / distance won't matter directly (although as indicators of overall fitness they could be more useful of course.)

    Now get some Sufferfest vids and start training!
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    Just read your post again and if you are interested in also monitoring cadence / distance etc as well you can just run a wireless or wired cycle computer off your back wheel (presuming the wire is long enough to reach your handle bars so you can monitor it during the ride).
  • robertbmeyer01
    robertbmeyer01 Posts: 5
    Gotcha. Thanks for the information.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    With my trainer I just focus on intensity and time (the Sufferfest videos will give you a kick *kitten* workout and you'll hit the road in great shape next spring).

    If you haven't already done so pick up a training tire, trainers will shred a regular tire pretty quickly and training tires are a lot cheaper.

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