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forum
Turbo v Road training
Well its that time of year where you have hung up your outdoor kit and setup a turbo or are still braving the howling wind and rain.
I an canvassing opinions as to which routines, duration and frequency you use the turbo or still go out on the road.
I have been using a turbo mainly since May this year. Prior to May I spent some 15 weeks off my feet due to a foot injury and found the turbo invaluable in getting my fitness back. After 2 months I was able to enter 10 TT. After 4 months I was able to hold on the club run for 50 miles.
My turbo sessions include 3 or 4 workouts a week, with rest days off the bike doing weights and stretching on rest of my body.
I initially just did any type of riding to get my general fitness back. Then since September I have been doing intervals mainly. I noticed a jump in power, but after 2 months I hit a plateau and began to feel stale and lose power. I have taken a full week off and started again doing tempo rides(1-2hrs) which I'll do for a month before introducing intervals again.
My findings are turbo sessions are far superior in building fitness/speed/power. They have no direct comparison in speed, but if I am getting faster on the turbo it will translate to the road. I was never able to train as intensely on the road, no matter how long I went out.
Do you get more out of turbo or road?
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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7 comments
It's a question of time for me. If I've got a couple of hours available I'll almost always go outside. I don't mind the rain, wind out cold but I do avoid snow, ice and fog. If I've only got an hour the turbo wins.
Bkool is my fix
same here, yes Zwift gives you a bit of fun but TR is so damn simple and does negate the need the for an expensive PM.
Big trainer road fan
It fair to say my goals have moved since my accident. Last year it was about going further albeit a little faster eg cycling tours. Now I get buzz from pushing my self to attain more speed over shorter distance. It does help enormously with medium distance, I was pleasantly surprised that I could stay with the club run despite losing months of training. I still look like a wounded animal off the bike limping to the cafe mid outing haha
I think it is fair to say it is what suits you.
my current training is about 75% on the trainer and 25% on the road for the variety. What turbo training allows you is stable conditions, no traffic, no traffic lights. So when doing a seweet spot session I can stick to the watts as prescribed.
Both , but depends on your goal.
I've trained people to lose weight on the turbo using 20-30 mins x3 a week and dlaversge weight loss was 15kg and a bonus was that outdoor cycle ability improved especially hills and average speed.
I am wimp when it is raining I run back in and use the turbo but a dry day without black ice and I'll be there.