| I like training outside, especially on the bike. I like the | | | | bike, so you can really focus on your pedaling |
| scenery, I like the wind rushing against my face, and I | | | | efficiency, power production (if you have a power |
| like going fast. Although I enjoy the feeling of being | | | | meter), and exertion levels. Riding outdoors usually |
| outdoors, I have noticed my workouts are not nearly | | | | involves frequent stopping for lights, cars, and many will |
| as effective as when I train indoors on a | | | | take it easy on the downhills. Indoor training eliminates |
| CompuTrainer, or a spin bike with a power meter. A | | | | this and ensures you get the best workout you can in |
| one-hour ride indoors for me is comparable to two to | | | | the shortest time possible. |
| three hours riding outside. | | | | 3. Get better, faster |
| Training outside can be fun and there is definitely a | | | | What would happen if every time a body builder went |
| need for it in any good training plan, but those that train | | | | to the gym, he did not really have a plan besides |
| exclusively outdoors are missing out on opportunities to | | | | knowing he would lift for about an hour? Would he get |
| increase their cycling performance. When you ride | | | | stronger and bigger over time? Of course. Could he |
| outside, there are many variables that can keep you | | | | get bigger and stronger in less time if he had more |
| from having an optimal workout. It is also very easy to | | | | structure? Absolutely. Obviously the goal here is not to |
| not push yourself as hard as you should be for | | | | get bigger, but it is to get stronger, faster, and more |
| maximum performance gains. So what is so beneficial | | | | efficient. All the time I here people say, "I have to go |
| about indoor training anyway? | | | | ride fill in the blank miles today. "Don't get me wrong, |
| 1. Controlled environment | | | | you do need to make sure you get enough miles in to |
| Indoor training allows a rider to control their | | | | get your body used to the distance, but people rely on |
| surroundings. No extreme temperatures, cars, wind, flat | | | | "the miles" too much. Just because someone goes out |
| tires, and stoplights means you can get a great | | | | and rides 60 miles does not mean they got a great |
| workout in, every time. It is also a lot safer. You can | | | | workout. It is very possible to have a five or ten mile |
| buy, or create, workouts with sets and intervals that | | | | workout that is much more intense and benefits the |
| work on specific parts of your cycling repertoire, such | | | | athlete more than a long and slow 60 miler. As with |
| as endurance, speed, or power. Since your | | | | most things, quality is better than quantity. |
| environment is always the same, it is very easy to | | | | Training indoors allows the athlete to have structure |
| track your workouts week-to-week and see if you | | | | and really focus on what they want to accomplish. It |
| are getting better, and if so, in what areas. It is very | | | | may get a little boring, but there are ways around that. |
| difficult to do a structured workout outdoors with | | | | Crank up some music on your stereo or MP3 player. |
| constantly changing terrain. Even comparing your times | | | | Dislike training alone? Take a spin class. If you hate |
| on the exact same bike route can be skewed by | | | | staring at the wall, look into getting a CompuTrainer, or |
| changes in weather, stoplight sequences, flats, wind | | | | get some quality cycling DVDs that can guide you |
| etc. Just like track workouts for running, indoor cycling | | | | through a workout. Keep training only outdoors if you |
| sessions are an important part of any athletes training | | | | are just doing it for fun. If you really want to be a |
| plan. | | | | better cyclist, consider adding a healthy dose of indoor |
| 2. Save time | | | | training to your training schedule. What better time to |
| Training indoors is more intense than riding outside | | | | train indoors than the winter off-season? |
| since there are no distractions. It is just you and your | | | | |