• Training
    • Injury Prevention
    • Training Tips
  • How To
    • Bike Fit
    • Gear
  • Nutrition
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Weight Loss
  • Repair
  • Reviews
  • Stories
    • Funny Stories
    • Jokes
    • Quotes
    • Videos
    • Funny Videos

I Love Bicycling

I Love Bicycling is a website that is geared towards cycling for beginners with road cycling tips, training articles, nutrition tips, weight loss, how to’s and bike repair articles.

How to Beat Indoor Trainer Boredom

October 4, 2013 by Lee Agur

Indoor trainer - sometimes you are forced to cycle indoors
Indoor trainer – sometimes you are forced to cycle indoors

How I Beat the Indoor Trainer!

Watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy for the 10th time is fun and all, but you have to switch it up on an indoor trainer to keep it fresh and “exciting”.

Get Free Email Updates!

Signup now and receive an email once we publish new content.

We will never give away, trade or sell your email address. You can unsubscribe at any time.

The Commercial Break Game

It is simple and free, every time a commercial break comes on… you sprint! Commercials last about 2 to 3 minutes so plan an effort that you can sustain for that period of time. I generally watch 1 or 2 shows while playing. This will build strength and ability up short climbs. You can also play this in reverse! Hard efforts during your show and easy efforts during the commercials. If you play this way you may even learn to love commercials.

Intensity

I mix in as many intervals as I possibly can so I do not have to be on the indoor trainer more than an hour. Lots of 2-5 minute max efforts. (All out sprint 15 second sprints don’t work well on a trainer)

Test Yourself

Every few weeks I test myself with a 10 minute warm up, 20 minute max sustainable effort, 5 minute easy, 20 minute max sustainable effort, 5 minute cool down. I have a power meter on my bike so I can see if I can hold a certain power for each 20 minute segment; however, if you put a cycling computer on (non GPS) you can see what speed you can hold or how far you can go in each 20 minute segment. Remember to set up your indoor bike trainer the same way every time and inflate tires to similar pressure.

Secret weapons

Ok… so I mentioned what I do at the start of the winter season above, but when I start getting bored of that I turn to cycling videos. There are so many out there, a few I recommend are Charmichael Training Systems indoor trainer workout, ERock Rocks! Indoor trainer workout, and I have heard great things about sufferfest videos (my next purchase). Ask friends which cycling videos worked for them and why or read reviews on different videos before purchasing. Everyone is looking for something different.

Outdoors

Truthfully, I can’t survive the whole winter indoor training, I get on my mountain bike and bike to the ski hill.

Subscription

If you liked this post subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of the page to receive more like it!

Learn More:

  • Winter DoldromsWinter Doldroms
  • Garmin Winter TrainingGarmin Winter Training
  • Proper Cadence Cycling!Proper Cadence Cycling!
  • Cornering TipsCornering Tips
  • Cycling Training With PowerCycling Training With Power
  • Cycling Aerodynamics – How Much Can It Really Help?Cycling Aerodynamics – How Much Can It Really Help?

Filed Under: Training Tagged With: biking, cycling, Cycling Dvd's, I love cycling, indoor cycling dvd's, Indoor trainer, Indoor training, training, winter training

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Latest Articles

Who Invented the Bicycle?

October 6, 2020 By Sarah Lauzé

What size bike do I need?

October 4, 2020 By Sarah Lauzé

The Number of Calories Burned Cycling

October 1, 2020 By Sarah Lauzé

The Benefits of Cycling for Your Mental Health

September 9, 2020 By Sarah Lauzé

Symptoms of Bad Bike Fit

September 8, 2020 By Sarah Lauzé

How to Choose the Best Cycling Jersey

September 2, 2020 By Sarah Lauzé

Useful Info

  • Contact
  • Finally, A Global Cycling Club That Is Focused On Community And Love Of Cycling!
  • Share Your Story!
  • Terms And Conditions Of Use
  • Welcome to I Love Bicycling
  • What Happened When I Stretched Every Day For a Month

Recent Posts

  • Who Invented the Bicycle?
  • What size bike do I need?
  • The Number of Calories Burned Cycling
  • The Benefits of Cycling for Your Mental Health
  • Symptoms of Bad Bike Fit

Search I Love Bicycling

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • RSS
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in