A stationary bike trainer (often referred to as “turbo trainer”) allows you to use a normal bicycle indoors, without moving forward. They are typically used for cycle training during winter months in moderate climates, when foul and unpredictable weather would otherwise make it difficult to maintain a regular training schedule. Although stationary indoor trainers can be relatively inexpensive they are typically used by athletes who take their cycling seriously – while race cyclists can find alternate means of exercise a stationary bike trainer allows them to properly train using the correct muscles and posture for the greatest effect.
In addition to competitive training stationary bike trainers can be used as an alternative to conventional exercise bikes, with one of the major benefits being that there is no requirement to store both an exercise bike and a road or mountain bike. As with an ordinary exercise bike you are able train anywhere, providing you have a reasonable amount of free space, and because some trainers are extremely quiet you can even watch TV while you train!
Types of Stationary Bike Trainer
It’s worth noting however that stationary bike trainers shouldn’t be confused with bike rollers, which don’t support your bike in any way and require substantially more skill to use (bike rollers basically involve you free-riding on moving rollers). In contrast, a stationary bike trainer works by supporting your bike in an upright position and providing rear wheel resistance by way of a frame mounted mechanism. The actual means of applying resistance varies according to model, but trainers can generally be categorized by the method they employ to provide resistance, with each of these methods having it’s own strengths and weaknesses:
- In a wind trainer, the roller drives fan blades that create air resistance. These are typically the least expensive and noisiest trainer mechanisms.
- Magnetic trainers (or “mag” trainers) create resist by employing electro-magnets. These models are popular as they are a good mid-range option, being moderately expensive and slightly noisy. Because they use electro-magnetism many mag trainers include controls that allow you to change the level of resistance during a training session without dismounting to readjust the trainer.
- Higher end trainers use liquid filled chambers to create resistance. These “fluid trainers” are the most expensive models, but they are also the quietest.
In addition to the various resistance mechanisms some trainers include further distinguishing features that may or may not appeal, depending on your requirements. For example, some models provide computer connectivity of varying degrees, allowing you to connect your trainer to a PC. Your PC can then record the various metrics of individual training schedules for future reference and comparison. The most sophisticated trainer models also include “virtual reality” software that allows the programmatic control of the training session itself. These VR models of stationary bike trainer can use computer-controlled variable resistance to simulate differing terrains, allowing athletes to train for conditions that their local terrain would not normally allow.