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Turbo v Road training

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  • November 10, 2015 at 8:54 am #25034
    CXR94Di2

    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?

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  • November 10, 2015 at 9:27 pm #862815
    0
    Matt eaton

    It’s a question of time for
    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.

    November 10, 2015 at 7:43 pm #862813
    0
    CXR94Di2

    Bkool is my fix
    Bkool is my fix

    November 10, 2015 at 5:19 pm #862811
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    ianrobo

    same here, yes Zwift gives

    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.

    November 10, 2015 at 5:04 pm #862809
    0
    Beefy

    Big trainer road fan 

    Big trainer road fan 

    November 10, 2015 at 3:03 pm #862807
    0
    CXR94Di2

    It fair to say my goals have
    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

    November 10, 2015 at 1:02 pm #862805
    0
    ianrobo

    I think it is fair to say it

    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.

    November 10, 2015 at 12:23 pm #862803
    0
    Fish_n_Chips

    Both , but depends on your

    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.

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