It’s more accurate

One of the main reasons to use the turbo trainer in the winter – and at any time of year – is the ability to train with far more accuracy than you might be able to outdoors.

“By training on the turbo you can measure and plan your training more accurately, because there are less variables on the turbo like adverse weather and traffic,” says Tim Kennaugh, coach of the JLT Condor team.

“This means you can compare your performance more accurately to previous sessions or tests, making it a great tool for monitoring progress.”

– Five of the best turbo trainer sessions –

It’s the specificity of a turbo trainer that appeals to Rule 5 Cycle Coaching’s Ian Jenner too, with the turbo ideal for packing in short, sharp interval sessions which ensure you get plenty of bang for your training buck. 

“Its great for interval sessions,” says Jenner. “You can fully concentrate on working to the exact heart rate or wattage [if you use a power meter or smart trainer] and that makes each session high-quality.”

Kennaugh also points out the added benefit that, should something come up while you’re on the road, it can take time to get back and in a position to deal with it.

– High intensity training vs. base training –

Being on a turbo in the garage means you can literally hop off and deal with it quickly – perfect if issues like childcare are relevant to you and you’re short on training time.

It’s far more time-efficient

Not only is the turbo more convenient, allowing you to jump on the trainer at a whim, it’s also more time-efficient. Maximising your training time, especially in short winter days, is ever more important for cyclists with busy lifestyles and the turbo allows you to train effectively and get fit for summer, without leading your home.

“If like most riders, you don’t live the life of a pro cyclist and have to squeeze your training in around work and family commitments, the turbo is ideal for getting quality training in after work,” says Kennaugh.  

“Out on the road you will inevitably spend 10-15 per cent of your ride freewheeling or stopping at junctions or traffic lights, interrupting your efforts.

– How to make the most of a turbo trainer session –

“An hour on the turbo means you will likely pedal for around 99 per cent of the time, so you’re making the most of the time you’re on the turbo, as well as the session you’re doing.”

It’s more interactive than ever

The days of sitting and spinning on the turbo while staring on the wall are long gone. With the rise of new interactive platforms like Zwift, and subscriptions services like TrainerRoad, as well as the software packages provided by smart trainer manufacturers, you can almost literally be transported away to a far away place to do your turbo session.

– Beginner’s guide: everything you need to know about Zwift –

“These days you can ride with friends, celebrities, ex-pros on these virtual platforms,” Jenner says. “And now it’s even more interesting, especially with smart trainers that can adapt to the terrain the software is visually displaying.

“It pushes training to a new level of performance and interactivity – so if turbo training has previously felt boring to you, it’s time to embrace the change and liven things up.

– Buyer’s guide: smart turbo trainers – 

“Even better, you can do this on your summer bike with only a training wheel. That takes away the need to buy a dedicated winter bike, and the need to clean your summer bike while it’s indoors. It all adds up to saving you money in the process.”

More time, more money, greater efficiency – nobody will say no to that, surely?