To Trainer or Not to Trainer

I’m a huge advocate for just plain getting outside. There really aren’t many things I would rather do than jump on my mountain bike and ride some sweet trails in the desert or the woods. Breathing in the fresh air, hearing the quietness of not being in the city, catching sight of the local flora. fauna, and funky rock formations—it's just hard to beat getting “out there.” Outside is a happy place, and countless studies have cited the benefits, both physically and mentally, of unplugging and communing with nature. 

However, getting out there isn’t always the easiest thing to accomplish. Sometimes the clock doesn’t have enough hours on it to fit in a ride. Or perhaps the weather is particularly nasty for a stretch. Then there is the time change and the shorter days of winter. And the kids need to get to soccer and gymnastics (why aren't they just riding bikes?). Or you need to swing by the bank, grocery store, and pharmacy on the way home. Phew! No wonder people have a hard time finding time to ride their bikes!

What I’m saying is there are a lot of things that can get in the way of going outside and enjoying the swish and twist of singletrack under your tires. That's where the indoor trainer comes in (cue ominous music). For those of you who are not in the know, an indoor trainer is a device to which you connect the rear of your bike. It offers resistance to your pedaling, making precise workouts doable in the comfort of your living room. It also is the most vile machine ever invented when compared with the joy of riding outside.

That is, unless you open your mind to the type of workout it provides and use a couple of tricks to help you keep your sanity while sprinting towards your television knowing full well, however fast you pedal, you will never get there! I speak from experience.

The first time I rode a trainer, I vowed never, ever to do it again. I thought I would do an hour of intervals (a few minutes at a fast pace; a couple minutes of rest; repeat), and so there I was: just me, the bike on the trainer ready to go nowhere fast, and a clock. Do you really know how long an hour is? I’ll tell you, it's a lot longer when you stare at a clock, especially when you are watching that $%@! secondhand creeping its way around the face—and digital is no better! Many times I thought my clock had broken because there was no way a minute could take that long! Also, my first trainer was very loud, so I couldn’t listen to music or watch a movie as some people will do (a problem solved on most modern trainers). It was only me, staring at that second hand slowing a little more with each rotation.

I swore trainers off for a while after that. I asked, “Why would I want to subject myself to that? I’ll just ride outside.” But, aha! As I said, life gets in the way, and soon, I was needing to get in shape for an event. That’s when I discovered YouTube training videos. I upgraded to a quieter trainer and started “riding along” with cyclist-tailored workouts. Sure, riding outside is forever more fun than a trainer ride, but there is something to be said for a disciplined workout that can be hard to get on a real ride. And studies show interval training is the best way to get in shape if you’re strapped for time. 

Is a trainer right for you, or will it make you question all that you hold dear? Hard to say. But I will say this: much like its real-world counterpart, it packs a nice endorphin buzz. Now get out and ride—outdoors or in.