Regular cycling improves your cardiovascular fitness and burns a significant amount of calories. A person weighing 155 lbs. can burn a little over 700 calories cycling vigorously for one hour. However, extreme weather can sometimes prevent you from cycling outdoors. Thankfully, you can continue to reap benefits from cycling by transforming your outside bike into an indoor exercise bike, with the use of a trainer. A person weighing 155 lbs. can still burn upwards of 740 calories during an hour of vigorous cycling on a stationary bike.
Step 1
Consider your needs and ask if you are trying to simulate various riding conditions to stay fit for racing or simply wanting to burn calories. Also, noise may be an issue for you and some trainers are louder than others.
Step 2
Decide on how much you want to spend for a trainer. Depending on your needs and preferences, the price can range from a bit more than $100 dollars to more than a couple of thousand, at time of publication.
Step 3
Review the specifications for wind trainers. They simulate wind resistance and are the least expensive of the trainers. According to the Circle City Bicycles website, they are not very popular because they are noisy. However, if noise is not an issue for you, this could be an inexpensive option.
Step 4
Research the magnetic trainers. According to the Beginnertriathelete.com website, magnetic trainers can simulate different types of resistance that you can encounter on the road, such as climbing and sprinting. It is a much quieter ride than the wind trainer but is more expensive.
Step 5
Look into fluid trainers. These are what the serious cyclists use when training. This is quiet and best simulates the various obstacles you meet on the road. It is also comparatively more expensive, says the Cycling-Review.com website.
Step 6
Choose your trainer. Considering your budget, your cycling needs and the pluses and minuses of each type of trainer, purchase the best one that will work for you.
Step 7
Assemble your trainer and add your bike to it. Follow the simple instructions that come with your trainer to avoid a dangerous situation.
Tips and Warnings
- Read the reviews for the types of bike trainers you want to purchase to get a bigger picture of the pluses and minuses people are discovering for the particular brands.
- Always consult your health care provider before engaging in a new fitness program.
Things You'll Need
- Bicycle trainer
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