The Sports Den Shares Benefits of Smart Trainers
While the cold Wisconsin winter has arrived, that doesn’t mean that cyclists have to hang up their bikes or stick to traditional bike trainers.
With smart trainers, bicyclists have a much more entertaining way to keep their muscles in shape throughout the winter using their phone, tablet, laptop, or Smart TV to navigate a virtual world in real time.
“The smart trainer changes the resistance level based on the virtual world you are riding in, so when you are virtually riding in the mountains of France, it FEELS like you are riding up the mountains!” said VanDeHey. “I personally love it because it allows me to stay (or get) into cycling shape in the off season right from the comforts of my home and I can ride whenever I want.”
The smart trainers are an ideal way for busy women to fit in a workout, and are much more economical and convenient than a gym membership.
“I am a very busy woman, with three businesses, two kids and a husband to care for so riding during daylight hours just isn’t possible for me this time of year. I can ride after getting the kids to bed and get a great work out in,” VanDeHey said. “I love that the apps such as Zwift are interactive so I can ride with friends or I can encourage friends that I see are training or just completed a really great climb. It’s also cool because you can interact with riders from all over the world.”
Smart trainers can be used by cyclists at any level and simply make use of your existing road or mountain bike. “A lot of people think that these are just for the hard-core, avid cyclists, maybe they are intimidated about riding with our group rides in the summer, or they just hate spandex. That is the beauty of using a Smart trainer — you can ride on your own if you want without fear of feeling out of place, in whatever clothes you feel comfortable in, at a pace that you are comfortable with,” she said.
Virtual Riding and Fat Biking Provide Winter Options for Cyclists
