Before the Coronavirus, I never considered getting a turbo trainer. Although poor weather sometimes thwarted my weekend rides, the spin bike at the gym was an adequate replacement until I could get back out on the roads.
When lockdown hit, the possibility of being trapped inside- whether that be due to increased regulations or self-quarantine- suddenly became very real. I took to the web to look for things that would keep me motivated and moving if the worst case scenario came to fruition.
I wasn't alone. In fact, in the first lockdown of March 2020, Sigma Sports reported a 977 percent increase in UK turbo trainer sales. By the time I'd done my research and got my head around the hefty price tag, I'd missed the boat and they'd all been snapped up.
Fortunately, the good weather got me through Lockdown 1.0 and our freedom to exercise outdoors remained. That being said, Lockdown 2.0 was a different scenario altogether. Light summer days were replaced by incessant rain, and early darkness meant weekday rides were out of the question. When I got an email telling me the turbo trainer I had my eye on was back in stock, I pounced at the opportunity.
The turbo trainer
After a considerable amount of research, I oped for the Wahoo Kickr Snap turbo trainer. Having heard people rave about Zwift, I was keen to have a smart turbo trainer that would work with the software, adjusting gradient and monitoring my speed and power output. The Kicker Snap seemed like the most cost effective option (albeit still very expensive) and had generally positive reviews.
Zwift
Zwift was one of the main reasons I decided to get a turbo trainer. Not only was my Strava inundated with Zwift rides as my friends took to their living rooms for a spin, but everyone I spoke to had only good things to say about the virtual cycling world. The software includes training plans, races and group rides and all you need to do is hook up your bike to a smart turbo trainer. Once you've opened up Zwift on your device, you're suddenly cycling with thousands of other riders around the world and passing breathtaking scenery at every turn.
What has been good?
Once the trainer was finally all set up (which was no small feat, see next section), I have really begun to see the value of a turbo trainer. Logging onto Zwift, I have discovered a new found motivation, something that had been dwindling during lockdown. The structured training programmes on Zwift allow me to challenge myself and compliments my pre-existing workout routine. When the weather outside is bad, I feel rather smug as I speed along mountain flanked roads in Zwift's virtual reality 'Watopia'. Despite not leaving the living room, the turbo trainer has given me an escape from the monotonous flow of 'lockdown life' and been a godsend through the winter months.
What hasn't been so good?
Getting the turbo trainer set up was not a walk in the park. Having opted for the cheaper smart trainer option of a wheel-on turbo trainer, I was not prepared for the additional costs that would soon stack up. A spare wheel, a turbo type, a wheel cassette, a cadence sensor... it seemed like they kept on coming. Even once I'd upgraded my gear, the set up of the turbo and Zwift wasn't very intuitive, and I had many a frustrating attempted ride at the beginning where the turbo wasn't syncing properly, negatively impacting both my mood and the training session.
In hindsight, I'd have invested more money upfront and purchased a direct drive turbo trainer, probably the Wahoo Kickr Core. Although the Kickr Snap seemed cheaper initially, I think I've probably broke even on cost due to the additional purchases I needed to make to get it functioning adequatly. I'd have rather invested upfront and saved myself the hassle and stress.
The verdict- is it worth it?
If you're a cycling enthusiast who hasn't been able to get outside as much as you'd like and has some money to spend, a turbo trainer is absolutely worth it. Coupled with Zwift, it allows you to maintain a challenging, structured and engaging workout plan and is as close to riding outdoors as you can get. However, I'd recommend doing your research beforehand and being aware of all associated costs.
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