Turbo trainer and HIIT

[Rusty Nails]

I have had a turbo trainer set up for a few months and have failed miserably in using it to improve my fitness.
Anything more than 25/30 mins is so mind-numbing that I give up (basic turbo, no screen).

This past week I have tried a couple of HIIT sessions of 30 mins and find it reasonably bearable.

Does anyone here use their set-up solely for HIIT, has it helped their fitness, and what sort of programme/intervals do they use?

 

[si_c]

When I was commuting 5 days a week that was giving me the baseline fitness I needed, so most of the time I used the turbo two or three times a week for interval training. I was using Zwift though and some of the sub-60minute workouts they have available.

 

[CXRAndy]

25/30 mins is so mind-numbing that I give up (basic turbo, no screen

This is the whole reason. An interactive setup will completely transform the experience.

To have interactive experience, you will need a smart turbo, PC/tablet/apple tv, a screen and internet connection.

Zwift, Trainer Road, Bigringvr, Road grand tours.

The definition of High intensity it is very short in duration 30mins to max an hour

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I only use the turbo for intensity and only if I can’t get out on some local hills because of ice etc. I will max a session at an hour including warm up and cool down.

 

[Gabriel203]

Nice

 

[BurningLegs]

I have had a turbo trainer set up for a few months and have failed miserably in using it to improve my fitness.
Anything more than 25/30 mins is so mind-numbing that I give up (basic turbo, no screen).

This past week I have tried a couple of HIIT sessions of 30 mins and find it reasonably bearable.

Does anyone here use their set-up solely for HIIT, has it helped their fitness, and what sort of programme/intervals do they use?

An easy way in to this is YouTube videos.

Have a search on there for “GCN class” and you will find some spin class type guided workouts. Some with music and some without (so you can bring your own).

The next step up from that is dedicated apps like Zwift etc but to get the best out of those you’ll really need a smart trainer.

 

[campagman]

search for the 'hour of power turbo session'

 

[cyberknight]

as a convert to zwift having said i would avoid it ....

 

[Rusty Nails]

Thanks for the replies. My set up is in the shed at the bottom of the garden...plenty of room but no power, and I am, in reality, never going to get Zwift or anything similar, nor am I going to have a regular indoor setup.

All very basic I'm afraid, so I am going to have to come up with a no-frills interval programme of short periods of high activity interspersed with periods of cooling-down.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

My TACX smart turbo is self powering and doesn’t need plugging in. I use it out on the patio. It would work in your shed. But sadly they don’t seem to sell it anymore.

 

[cyberknight]

i used to take a tablet with youtube videos downloaded onto it when i was in the shed , plenty of ones to choose from

 

[Drdbadonkey]

Zwift has a 7 day free trial - enough time to decide whether it’s for you. Check whether you mobile phone is a Zwift supported device.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Zwift has a 7 day free trial - enough time to decide whether it’s for you. Check whether you mobile phone is a Zwift supported device.

No need to check. It isn't. It's ten years old and is not even internet supported.

I am a lost cause.

 

[Peter Salt]

No need to check. It isn't. It's ten years old and is not even internet supported.

I am a lost cause.

Nah, you're not mate.

Your local CashConverters or something of that sort is your friend. I got parts of my Zwift setup from these kind of places and it works great. If there's an issue you can usually give it back and get your cash back.

And on Zwift in general: It's a marvel! Give it a try and you won't believe what you've been missing I tells ya.