Rigid Raider said:Best solution is a standard trainer used with a heart rate monitor, you can then train at the optimum rate for building fitness or burning fat.
Rigid Raider said:Buy a second hand turbo trainer and make sure it has the optional bucket in which to store your brain while you work out because you'll die of boredom otherwise.
At least with a heart rate monitor you can amuse yourself by setting yourself targets and sprinting etc.
After a year you'll realise the trainer has only been used twice and you'll re-sell it to somebody else.
That's surely going to affect your pulse rate, though ...jimboalee said:To kill boredom, set up your laptop on a table nearby and play that porn you borrowed off the guy at work.
Rigid Raider said:Buy a second hand turbo trainer and make sure it has the optional bucket in which to store your brain while you work out because you'll die of boredom otherwise.
After a year you'll realise the trainer has only been used twice and you'll re-sell it to somebody else.
jimboalee said:Coruskate is so right.
There is no reliable correlation between HR and power.
It is however your body's condition on the day.
It's difficult to get repeatability between sessions.
If you wind the resistance up so your legs are just starting to burn, that will indicate your muscles are doing something.
( Lactic threshold ).
If you eat correct before and after every session, I promise ( I don't do that very often ) you will improve.
If you don't feel your legs burning, you won't improve.
Crackle said:Can't remember which but some are calibrated to tell you the wattage at a certain speed and resistance. Check out Cycleops, who do a range of good trainers but they ain't cheap.
I find a trainer invaluable for keeping going when you otherwise might not. Urky weather, injury, illness etc... Others use them for intervals and things. Very easy to stay within zones and target your effort.
But they are boring: Short and intense seems to be the least boring. Stock up on vids and music.