Why do people use turbos?

[Rhythm Thief]

Following on from Buggi's thread about possible damage to turbo - mounted bikes, why do people use these? (This is a genuine question, by the way.) Is it purely to avoid riding in the rain, or does turbo riding bring fitness benefits that outdoor riding doesn't?
I've never used one.

 

[Noodley]

maybe ask in "health and fitness"..

 

[Rhythm Thief]

But there are more people in the cafe.

 

[Noodley]

But there are more people in the cafe.

Eating cake....

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Alright, Mister Pedantic. There you go.

 

[Noodley]

Alright, Mister Pedantic. There you go.

OK, Mr Mod...

 

[longers]

I have a friend who used to prefer an exercise bike with the curtains drawn on a sunny day than go outside on a real bike.

 

[Noodley]

I have not used my turbo this year, but I did use it a few years ago when I was very fit...it helped get me very fit.

I would not use it now to "get me fit" but it can...

 

[longers]

I see what happened but this were in Cafe when I started typing

Ignore my reply please as it's not relevant to here.

 

[Odyssey]

It must be nice being able to step off when you feel like it and be back home...

I think that's a great motivator in getting on it in the first place.

 

[longers]

As an example, if someone were to have broken their leg while skiing then a turbo would be an excellent way to being bike fit again.

 

[Dave5N]

How come you can use your superpowers (mod-style) to do that when you can't even carry out a simple tidying up request from a humble, ordinary -yet-prolific user?

 

[Steve Austin]

Is this a serious question?

Serious answer:
Its easier to plan regulated routines for training.
Its a lot less hassle than riding outside.
Can train all weathers.
No restrictions on times of day ie i used to do an hour before work, a roadride at 5/6 o'clock in the dark with sleepy drivers isn't my idea of fun.
Can listen to music/watch films whilst training.

Lots of good reasons for Turbo training

 

[yogi]

Here's another good reason to use a turbo-trainer - when my wife's working I can still train and look after our child. Can't go and do intervals with my daughter just yet.

 

[Panter]

I must be a bit weird in that I actually quite like my turbo trainer

Mainly for all the reasons Steve Austin gives above. At the moment I'm doing 4 weeks base training so I can't let my HR go above 126 which is impossible to achieve on the road for me, especially if I spot a distant challenger

When thats up I'll be back to interval training which is so much easier to control on the turbo. When the evenings are finally lighter I will use it less but it won't be put away for the summer by any means.

The main thing is time though, with having a demanding job and young family I just can't get enough road miles in.