Why Every Cyclist Needs a Smart Trainer: A Beginner’s Guide
Cycling indoors is often seen as a last resort—something you only do when the weather leaves you no other choice. However immersive apps, racing and technological improvements have changed that and riding indoors doesnt have to be a chore. If you’ve ever thought about getting a trainer or maybe you already have one but it is collecting dust in the corner of your garage here are some reasons why its worth riding indoors in 2025.
My London KICKR set up being used to dial an aero posistion
What is a Smart Trainer?
Just to clear it up, a smart trainer is a turbo trainer with built-in sensors and resistance control that connects to apps like Zwift, Wahoo X, and TrainerRoad. Unlike more “old school” trainers, which provide fixed resistance via a manual lever or preset, a smart trainer adjusts automatically based on terrain, gradient, or structured workout targets. You can ride up virtual climbs, join group rides, and track your power output—all without leaving your home.
The Benefits of Using a Smart Trainer
Ride When You Want, No Matter the Weather
One of the biggest perks of a smart trainer is that it removes weather as an excuse. No more worrying about icy roads, headwinds, or getting soaked in a downpour. With a smart trainer, you can ride whenever it suits you—before work, late at night, or even for a quick session between meetings.
The safety aspect of riding on a trainer is rapidly growing as a reason to skip taking the bike outside. Between 2010 and 2018, cyclist fatalities in the EU fluctuated between 1,900 and 2,100 per year, a scary and growing number. It may be common sense but as you get stronger in training, you get faster and speed can sadly lead to difficulty reacting to dangers in the road be it cars, potholes or otherwise.
More Effective Training in Less Time
On the road, you deal with traffic, junctions, and terrain that might not suit structured efforts. We all have to over quote on how long a ride is going to be to a loved one after you factor in stop. On a smart trainer, every minute of your ride is focused. Whether you're doing intervals, endurance rides, or recovery spins, the controlled environment lets you hit your targets without interruption. If you’ve got an hour to train, you’ll get a full hour of quality work in.
Data That Actually Helps You Improve
Power, cadence, heart rate—smart trainers track it all. You can measure progress over time, fine-tune your training zones, and get real insight into your performance. Unlike speed or distance, which vary based on conditions, power output is an objective measure of fitness, making it easier to see real improvements. Keep your tough training indoors and leave the outside for really enjoying the bike and switching off from the numbers of it all. If you do want to keep training outside, prices of power meters have come down to the level where you can buy an entry level trainer and a single sided power meter for at or under 1000 GBP or Euros.
Riding Indoors Doesn’t Have to Be Boring
The common misconception is that indoor riding is boring, this misconception traces back to the onset of smart trainers when you could just set a power number on a bike computer and ride away. These days apps like Zwift let you ride through virtual roads, join group rides, and race other cyclists in real time. If you want to find the sweet spot between immersion and a focused workout you have platforms like TrainerRoad or Wahoo X keep things focused, making indoor training as engaging as it is effective.
Choosing the Right Smart Trainer
While we are here we may as well cover the different types of trainer. Choosing the right type is key for getting the most out of the trainer for yourself.
Direct Drive vs. Wheel-On – This is soon to be a unnecessary question as wheel on trainers become less and less popular. Direct drive trainers replace your rear wheel for a more realistic ride feel and accurate power readings. Wheel-on trainers are more affordable and easier to set up but less precise. As the prices of direct drive trainers has dropped over the past 5 years they have rapidly become the standard choice for those in the market.
Budget Considerations – Entry-level models offer basic connectivity and resistance control, while high-end options have features like road feel simulation and ultra-quiet operation, greater accuracy and wifi connectivity.
Compatibility – Not all bikes can be used with a turbo trainer so it is worth checking both with the manufacturer of your bike, especially if you have a more niche model or brand. Some bikes will also require specific adapters, usually this is based on the hub and axle type of the bike, check before you buy to avoid any setup headaches.
Getting Started
Once you’ve got your trainer, it’s time to set it up:
An interimn set up I had before moving to Spain!
Find a good spot – The obvious thing to do is find somewhere with decent ventilation and enough space to move freely but something often overlooked is ideally having a window in your eyeline. Its widely reported that having a window close to you when working in an office improves productivity, mental health and sleep quality, so whos to say it won't do the same when working out on your turbo.
Use a fan – This should be another obvious one but indoor riding can get hot, and a powerful fan makes a huge difference especially if perched close to that window in point 1.
Pick the right app – Whether you want virtual group rides or structured training, there’s an app for you. Make use of free trials and demos to figure out what you like and don’t be afraid to switch it up now and then if one platform gets stale! There is a wealth of youtube videos covering e-racing and training in detail aswell, which much like online gaming videos, can help you to get a feel for the experience before you commit.
Start with shorter sessions – Even if you're used to long outdoor rides, indoor efforts can feel more intense. You are never off the pedals during an indoor ride which is one of the reasons why the training effects are so great but it also makes a 2 hour ride feel more like a 3 hour ride at times. Ease in and build up gradually over time so you don't grow to associate indoor rides with always being too hard.
The Best Training Investment You’ll Make
A smart trainer won’t replace the feeling of an open road, but it will make you a better cyclist. More structure, more consistency, and no weather interruptions mean better fitness gains in less time. Whether you’re training for an event or just looking to stay fit through the winter, a smart trainer is one of the best investments you can make in your cycling.
