Indoor Training

More accessible now than ever, indoor training has found a place in the home (or gym) workout routine of all kinds of cyclists, whether you’re a 35-hour-a-week WorldTour pro or keeping fit for a semi-regular Sunday spin. We spoke to pro riders from EF Education First and CANYON//SRAM to hear about their relationship with the turbo.

Ella Harris

CANYON//SRAM

Ella Harris turned pro in 2018 thanks to a turbo trainer. Returning to her native New Zealand after a season of racing domestically in the US, Harris entered a competition online in which the grand prize was a pro contract. After impressing on the turbo, the twenty-one-year-old was invited to join in a CANYON//SRAM training camp. Harris distinguished herself on the road too, and a pro contract was hers.

Four months into her career, the New Zealander broke her collarbone. In two weeks she was back on the bike racing, thanks in part to the trainer – no downtime meant no loss of fitness.

“It was always a huge ambition to reach a high level with my cycling but I'm not sure I would have made it into a UCI professional team, especially one as notable as CANYON//SRAM, without the trainer. I'll be forever grateful for the opportunity.”

“I would definitely wear the sleeveless t-shirt for training and racing indoors. It's not as tight as a baselayer, and far nicer than wearing a regular cycling jersey indoors. You can't put a price on ventilation and comfort when the going gets tough on the turbo.”

“As a fan of cycling caps I really liked the mesh cap – it’s good for sweat wicking and keeping hair out of the way. The fit was nice and comfortable, even for me with an awkwardly large head.”

Lawson Craddock

EF Education First Pro Cycling

Lawson Craddock, now entering his sixth year as a pro rider, has weathered his share of injuries – last year the Texan rode 20 stages of the Tour with a broken scapula. For the twenty-seven-year-old, the indoor trainer has been a road back to fitness, a way to spend more time with his growing family, and an invaluable training tool when conditions aren’t favourable for riding outside.

“Texas summers are so hot that long rides in the day really aren’t possible. I’ll go out in the morning when it’s cool, then use the trainer in the afternoon to get the intensity I couldn’t manage outside.”

“I love the sleeveless jersey, it’s really breathable. Normally I don’t wear a top on the trainer, but beside keeping you cool and dry, it also stops you sweating on the bike and the floor.”

“I’ve used the trainer to come back from injury, and to get good quality training in. It’s so efficient – you get on the bike and get to work immediately. You don’t have to worry about stop lights or traffic. You don’t have to look for specific roads to suit your intervals. Indoor training is becoming crucial.”