Thanks to the rise of smart trainers, roller training was able to shed its dusty image. The transformation has turned roller training from a mindless, masochistic exercise for masochists into a varied fitness strategy for everyone. In the off-season, indoor training is part of the programme for all professionals and many amateurs.
Over the winter months, this can add up to quite a few hours on the roller trainer. To ensure that the body stays fit, regenerates well and has an interesting training stimulus during training, there is a wide range of nutritional products on the market for special needs and "entertainment electronics" from hardware to software. We present ten exciting products for training in your own four walls.
1st salt in the soup: Kolb Pharma Schwedentabletten
Sodium is one of the most important electrolytes in the body and is sweated out in large quantities during indoor training. Athletes not only lose water through sweat, but also large amounts of electrolytes, which can result in exhaustion, muscle cramps or headaches. The Swedish tablets from Kolb-Pharma help to regulate the fluid balance, maintain muscle function and are also easy to take during intensive roller training workouts. 5,49 Euro (100 pieces) >> available here at a reduced price.
2nd magic potion: Xenofit Mineral Energy
With drink powder in a bottle, cyclists can keep going longer during roller training. In addition to carbohydrates, Xenofit Mineral Eenrgy also contains other useful minerals. Potassium and magnesium support nerves and muscles. Iron helps to transport oxygen. Vitamin C and zinc protect against oxidative stress. 13 Euro (10 x 36 g) >> available here.
3. recovery from the bag: Mnstry Recovery Shake
After training is before training. To help the body regenerate between the basic units on the roller trainer, cyclists can use the recovery shake from Mnstry. The proteins it contains contribute to muscle recovery and added carbohydrates accelerate the regeneration of liver glycogen. 35.90 Euro (1000 g)
4th Hygiene Set: Muc Off Indoor Training Kit
All that sweat during roller training is not only a huge mess, but can also damage the hardware. The Muc-Off Indoor Training Kit contains everything you need to keep your bike and equipment clean. A special hygiene cleaner is said to kill 99.99% of all bacteria after the training session. The seat cream can protect your bum. 59,99 Euro >> available here.
5. cooling unit: Elite Aria
The Elite Aria smart fan (test here) generates an airflow that not only cools during sweat-inducing indoor training sessions, but also simulates the airstream. The intelligent control system automatically adjusts the wind speed to the data from the training software. Depending on speed, performance or heart rate, the fan simulates up to 50 km/h. 290 Euro >> at Rosebikes or Bike Components available at a reduced price.
6. virtual mountains: Wahoo Kickr Climb
Roller training is most fun when it resembles "real" cycling. The Wahoo Kickr Climb can simulate an incline of up to 20% and a maximum gradient of -10%. As this works with a smart connection, the hills of a virtual training course are transferred to the bike set-up in real time. 699.99 euros >> at Bike Components or Amazon available.
7th BKool
The Spaniards give bikers the choice between millions of routes from the real world or a virtual animation. Thanks to the sheer variety of routes and guided courses, the software has made a name for itself among frequent trainers. The offer ranges from road races to mountain tours and mountain bike adventures in the Andes. BKool takes indoor training to all corners of the planet. Even the fact that the company is now part of the Rouvy Group should not change this. Individual membership: 11.99 euros (month) / 110 euros (year) / 7-day trial version.
8th MyWhoosh
Thanks to a financially strong background from the United Arab Emirates, the app is free of charge. This alone is likely to generate a great deal of interest. However, the marketing also includes the organisation of the official UCI World Championships in e-sports cycling on the platform. The latest version also advertises a particularly uncomplicated setup, revised graphics in the virtual world, offline mode and improved training plans. 85 routes in twelve themed worlds are available. Individual membership: free of charge.
9th Rouvy
While other apps look like a computer game, the Czech provider focuses on a unique look. Thanks to elaborately recreated routes in a virtual world, which can also be ridden as a 2D video, Rouvy confidently calls itself "the most realistic indoor cycling app in the world". Over 3500 routes on six continents and more than 600 workout programmes provide the basis for varied roller cycling. Gravel and off-road courses are also included. Individual membership: 19.99 euros (month) / 180 euros (year) / 7-day trial version.
10 Zwift
With over two million users and more than one million active subscribers, the classic app continues to lead the market. The very active community is the heart of the platform. Like-minded training partners can be found on Zwift at any time of day or night. Customised, AI-based recommendations, race improvements, extended progress overviews and even more gamification have been announced for the coming season. There are always new events and thousands of animated kilometres to discover. Individual membership: 19.99 euros (month) / 199.99 euros (year) / 14-day trial version.
Jan Timmermann
Editor
