Starling Fitness: Daily writings on Fitness, Diet, and Health

A couple of weeks ago, I got an indoor bike trainer so that I could exercise on my bike all winter indoors. I got the CycleOps Bicycle Trainer, but there are lots to choose from out there. It’s a gadget that turns your trusty bike into an exercise bike in your house without all the extra cost and no need to store a huge exercise machine. If you already have a bike, then a bike trainer only takes about five more inches of space. I did a first glance review of the trainer for the Gadgets Page and I also wrote up an article on how to make my speedometer work with my bike when it’s on the trainer. These articles are a little technical, but they give you a good idea of what setting up will be like.

• The Gadgets Page » First Glance: CycleOps Mag Indoor Bike Trainer

• The Gadgets Page » Making Your Bike Speedometer Work With a Bike Trainer

On the whole, I’ve found it harder to ride on the bike trainer than riding outdoors. The trainer can put far more resistance on the bike than even riding up the huge hill over I-15 and the train tracks. I’ve been really happy with it so far.

The truth is, I could take my bike outside and get the same workout as I’m getting in the house if I rode around the hills in the Avenues. At this time of year, however, I don’t want to go outside. I just want to hide in the house. If you find that you want to hibernate this winter, don’t let the weather get in the way of your workouts. Find a way to get sweating every day, whether it’s indoors or out. There are ways to get your workout in all year long. This is only one of them.