Making Indoor Training More Fun
Unless you live somewhere with a wonderful climate such as Arizona or maybe Hawaii chances are this time of year you will be spending a large amount of time on the indoor trainer or treadmill. Or maybe just with life and work it is easier for you to continually be on the trainer vs. outdoors even if you live somewhere it is nice enough to do so.
Constantly riding on the trainer and running on the treadmill can get very boring, long, and mentally hard to motivate for on a regular basis. So today I want to share with you some of my tips to making indoor riding more fun and a little easier to motivate for.
1. Set up a fun space that you feel comfortable in
This is not a necessity at all you can be very effective without having your area be full of twinkly lights, or big tv’s or anything however if you have the ability and the space to make your space your own it is more inviting and welcoming to go to.
2. Listen to podcasts, music or watch a movie
This is my favorite way to take the edge off of being inside. It helps keep me from always looking at my watch and can even give me motivation if it is a good movie or music that is super uplifting. There is actually a lot of science that shows that uplifting, high beat music can really motivate you and make you go faster.
3. Use an interactive program such as Zwift or Trainer Road
I personally love Zwift!! (I am not affiliated with Zwift at all) Interactive programs allow you to race/train with other people, do races, win Jersey’s (on Zwift) and a whole bunch of other things. These programs also help keep you accountable in your workouts by telling you if you need to push harder, spin faster, or even slow down!!
4. Put a towel over the count down on a treadmill or move your computer screen / watch so you aren’t always staring at it
This helps me to not focus on the count down that the treadmill is yelling at me. When I can’t see it then I don’t focus on it as much. It’s like the saying a watched pot doesn’t boil or when you are staring at the count down on the microwave…. it lasts forever being on the treadmill or trainer is similar so by removing that from constantly staring you in the face it helps to keep your mind off the time.
5. Mix up the intensities
This keeps it interesting so that it isn’t as boring. On top of that this is one of the best ways that you can improve. Mixing up intensities helps you to push yourself outside your comfort zone. Whenever I have to run on the treadmill I always make sure that those are not my long endurance effort runs (unless I absolutely have to) that way I’m not just slogging away watching the miles tick away.
6. Make a run and/or bike date with friends.
We like to do things with people. More often than not we got into the sport because a friend said “hey lets do a half marathon together”, and you can even do this on a treadmill or a indoor bike trainer. Bring all your bikes together, play some music, or a movie and all suffer together. You can also do this at a gym on the trainer if needed!!! Friends make things so much better!
Most importantly set yourself up for success, if you know that you have an early morning ride or treadmill run get your station all set up the night before. Have your fuel and hydration all ready to just grab and go so that you can’t talk yourself out of it. Then remember that what you are doing inside will benefit you in the future when you head back outside!!!