Trainer vs. Road

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2006-03-31 9:53 AM

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Subject: Trainer vs. Road
I rode to work today, it's about 20 miles each way. In order to keep it pleasant, I took it easy. I was looking at my heartrate as I was coming in, and it was about 150 - 155 most of the time. I did an indoor ride on Wednesday and I had to struggle to get my heartrate up to zone 2 (136 - 146). The whole way to work I felt relaxed like I was out for a quiet easy ride. No strain on my legs whatsoever.

So, what is the deal with the heartrate? I'm starting to think that my Garmin 301 is malfunctioning, because if you check my logs there is a dramatic difference in my heartrate for one run vs. another, now I have this huge difference between my evening trainer ride and my morning commute.

Could it be that I just have a higher heartrate in the morning than the evening? Is it because the trainer doesn't have the same effects on the HR than road riding? If I'd tried to keep my heartrate in the 136-146 range today, I would still be on my way to work.


2006-03-31 9:56 AM
in reply to: #384525

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Subject: RE: Trainer vs. Road
I've noticed that my first couple outdoor rides each season (not sure if this was your case or not) that my HR is way above my RPE.  Don't know the reason, but after a few rides it seems to settle back into place.
2006-03-31 10:07 AM
in reply to: #384525

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Subject: RE: Trainer vs. Road
excellent topic. I notice this too. The trainer and road are very different beasts. On my first rides of the season, I feel like I have no power. So when I apply more power, my HR goes up. Hopefully, I will build some power in my legs and my HR won't be so high.
2006-03-31 10:09 AM
in reply to: #384525

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Subject: RE: Trainer vs. Road
It's normal to see a higher heart rate when in 'real' conditions. Road riding is harder than riding on a trainer for the same reason that running outside is harder than running on a treadmill. All of a sudden, you have to consider things like wind and road surface. It may not feel like you're working harder, but you are.

When I work out on a trainer, my HR is around 145. When I ride outside, I'm almost always averaging around 160. So I kinda doubt it's your HRM.. I think it's YOU!
2006-03-31 12:58 PM
in reply to: #384553

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Subject: RE: Trainer vs. Road
mine does this as well, but after a few rides it calms back down and all is good
2006-03-31 1:47 PM
in reply to: #384525

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Subject: RE: Trainer vs. Road
I'm no training expert by any means but I would imagine that your need to be vigilant and ride defensively would automatically increase your heart rate. Like the studies on fight vs. flight in psychology - - your body's system adjusts to perceived threats (ie traffic, new trails, etc.)


2006-03-31 3:45 PM
in reply to: #384906

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Subject: RE: Trainer vs. Road
I am so glad this topic was posted - it explains a lot to me. I haven't done a lot of cycling but had been doing an indoor cycling course on trainer with my own (new) bike. It felt very hard as we were doing time trial simulations, hill simulations, sprint simulations etc. So, then I take my new bike outside last week for the first time. First time I have used clipless pedals (doesn't count in a trainer!), aerobars (ditto) and getting used to the gears (compared to my 20 year old bike)...so I take it really easy and enjoy myself for an hour and a half. But I did notice 2 things
1) My heart rate stayed pretty high all the time regardless of me thinking I was taking it easy (the undulations of outside riding????) and
2) I could hardly move 2 days later which I didn't expect having done what I perceived as far harder workouts on the cycle trainer course.

The instructor confirmed that there is no substitute to outdoor riding.
I have been out again today, again easy but same thing with HR.

Jackie
2006-03-31 6:14 PM
in reply to: #384525

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Subject: RE: Trainer vs. Road

I feel the same way....after riding the trainer for the last 5 months riding on the roads feels strange but tough. I felt like wow, I suck at cycling even though I have been working hard at it all winter.

I did a 20' TT on the road last week and averaged 17.58 and my avg HR was 150 where on the trainer on a 20' TT my HR is in the high 120's. On my road TT I felt I could have pushed more where on the trainer I felt like I was going all out nothing more to give. I asked my coach about it and he said it was common and he said he has talked with other coaches and they agree they say it but do not have a good reason for the difference.

My HR is always about 20-30 beats higher outside than on the trainer.

Riding the on the road, you have hills, wind, temp, and lots more to deal with plus your bike moves differently...it can sway side to side which is different than the fixed position on the trainer. It all take some getting used to.

Ah...did you have more fun on the 40 miles outside than 2 hours on a trainer inside?

2006-03-31 6:34 PM
in reply to: #384525

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Subject: RE: Trainer vs. Road
I think the road is easier then a trainer (53x12 always on the trainer). When I am on the trainer I work a lot harder because that is all I have to focus on and I can keep workout stuctured which is key for good trainer rides.
2006-03-31 8:01 PM
in reply to: #384525

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Subject: RE: Trainer vs. Road
I would expect the morning HR to be higher than afternoon for most people due to the dehrydration factor. I know a same RPE run will automatically get a higher HR for me if I do it in the morning rather than the afternoon/evening.

However, I'm going to be the dissenter on trainer being much easier than outside. Nope, not at all. I go outside and I gain 2+ mph for the same or lower HR at the same RPE. I think it may be an issue of the specific trainer people use though. My old Cycleops mag trainer was pretty easy to spin and I may have had the same experience as you. However, it decided to break after just a few rides this year and I replaced it with a Kurt Kinetic Road Machine.
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