Not quite what you had in mind when you think of a bike trainer app? Then you’re in the right place, read on….
Smart applications have revolutionized the at-home cycling experience with a great range of immersive new bike trainer apps now available. No longer are you forced to sit and stare out of the kitchen window as you ride on your bike trainer.
Cycling training applications have been developed to not only immerse you in the outside world – virtually – but also to track a whole range of statistics about your ride.
Bike Trainer App – Comparison Table
| App Name | Average App Store Rating | Available Platform | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strava Workouts | 4.5 (Google Play) 4.2 (iTunes) | iOS Android | FREE or Premium (Paid) |
| CycleOps Virtual Trainer | 3.5 (Google Play) 4.0 (iTunes) | Android iOS Windows | $15/month $12/month (for 6 months) $10/month (for 12 months) |
| Zwift | N/A (Only available on PC & Mac | Windows iOS | $10/month |
| Sufferfest | 5.0 (iTunes) | Windows iOS | $10/month |
So, if you’re looking to add a little more to your workout routine with some virtual-reality based software, which are the best bike trainer apps for you?
Zwift
Zwift is an immersive experience and one of several virtual cycling trainer programmes out there. It’s available on your phone, tablet or TV. The programme allows you to participate in solo rides to push yourself, complete with dedicated training plans and tons of data production. Alternatively you can join in a group ride to challenge your friends – or a total stranger – there are riders from over 150 countries currently using this pretty impressive app for their training rides. The even better news, it’s currently just $10 a month, so that’s a bargain.
The Sufferfest
Similar to Zwift, in that it creates a virtual representation of you while you ride, the Sufferfest videos are renowned for – well – suffering. These gruelling workouts, coupled with brilliant graphic representation of some of the world’s most challenging courses, make the Sufferfest a great option for those seeking to hurt. The Sufferfest has cross-platform availability (iOS, Mac, and Windows Desktop). Couple that with the same price-tag as Zwift, and it all comes down to your pain threshold when making a choice about the right bike training app for you.
CycleOps Virtual Trainer
CycleOps Virtual Trainer, or CVT is a training software developed by CycleOps themselves, to coincide with their ANT+ USB device, which allows you to connect your PC to your training software. Rather than relying solely on an application downloaded on a tablet or phone, CVT, like the other virtual training software mentioned above gives you complete control over your ride environment. It offers you lots of insight into your training, with a multitude of collected data points. What sets CVT apart from the rest, is the software’s ability to take into account many trainers being connected to a single account. This allows you to ride with friends in your own home! Or, if you want to have a family night of cycling-inspired VR fun, then you can set up multiple trainers and all ride together at the same time, on the same screen. Good for healthy competition.
Strava Workouts
Strava is a household name among cyclists in the apps department. It’s been around for a while and many make full use of the application’s training regimen. The Strava is less immersive than the other bike trainer apps mentioned, as it does not currently have virtual-reality or rider-projection-into-a-different-environment capability. However, despite what might be seen as a drawback, Strava makes up for it in it’s user-friendly interface and many, many options. You can design your own training regimen, or Strava will sort one out for you. There is a choice between ten four-week plans, fitting the indoor or outdoor cyclist, the sprinter, or the climber. Best of all, the basics of Strava Workouts are available for free on either iOS or Android, however there is a Premium option, which unlocks the full capabilities of app.
There are, of course, many applications that can help you become a better cyclist, whatever that might mean for you. Some want to climb that mountain faster, others to shave those precious seconds off your personal best. Generally speaking, the world of bike trainer apps is becoming more and more immersive and that’s a good thing. While riding outdoors will always remain an unparalleled experience, virtual cycling training when you just can’t get outside, will become more and more interesting and allow us to go to places that perhaps we might never visit physically.