Indoor training is getting more expensive, is anyone still doing it old school?

Smart trainers and virtual worlds do make indoor riding more engaging, but if this isn't within your budget, you can still reap fitness from the great indoors

Elderly man cycling on rollers indoors
(Image credit: Getty Images)

A decade ago, riding indoors was considered a necessary evil, a case of staring at numbers on a tiny LCD screen. Now, cyclists are able to ride with friends, race themselves, and others, all from the comfort of their own homes.

The explosion of available tech has certainly made indoor cycling more fun, but, this immersive experience comes at a cost. While it is possible to use most apps on a 'dumb' turbo trainer with a speed/cadence sensor, a trainer without 'ERG' mode won't replicate hills or provide automatic resistance to meet interval targets. Smart trainers start at around $400/£300, but can run into the thousands, with a host of complementary accessories available to elevate the experience.

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