How to Get Started with Indoor Cycling? (Beginner Guide)

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This guide will help you get started with indoor cycling. I’ve packed it with plenty of tips and know-how from my experience and that of other riders. It’s written in an easy-to-understand format, making it ideal for beginners.

Whether you want to maintain your fitness, hide from bad weather at home, or spend your training time more efficiently, you are in the right place.

We’ll cover the basics, including choosing and riding a bike trainer, indoor cycling accessories, and more.

Let’s dive in!

What Is Indoor Cycling?

Indoor cycling is a relatively young sport that has boomed, especially thanks to indoor cycling apps. It involves riding a (smart) bike trainer or stationary bike indoors.

This guide is written mainly for the first category, typical for road, mountain, and other cyclists.

The second category often attracts people who want to lose weight, maintain fitness, and combine spinning with other sports.

Why Should You Start with Indoor Cycling?

Continue reading my article ‘Are bike trainers worth it?‘ where I go more in-depth.

How to Get Started with Indoor Cycling?

Here are the basic steps to get started with indoor cycling.

1. Get a Bike Trainer

To get started with indoor cycling, you will need a bike trainer. There are multiple types of bike trainers. The basic ones are:

1. A dumb trainer (mostly wheel-on)
2. Noninteractive smart trainer (wheel-on or direct-drive)
3. Interactive smart trainer (mostly direct-drive but sometimes wheel-on)
4. Smart bikes
5. Rollers (with or without resistance)

You can read my guide on How to choose a bike trainer for detailed differences, pros, and cons between them. Most people either use a dumb wheel-on trainer or an interactive smart trainer.

Dumb trainers can’t adjust their resistance based on a 3rd-party app. Instead, you have to change the resistance manually.

Smart trainers can adjust resistance via an app and measure your power, cadence, and other metrics.

Of course, smart bike trainers are more expensive but also more engaging and fun.

2. Buy Indoor Cycling Accessories

Indoor cycling accessories are optional, but I highly recommend them. In particular, these three:

1. A bike trainer mat to protect your floor.
2. An indoor cycling fan to stay cool.
3. A rocker plate to increase your riding comfort.

They will make your life much easier.

You can then also buy a bike trainer desk to have a place to put your laptop or tablet, front-wheel riser, gradient simulator, etc. But those are optional.

3. Set Up Your Bike Trainer and Accessories

Find a suitable spot for your trainer. Its setup differs based on the type of trainer you have.

Direct-drive trainers require you to take off the rear wheel of your bike so you can mount it directly to the trainer.

Wheel-on trainers are a little easier to set up. You just have to clamp your bike in them and adjust the cylinder to provide resistance. I explain this procedure in depth in my How to Set Up a Bike Trainer guide.

Use a floor mat to protect your floor and, eventually, a rocker plate to increase your riding comfort and make the ride more engaging.

To avoid overheating, set up one or more fans to cool your legs, core, and head. In addition, keep your windows open to have access to fresh air. Prepare enough water (and food) so you won’t have to stop your training mid-ride. Music or a movie can also boost your morale.

4. Start Riding with (or without) an App

When I started indoor cycling, I trained using YouTube videos. It was fine, but I quickly got bored. Then I tried Zwift, and it changed everything. I was more engaged, more motivated, and had more fun.

The disadvantage of indoor cycling apps is that they often cost money. They may not be the best option if you are on a tight budget. But there are also plenty of free indoor cycling apps that get the job done.

5. Clarify Your Goals and Expectations

By clarifying your goals and expectations, you will realize why you want to do indoor cycling. Knowing your motivation will help you in the long run. Sometimes, you may feel like you don’t want to continue anymore.

But when you remind yourself why you started, you get the push you need to keep going. You can cycle to improve your fitness, virtually visit beautiful places worldwide, clear your head, etc.

How to Choose a Bike Trainer?

There are several types of bike trainers. For a beginner, choosing them can be difficult.

They operate on different principles and offer distinct features, resistance types, pros and cons, price ranges, and more.

Smart bikes and rollers are suitable for a narrow group of riders. You can read my comparison of bike trainers vs. rollers and smart bike trainers vs. smart bikes to learn their pros & cons.

Which Indoor Cycling App to Use?

Indoor cycling apps like Zwift, ROUVY, and TrainerRoad have a significant share of the indoor cycling market.

I recommend reading my article summarizing the Best indoor cycling apps, where you also learn which one to choose.

The following table shows my rating of different indoor cycling apps I tested.

Which Indoor Cycling Accessories Are Worth It?

As with road cycling or mountain biking, you can elevate your experience by buying bike trainer accessories.

The most important one is an indoor cycling fan that will keep your room and body temperature down to avoid overheating. Feel free to choose one from the best indoor cycling fans.

Then, I recommend having a bike trainer mat to protect your floor against scratches and sweat (trust me, you will sweat a lot).

The third most useful accessory is a bicycle rocker plate (RP). This device is placed under your trainer to provide side-to-side motion. Some RPs also have fore-and-aft movement.

TIP: Check out my list of the best cycling rocker plates.

Other accessories, such as gradient simulators, bike trainer tires, or laptop stands, are optional.

What to Wear When Indoor Cycling?

Honestly, you don’t have to buy indoor cycling-specific clothing. You will be completely fine with your road cycling shorts. You don’t even have to wear a jersey.

Indoor cycling clothing is almost the same as summer cycling clothing—lightweight and breathable.

You might also be interested in my tips to make indoor cycling more comfortable.

However, if you have money burning a hole in your pocket, feel free to treat yourself and invest in quality indoor cycling bib shorts and, eventually, a jersey.

You might also consider buying:

Indoor Cycling Shoes

Again, you can use your road cycling shoes (or mountain biking ones if you use SPD pedals on your bike).

Indoor cycling shoes are better ventilated and lighter, making them more suitable for indoor riding.

Some models have flat soles, so you can use them for multiple sports. Those are especially useful if you go to spin classes.

When choosing shoes for indoor cycling, ensure they are compatible with the cleat type on your pedals.

I recommend reading my guides on ‘How to choose bicycle pedals‘ and ‘How to choose cycling shoes‘ for more info, pros, and cons of the different types.

Or, you can browse these best indoor cycling shoes for wide feet. I also put together a list of the best indoor cycling shoes for women.

What to Eat and Drink When Indoor Cycling?

Bonking (sudden loss of energy and exhaustion) is not such a big deal when you ride home (unlike when you are dozens of miles away).

Most of us also can’t ride four or five hours on a bike trainer, so the chance of bonking is much lower.

But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fuel your engine!

I am not a nutrition specialist, so I recommend finding one if you want to optimize your fueling strategy.

With food, it’s more complicated. My favorite ‘bike’ meal is these oatmeal balls. They are tasty and full of energy, and you can customize their ingredients as you want.

Sometimes, I eat bananas, dried fruit, toast with jam, ham, or peanut butter—simply whatever I want.

Of course, you can buy cycling-specific products like gels, electrolyte and carbohydrate drinks, and many more.

I find them overpriced, and normal nutrition works just fine for me. So, find what works best for you.

How to Cope with Pain When Indoor Cycling?

Indoor cycling hurts. You will likely experience moments when your legs and lungs will burn from your efforts.

Trust me. You will eventually learn to manage the pain and get used to it. As your fitness improves, you won’t tire as quickly and will be more productive.

And remember:

You have to ride slower to become faster.

Conclusion

I hope this guide provided you with helpful and actionable tips for indoor cycling. It’s an efficient way to train at home during winter or bad weather. You will also avoid aggressive riders and other road dangers.

Some will argue that there is nothing like a bike ride outside with friends. And I agree with you. But sometimes, it’s simply easier to hop on your bike trainer and work out at home. Do you agree? And what motivates you to start indoor cycling? Comment below.

Indoor Cycling FAQ

Preview and how-to pictures credit: saris.com