Trainer Debate - Conventional or Electronically Controlled?
02-01-15, 08:49 AM
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Trainer Debate - Conventional or Electronically Controlled?
A buddy and I got into a discussion about effective training on a trainer. We got into it a little bit about my KK Fluid versus his electronically controlled Kickr - specifically in regards to holding a target power.
On my KK, you have to force yourself to hold a target power. You slow down, the power drops off - you lose.
On the Kickr (mind you, I've never tried one), the trainer changes the resistance to maintain the target power. You slow down, the trainer increases the resistance - you switch gears - you may lose, you may not.
My argument is that the KK introduces more of a mental aspect to my training - meaning its easier to give up and succumb to the pain than it would be on the Kickr. The counter argument is that on the Kickr, you have no choice but to keep going - as the power never drops off - providing a different, yet equal amount of mental training.
What are your thoughts?
On my KK, you have to force yourself to hold a target power. You slow down, the power drops off - you lose.
On the Kickr (mind you, I've never tried one), the trainer changes the resistance to maintain the target power. You slow down, the trainer increases the resistance - you switch gears - you may lose, you may not.
My argument is that the KK introduces more of a mental aspect to my training - meaning its easier to give up and succumb to the pain than it would be on the Kickr. The counter argument is that on the Kickr, you have no choice but to keep going - as the power never drops off - providing a different, yet equal amount of mental training.
What are your thoughts?
02-02-15, 07:47 AM
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Your best strategy: shut up, get to work, get fit, get lean, get fast, kick his ass on your meanest hill climb this Spring and shout "Wahoo!" when you get to the top.
02-02-15, 10:34 AM
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Well that goes without saying!! But its -33C outside without the windchill and I have nothing better to do than talk about this kinda stuff
02-02-15, 11:36 AM
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I do well forcing myself to hold a target power and cadence. I also do group Computrainer sessions in which the trainer works like the Kickr, maintaining power by controlling resistance in inverse proportion to cadence, and varying the power up and down around a setpoint based on terrain. It's OK when you get used to it, but it wouldn't be my preference.
Last edited by Looigi; 02-02-15 at 11:40 AM.
02-02-15, 11:36 AM
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An argument could be also made for either one being more applicable to training/racing outdoors. Outside, you do have to focus mentally on holding a target power level and resist the urge to stop and coast. But often when you slow down outside, it's because the resistance increases (you've encountered a steep climb, for instance,) giving the Kickr a realistic element.
I'd say for the mental aspect, the KK wins, since that's a mental dilemma you'd encounter outdoors. You wouldn't want to train to develop the mindset that "I can just slow down right now and the road will figure out a way to keep my training going as scheduled."
I'd say for the mental aspect, the KK wins, since that's a mental dilemma you'd encounter outdoors. You wouldn't want to train to develop the mindset that "I can just slow down right now and the road will figure out a way to keep my training going as scheduled."
