The Ideal Indoor Trainer Setup For Riders On A Budget (No TV or DVDs Required)

When most cyclists think about indoor training, they immediately equate it with boredom. I can’t blame them – riding indoors is nothing like being out on the open road.

So the first thing they do is think of distractions – big screen TVs, training DVDs, movies, virtual reality bike races, or at least an MP3 player.

That can be a lot of fun, but it can cost a ton of money. If you want to train indoors but lack the budget for a high-tech setup, do what I did when I was in college.

I call it:

The College Dorm Room Indoor Trainer Setup

Being on a college student budget, all I had in my room was a $55 magnetic stationary trainer. I only had the trainer – no fancy doo-dads, not even a TV.

So I made the most of my posters (obligatory for college students) and simple household items, like the mirror (provided free with room & board.)

Step 1: Put the mirror on the wall or door at your riding eye level. (The full-length mirrors that go on doors are perfect.)

Step 2: Set up the trainer in the middle of the room, so you are facing the mirror.

Step 3: Place an action-packed cycling poster on the wall behind the trainer.

See, the mirror functions as a rear view mirror. That way, you ride on the trainer and see yourself in the mirror, along with pro cyclists chasing you down! It’s exciting. Really, it is!

My setup had a large poster of Mario Cippolini (sporting a world champion rainbow jersey) sprinting to the finish line. I spent so many hours watching him chase me that the image is ingrained in my mind!

Hours of fun, I must say!

An Indoor Training Cost Comparison

Just to show you the price difference in a couple indoor training setups, here is a quick comparison:

My dorm room setup:

Elite Mag Elastogel Trainer: $157*
Door Mirror: $20**
Cycling Poster: $0***

* I actually had a cheap house brand magnetic trainer that I got on sale for $55, but I wore it out in less than a month, so I’d stick with a good brand for $120-160 minimum, or check eBay.

** Free if you already have a mirror in the house.

*** Check with a local bike shop for any promo posters from last year that they might be throwing out.

So, if you can improvise, you could get a good setup for under $100. But, even if you are buying everything new, the whole setup is just about $200.

The high-tech setup:

Tacx I-Magic Fortius Virtreality Trainer: $1395
Extra Software (more courses, online subscriptions, etc.): $300
New LCD display: $1100

You’re looking at well over $2000 for this setup, even if you have a good computer already!

So I’m going to keep kickin’ it old school on a budget! (Sure, I spice things up with my MP3 player, but I’m not much for watching TV or following training DVDs like Cyclo-Zen and Spinervals while riding.)

If you are interested in indoor training, but have yet to purchase a trainer, you may like my advice on, What Is a Good Stationary Trainer?

Photo credit: pinkpucca