As a common entry-level option, mag trainers function by spinning a metal disc within a magnetic enclosure to induce a current that generates drag. With magnetic trainers, you have to set the resistance manually. And unlike fluid trainers, they don’t simulate kinetic momentum well and instead provide a less realistic linear power curve. But while they don’t match the features of high-end trainers, magnetic trainers may still be perfect for anyone who just wants a hard indoor session without the bells and whistles.

With the unique selling point of being the quietest trainer on the market, fluid trainers have a lot to offer. Based on a blade spinning in a fluid in an enclosed chamber, fluid trainers provide progressive power curves that simulate a more realistic resistance as speeds increase. With the viscosity of the fluid engineered to reproduce accurate power curves, fluid trainers offer the precision that cheaper alternatives simply can’t.

Direct-drive trainers require the removal of the rear wheel, allowing you to fix your bike directly to the trainer. This helps eliminate tyre wear and cut back on frictional noise. Connecting your drivetrain directly to the turbo trainer helps ensure optimal power transfer. With minimal losses, it leads to less error in power measurements and helps quantify performance more effectively.

With a simple design involving two drums connected by a belt, rollers were the first form of indoor trainer conceived. Despite their lack of features, rollers are still widely used. If you want to work on your pedal stroke while maintaining precise control of the bike, then rollers are hands down the best option.

Smart trainers bring the outdoors in. They are an all-in-one solution with high-tech electronics that provide interconnectivity and unmatched realism. They enjoy ever-increasing popularity due to the seamless connection they provide with several 3rd party apps such as Zwift and TrainerRoad. Smart electronics within the trainer fine-tune the experience for an amazing level of realism and true road feel. With direct feedback between the onscreen reality and the smart trainer, the electronics within make dynamic adjustments to provide a realistic effect that reflects the onscreen conditions. Terrain, incline, weather conditions, and even slipstreaming all result in resistance changes that’ll test your legs just like on the road. Smart trainers also have a host of built-in features that allow for enhanced structured training. With modes of operation targeted toward constant power, they help cyclists target specific power zones with unrivalled accuracy.

While they lack the plug and play nature of a smart trainer, non-smart trainers are still compatible with online platforms like Zwift. At the very least, you’ll need ANT+ or Bluetooth-enabled speed and cadence sensors, while a power meter is another useful addition.

Music is a tremendous source of motivation for many cyclists. But a tangled mess of cables draped over the handlebars is a recipe for disaster. To move freely on the bike as you churn the pedals to the beat of your favourite tunes, choose a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones. They’ll help keep the volume down and keep family members onside, and noise-cancelling varieties will also help dampen the hum of a louder trainer.

Some turbo trainers creep forward on the floor over time. A grippy mat helps hold them firmly in place and prevents slippage. It will also help protect a wooden floor from sweat stains and dampen vibrations.

The ability to compete in the virtual world is what sets modern indoor training setups apart. Capable of creating ever more increasingly realistic experiences, they ramp up the excitement and fulfilment associated with the once tedious act of training at home. With several online platforms to choose from, all you’ll need is a fast internet connection.

Riding hard on the turbo trainer can quickly become hard work. And tackling those high-end intervals indoors without a fan means you’ll soon cook. While free-standing gym fans will do the job, more specialized alternatives are also available. Fans with targeted airflow are often an improvement, as are fans that adjust dynamically with the intensity of the workout.