Hi, all. Before the Pandemic and WFH I was commuting to work by bike. Once my office became my bedroom I stopped riding. In an effort to keep up my very low level of fitness (and to a have a place to store my bike in my small apt. now that it wasn’t going to work with me everyday) I bought a very cheap trainer. I found that I needed very focus, timed workouts to be successful. I started watching YouTube training videos and riding for 20-30 to recreate my commute. That’s worked pretty well but my setup is such that every time there is an ad (which can be up to six times in 20 mins) I have to get off my bike and walk over to my computer to skip commercials. It’s very frustrating. In order to find a solution to this problem that allows me to keep my computer setup and to find a system that will hopefully motivate me, give me a little more structure, and ideally some type of community, I found Sufferfest and started the 14-day trial.
Although it’s not designed for a non-athlete who knows nothing about completive cycling, I think this could work pretty well for me. My main goals are, workout daily, increase my fitness level, and build strength so that when I do go back to work, I’ve lost the 10lbs (4.5kgs) of pandemic weight and I’m not starting back at square one on my commute. I’m also wanting to increase my mood and do something fun (which my bike commute accomplished…most days). Within this 14-day trial, I’m trying to figure out if this app will be effective for me and worth paying for, or if I need something else.
I currently own a hybrid-like bike, a very basic trainer (not supported by the app…I’m not even sure it has a brand name but it works well), and an old Fitbit with a heartrate monitor my mom gave me. I don’t really know anything about speed sensors or other devices that were listed as compatible with the app. I also don’t understand any of the metrics they use like FTP, MAP, AC, and NM, without doing more reading. If I were to buy one thing (within a $50-$75 / £35-£55 budget) that would allow me to maximize my use of this app without spending a fortune, what would would people recommend? Is there even one thing people would recommend or is this app really best for people with the right equipment and cycling knowledge?
Are there other app-related tips or advice people have for someone like me who is not an athlete, has next to zero knowledge of competitive cycling, has a limited budget, but loves bikes and is excited about delving into a new thing?
So far I have done the goal setting worksheet, one GCN video (which is exactly what I would have done on YouTube but with no ads), and I’ve selected the Fitness Kickstarter 6-week training plan. I also read about the fitness test but I don’t really understand it and I’m not sure it’s appropriate for me–not being an athlete.
Any thoughts on how to best use this app would be wonderful!
Thank you!