In this article on Naijaknowhow, I’ll be writing about some of the best bike trainer apps for mobile. If you want to get fit, using an exercise bike at home or going cycling outdoors can be a great choice. To help you with your training and keep you motivated, there are some free apps available specifically for bike training.
Bike trainer applications can assist you in creating a suitable workout plan and guide you towards achieving your fitness goals. These fitness activities allow you to work out your muscles and improve your cardiovascular health.
The apps offer features such as tracking your distance, speed, and calories burned during your rides. These apps also provide various workout programs and challenges to keep you motivated and help you progress towards your fitness goals. The workouts range from from beginner-friendly sessions to more advanced and intense rides.
What is a Bike Trainer App?
A bike trainer app is designed to provide virtual cycling experiences for users who train indoors. Users typically connect their bike trainer, which provides resistance, to the app via Bluetooth or ANT+ technology, allowing them to pedal while receiving real-time feedback and guidance through their device.
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After a series of examinations and tests of these apps, here are some of the features you should look out for in a bike trainer app:
- Interactive virtual routes
- Customizable training plans
- Real-time performance feedback
- Compatibility with various sensors and devices
List of the Best Bike Trainer Apps for Android and iOS
Some apps provide social features that allow you to connect with other cyclists, share your achievements, and participate in virtual competitions. Below is a list of recommended bike trainers for smartphones.
1. CycleGo
CycleGo is a fitness app designed to help people achieve their fitness goals from the comfort of their own homes. It can be used with an exercise bike or a treadmill and offers a wide range of workouts suitable for different levels of difficulty. One of its key features is the absence of additional devices or sensors, making it convenient to use.
The app provides voice prompts during workouts, eliminating the need to constantly check the smartphone screen. It also allows users to create their own workouts and can be used offline, ensuring that the lack of internet connection doesn’t hinder training sessions.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced athlete, CycleGo caters to your fitness needs and provides flexibility in workout duration. While the app is free to download and use, some specialized workouts require a subscription.
Pros:
- Convenient home workouts
- Offline mode available
- Voice prompts for seamless experience
- Customizable workouts
Cons:
- Some workouts require subscription
2. TrainerRoad
TrainerRoad is designed to enhance the benefits of your workouts and increase your productivity. It offers a wide range of workouts tailored to your individual physical abilities and goals, whether it’s losing weight, burning calories, or gaining muscle mass. The app provides clear and precise instructions for each exercise, ensuring you perform them correctly.
One of the app’s key features is real-time data tracking of your workload and performance. It offers structured and intense workout sessions to help you make progress and achieve your fitness goals. You can monitor your results and track your progress through the Progress Page, where you can leave comments and mark your favourite workouts.
TrainerRoad also offers training plans developed by professionals, and it creates a schedule for you, sending reminders for upcoming workouts. The app is compatible with most exercise bikes, and you can find the full list on the developer’s official website. With TrainerRoad, you can maximize the rewards of your workouts and take your training to the next level.
Pros:
- Tailored workouts for individual goals
- Clear and precise exercise instructions
- Real-time data tracking of performance
- Structured training plans developed by professionals
Cons:
- Intense workout sessions may not suit everyone
- May be a bit expensive to use
- Occasional slow loading
3. HR2VP Cycling and Bike Training
This is one of the helpful bike trainer apps designed to assist you in managing your exercise routine and ensuring your well-being, whether you’re cycling indoors or outdoors. When using the app indoors, you can connect it to any exercise bike and keep track of various metrics such as heart rate, speed, and cadence.
You have the flexibility to choose your own workout or input your personal data, and the app will generate a customized workout plan tailored to your specific needs. For outdoor activities, the app offers additional features to enhance your training experience. It supports GPS, allowing you to view the distance covered and the route taken after each workout.
Furthermore, you can monitor your heart rate, speed, and location in real time, even while the app runs in the background. With these capabilities, the app ensures that you can optimize your cycling performance and maintain your well-being, both indoors and outdoors.
Pros:
- Customized workout plans
- Real-time monitoring of metrics
- Indoor and outdoor compatibility
- GPS support for outdoor activities
Cons:
- Potential compatibility issues with certain devices
- Limited free trial; premium required for full access
- Learning curve for navigating all features
- Occasional bugs or glitches
4. TrainingPeaks
TrainingPeaks is a helpful app for runners, cyclists, and triathletes. It offers various tools to assist in training and achieving goals. Users can record their workouts on a dedicated calendar, leave comments after training sessions, and track their fitness, calorie burn, and more.
The app provides charts and graphs to monitor progress and allows users to track their health while exercising. It also enables users to set personal records and offers rewards for achieving them.
In addition, the app allows users to connect with accredited trainers who can help plan their daily routines and training schedules. However, the app requires internet access to function properly.
Pros:
- Various training tools
- Integration with accredited trainers
- Rewards for achievements
- Comprehensive progress tracking
Cons:
- Requires internet and subscription for usage
- Limited customization
- Occassional slow loading and glitches
5. Zwift
Zwift is an app that makes exercising on a bike or treadmill more fun by turning it into a game you can play on your smartphone. With over 1000 workouts to choose from, you can pick the one that fits you best. Plus, you don’t have to exercise alone anymore; you can join group races and rides. And you can track your progress to see how you’re improving.
In Zwift, you can explore exciting worlds like London or New York from the comfort of your living room or gym. There are even more adventurous settings like a desert or ancient ruins. The workouts are created by top trainers, but you can also design your own or join group sessions if you’re feeling bored or lonely.
You can get creative and even compete with other users, making your workouts more engaging. Overall, Zwift is a fun and interactive way to exercise. Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness, explore virtual landscapes, or connect with others, this app offers something for everyone.
Pros:
- Gamifies exercise
- Variety of workouts
- Social features
- Track progress
Cons:
- Compatibility issues with older phone models
- Resource-intensive
- Limited free trial
6. ROUVY
Rouvy is an app that makes indoor cycling more fun and effective. With over 4,000 videos, including lessons and tips, it offers a wide range of cycling experiences. You can even combine cycling with video games, thanks to advanced technology that immerses you in virtual races.
One great thing about Rouvy is its variety of routes. You can choose from easy rides through parks to challenging mountain trails. Plus, you can compete in races against other users. The app ensures high-quality graphics for a realistic experience without any glitches.
Another cool feature is the ability to customize your character, making your workouts more personal and engaging. By bringing your character’s appearance closer to your own, you can enjoy sports with others to the fullest. Rouvy truly takes indoor cycling to the next level.
Pros:
- Access to over 4,000 cycling videos
- Immersive virtual racing experience
- Wide variety of route options
- High-quality graphics
Cons:
- Ads and limited free features
- Subscription required for full access
- Occasional technical glitches
7. Exercise Bike Workout
Exercise Bike app is designed to help improve physical fitness by providing interval cardio training on a stationary bike. This type of training involves alternating between high and low intensity exercises, which can help burn more calories, lose weight faster, and build muscle.
The app offers several features such as voice prompts during training, calorie burn calculation, alerts for changing modes, and the ability to create customized workouts based on individual abilities and interests. It also saves workout results and presents them in lists and graphs, making it easier to track progress.
To use the app, users need to input their gender, age, weight, and height to personalize the load and calorie calculations, choose a workout, and follow the app’s instructions while on the exercise bike.
Pros:
- Effective interval cardio training
- Customizable workouts
- Voice prompts for guidance
- Detailed progress tracking
Cons:
- No longer on the app market, seen only on the web
Conclusion
These bike trainer apps can assist you in creating a personalized training plan and offer features to track your progress and keep you motivated. With these apps, you can enjoy guided workouts and connect with other cyclists to enhance your training experience.
