Structured training is the most efficient and effective way to become a faster cyclist, and a cycling training plan is a way to organize your hard work through power-based, interval workouts.
What is Structured Training
Structured cycling training is a process by which you train specific energy systems while progressively stressing your body. As a result, you gain performance-boosting adaptations, which increase your FTP, VO2 max, and muscular endurance. A cycling training plan uses specific power-based workouts designed to make you faster in the most effective and time-efficient way.
Training at the Right Time
The best cycling training plans progressively add more to your workouts at the right time, while giving you the rest needed to recover and adapt. This progressive structure, paired with well-timed training cycles and goal-oriented workouts, helps you reach peak performance for a goal event or discipline.
Every TrainerRoad training plan divides your seasons into three distinct phases. Progressive training begins by building general base fitness, then layers on more specific work, eventually bringing your overall fitness to a well-timed peak. This is the Base, Build, and Speciality cycle.
Your first step in the cycling training process is to establish that foundation in what’s known as the Base Phase with the goal of strengthening your aerobic energy system. As you move into the Build Phase, you’ll begin to increase the weekly training stress with more event-specific work.
Finally, the Specialty Phase strives to be as specific to your target event and performance goals as possible where the workouts reach the height of their intensity, but each week’s training volume experiences a mild decline. You will test your event readiness while gradually trimming the overall training stress to a point where you will realize your best performance.
Science-Based
TrainerRoad combines science-based coaching principles and machine learning with an unprecedented data set to design all of our cycling training plans. Our data-driven approach takes the guesswork out of training to ensure that you get faster.
TrainerRoad’s training plans meet you wherever you’re at by matching your current fitness level, available training time, and goals. So whether you are racing cross-country MTB, riding a Gran Fondo, or simply want to improve your fitness, there’s a plan for you.
Volume
TrainerRoad training plans come in three volumes: low, mid, and high. While the weekly hourly commitment varies, on average, low-volume plans have three structured workouts per week, the mid-volume plans have five, and the high-volume plans have six. Whenever you start a new training plan, you’ll need to choose a volume for your plan.
When choosing a volume, we advise the one that you can consistently complete. This will be a volume compatible with your schedule that provides you with enough rest in between workouts. If you’re new to cycling training or have a hectic personal schedule, we recommend a low-volume plan. Mid-volume plans are great if you have some experience with training and can commit to five workouts a week. High-volume plans are best for cyclists with extensive structured training experience as they require a significant investment in time and recovery.
Time of Year
You can begin a cycling training plan at any time during the year. TrainerRoad’s training plans progress you through the Base, Build, and Speciality Phases over 28 weeks. If you have more or less time until your event, don’t worry. Plan Builder can create a custom training plan that aligns with your timeline.
Plan Builder
The easiest way to create a training plan is to let TrainerRoad do it for you with Plan Builder. It’s a flexible, easy-to-use tool that automatically designs your custom training plan up to two years into the future. Plan Builder takes the guesswork out of choosing the right training plan by creating a custom plan that peaks your fitness for your goal event or discipline. Using your current training volume, when and how long you can train, the events in your training calendar, and the demands of your goal event, Plan Builder builds the ideal training plan for you.
Beginning a cycling training plan can seem daunting, but don’t worry. Getting started with TrainerRoad is easy. In just a few steps, you’ll be using science-based training that will increase your performance.
How to Get Started with Training
You can be ready to train in just a few quick steps. After you sign up, you’ll select your training, download the TrainerRoad app, then choose how you want to complete a workout—indoors, outside, or with friends in a Group Workout. You can mix and match any combination of the three.
Training indoors is convenient, especially when you have a busy schedule and a limited window to train. If you want to train inside, you’ll need a trainer in addition to your bike. Once your bike is on the trainer, open the TrainerRoad app on your mobile device or computer and pair your training devices.
Setting up Your Training Space
At the very least, you need a bike, trainer, sensor, and a device to run the TrainerRoad app. Additionally, a few accessories that will improve your training experience like, a good fan to keep cool, a few gym towels, and some water bottles.
It’s helpful to keep a few essential items nearby where you can reach them during your workout. A small table or even a chair next to you to drape the towel over is an easy option. This table can also double as a surface where you can keep food, your phone, or some entertainment like a movie or music. A bit of entertainment in the form of music or race analysis videos goes a long way for motivation.
One of the best tips for your training space is to make it convenient. Cycling training is hard work, so you’ll want to remove any obstacles standing in your way. Keeping equipment set up in your training area will save time and make it easier to get on the bike.