Base Training on Inside Ride Emotion Rollers

Training
1

hey all -

Just wrapped traditional base mid vol 1 block, I tested and did all the work on the inside ride emotion rollers with the mag resistance set to level 2 (not a smart unit), and I used virtual power while I was waiting for a new power meter. Coming out of the last week of the block I was physically and mentally exhausted (Likely overtrained).

I’m trying to understand the benefit of training with the higher levels of magnetic resistance - any thoughts here?

I went into the block fresh, tested at 267 (virtual power), and for the most part, felt like I got a lot out of it besides being able to barely finish last week. I took three days off tested at a lower resistance (mag level 1) and tested at 235 (this time with my power meter) - do you think this is because of the overtraining? Could virtual power and actual power be so significantly disparate? Worth taking a week off (obv yes…)?

Super interested in this discussion. Thanks :slight_smile:

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  • Maybe, but you changed the “tape measure” you are using (aka power data source), and you changed the mag resistance level.

  • Both those altered variables mean you can NOT compare the current test (power meter + setting 1) with the past test (virtual power + setting 2).

  • Absolutely they can vary widely. Virtual Power has no guarantee to match real power. It is an estimate and should not be compared to real power meters.
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Thanks, Chad.

What if any are the benefits of training with a higher level of constant resistance i.e. mag level 2? Keep in mind I have maybe one good cycling season and this is my first real winter block of training. I raise this because I have a lot to learn and I’m interested in increasing FTP, and overall fitness.

4

Assuming use with a dedicated power meter, the main thing you can play with on the resistance side is “how fast” you are spinning the rollers based on the gearing you use.

  • If in a low 1 setting, and you may have to use higher gears to hit something like 300w.
  • Swap to 3 setting, and you may be using lower gear to hit that same 300w.

This all goes down the road of using the trainer with a setting that mimics the feel of what you expect outside. Faster gearing for fast road riding, Slower gearing for stuff like MTB and gravel.

It’s a bit like the gearing selection in ERG discussion. You have the ability to tweak the feel to your needs.

Does that make sense?

5

As Chad has said above, changing resistance on the rollers is simply like riding up a hill - increase mag resistance and its just like riding up a slightly steeper incline.

Primarily its use is simply to allow you to hit higher power numbers during intervals as it provides resistance to pedal against, just like riding up a hill would.

As you can obviously change gear as well, its simply about finding a gearing and resistance combination that allows you to pedal at the cadence that suits you, and means you can hit the target power levels during the intervals and also reduce the power enough to recover at low levels during the rest intervals.

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