Since indoor cycling is such a big trend and growing market, we’ve decided to do an in-depth review on the best apps for indoor cycling. This article will focus on what each app has to offer, pros and cons, and how the user interface looks so you can decide which one works best for you.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Indoor Cycling
If you want to forget about the real world and immerse yourself in a virtual landscape, then Zwift is worth a try. It doesn’t offer the highly scientific approach to training that TrainerRoad and Systm offer, but it does still supply a large catalogue of workouts and training plans for those looking to train consistently. However, Zwift comes into its own in peer motivation: with such a huge user base around the world, there is almost always tens of thousands of other people to ride with, and this means there are races and group rides available at all times of day, every day.
It’s become the go-to indoor cycling app and, as a result, the official platform to host the UCI Cycling eSports World Championships 2022.
Check out our full guide to Zwift.
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Best indoor cycling apps: TrainerRoad
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TrainerRoad
No-fluff app with a massive catalogue of workouts with machine learning to steer you toward your goals
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Mac, Windows, iOS, AndroidMonthly price: US$19.95
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REASONS TO BUY
+Clean user interface
+Machine learning adapts to your progress
+Tailored training plans targeting your goals
REASONS TO AVOID
-Above average cost per month
-No immersive video or gameplay means many find it dull
TrainerRoad is almost at the other end of the spectrum to Zwift in that there is no gameplay element at all. The only levelling up you’ll do will be with your own real-world fitness. The app is one dimensional in its goal: making you faster, but it leans on a huge amount of science, data and innovation, as well as an enormous database of workouts to achieve it.
With TrainerRoad, you’ll begin by telling it what your goals are, and when you need to achieve them – usually in the form of a target event. The app’s plan builder will then ask you a few questions about how often you’d like to train, and what type of event you’re training for. At the end, it will spit out a base training plan for you to follow. However, this is only the beginning. If you fail a workout, the app’s machine learning algorithm will adjust future sessions to make them a little easier. If you find a workout easy, it will make future workouts harder so you progress faster and don’t waste time having an easy ride. Its levels feature also allows you to track your progress of specific energy systems, rather than relying on the unreliable metric of FTP.
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Its expertise and history are in cycling, but it has a database of workouts for both runners and triathletes too, which are taken into account when building triathlon training plans. There is also a ‘minimal’ window mode that shrinks the interfaces down into a strip on the lower portion of your desktop so you can watch Netflix on the same screen. It’s wholly functional from the smartphone app, and the same hide-and-watch-Netflix approach works here too.
TrainerRoad also offers just about all of its workouts with a ‘Do Outside’ option, which can be synced automatically to your head unit.
Check out our full guide to TrainerRoad.
Best indoor cycling apps: The Sufferfest
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Wahoo Systm
An all-in-one training suite for both body and mind
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Mac, Windows, iOS, AndroidMonthly price: $14.99
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REASONS TO BUY
+High-quality workouts and training plans designed by top-level coaches
+Provisions for multisport athletes
+Strength training, yoga and mental training all-in-one
REASONS TO AVOID
-Videos can get a bit tired once you have watched them once
-Not as responsive to progress as TrainerRoad
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Wahoo Systm is an all-in-one training platform that caters to cyclists and triathletes with an approach that uses its own 4DP-testing protocol to map your physiological abilities beyond just your threshold power.
It incorporates a number of different attention-grabbing processes. In easier sessions, you might get a motivational documentary, while in harder sessions you’ll likely get a Sufferfest video that overlays footage from inside the pro peloton and audio cues from the team car.
Systm and TrainerRoad share a number of similarities, such as a plan builder and workout calendar. TrainerRoad excels in the size of its workout catalogue and with how it adapts to your progress. Meanwhile, Systm’s video footage makes it more immersive, while the inbuilt yoga, strength and mental training help it to appeal to those who want guidance off the bike as well as on the bike.
Best indoor cycling apps: FulGaz
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FulGaz
Physics-modelled, immersive, real rides
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Mac, Windows, iOS, Apple TV, AndroidMonthly price: £9.99
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REASONS TO BUY
+Huge catalogue of real-world footage
+Reactive video
+Workout integration
REASONS TO AVOID
-Lacking in workout and training plan features
-Multiplayer function is small
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FulGaz’s motto is less virtual, more reality and that’s precisely what this app offers. Using real ride footage and some pretty advanced physics modelling, FulGaz not only tailors resistance based on what’s happening on screen, but the footage itself will react to your effort. With 4K footage filmed from the handlebars of riders around the world, the app uses real elevation data to control the smart trainer to match what you see on the screen, also taking into account your weight and power to adjust the speed of the footage.
This is where it has its USP, the catalogue of real-world footage is broad, from the infamous Alpe D’Huez to Sunshine Canyon outside Boulder Colorado. It offers the immersive nature of something like Zwift or RGT, but with a focus on real-world locations, rather than creating virtual worlds and maps.
FulGaz has also recently added a workout library and the ability to import custom sessions from TrainingPeaks or Today’s Plan, and you can create group rides to tackle routes with friends.
Best indoor cycling apps: Rouvy
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Rouvy
The app with a bit of everything to offer, without the price tag
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows, iOS, Apple TV (Beta), AndroidMonthly price: $12.00 / €12.00
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REASONS TO BUY
+Huge feature set
+Route editor
REASONS TO AVOID
-Augmented reality is a bit clunky
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If you like the multiplayer online gaming function of Zwift, but want the real-world footage of FulGaz, then you’ll want to check out Rouvy, which has a sizeable catalogue of outdoor routes from around the world, all of which control the trainer to imitate the gradients you see on the screen.
Rouvy uses augmented reality which effectively superimposes avatars – both yours and other riders – on top of the real footage, allowing you to ride with virtual partners as well as join group rides and races with real riders from around the world, similar to Zwift, but without the virtual landscape.
Also included with the subscription is a catalogue of over 4,000 workouts featuring interactive video guides along with a custom workout builder too. Rouvy also offers one of the cheapest subscriptions at US$12 per month.
Best indoor cycling apps for beginners
Racing, training or touring?
While most indoor cycling apps serve a similar purpose – to make indoor training more enjoyable and effective – they can broadly be split into a few categories depending on what you want from the experience, including intervals, racing and interactive tourism.
Some apps, such as TrainerRoad, are straight-up training tools – think personalised workouts based on power output with a specific training goal in mind.
The newly-released Wahoo SYSTM allows you to build and follow a dedicated training plan from a large workout catalogue, and also incorporates many of the features previously found on The Sufferfest, including pro race footage to train alongside.
Others, such as Rouvy, use on-bike video from around the world, with your pedal power driving the scenic view – and, if you have a smart trainer or smart bike, the route driving the resistance.
And then there is Zwift, where you can do interactive rides, workouts and races on gamified virtual courses, with your speed based on your power-to-weight ratio in real-time.
The best app for you depends on what you want to do and, ultimately, what you want to achieve. Are you laser-focussed on interval sessions and personalised training plans or do you want an app that incorporates training features in an experience similar to a video game?
The best indoor cycling apps
Zwift has established itself as the go-to training app but there are plenty of alternatives if you want to mix-up your indoor cycling experience.
TrainerRoad is another app we have gravitated towards in the pain cave and is great for structured workouts and training plans.
The most significant launch this year was Wahoo’s SYSTM training app, while RGT Cycling is also a relative newcomer on the scene.
For most of these apps, you’re going to want to know your Functional Threshold Power (FTP) to get the most from the workouts.
Don’t worry if you don’t know it because the apps will all be able to help you determine what your FTP is – and, in turn, establish your training zones. Just be warned that finding your FTP generally involves a 20-minute all-out effort or a ramp test, so it’s no walk in the park.
Zwift
Zwift Yumezi road cycling
Zwift has arguably done more than any other app to popularise virtual riding and racing. Zwift
Founded by gamers with a love of cycling (and clearly some good investment backing), Zwift has undoubtedly transformed the indoor riding experience.
No, Zwift didn’t invent virtual riding – Bkool and Tour de Giro were among the first to offer online competition driven by rider output and physics-based algorithms. And Computrainer had the smart trainer experience years ago – but within a closed system and you had to buy a Computrainer.
Nor did Zwift invent power-based interval training. TrainerRoad had the early lead there.
But what Zwift has done is absolutely crush it on the social interaction and graphic elements of the game.
Zwift custom workouts
Zwift has a library of workouts and training plans, but you can also create your own. Zwift
With virtual group rides and races going on almost constantly, it’s easy to jump in with a group for an easy spin or an all-out slugfest. You can also ride on your own, of course, or tackle one of Zwift’s many structured training plans and workouts after taking a Zwift FTP test.
The platform’s racing aspect has also taken off, with categorised Zwift races to join based on your power-to-weight ratio if you want to stoke that competitive fire.
Zwift is regularly adding gamified elements to bring further interactivity, including introducing steering to all courses within the game (provided you have the right equipment).
A bird’s eye view of Zwift’s new virtual map Neokyo.
Zwift regularly introduces new map areas and routes. Zwift
Once you’ve got your Zwift setup sorted, you can also chat with friends and other cyclists as you ride through the app’s virtual worlds.
Routes include the fictional Watopia and Neokyo worlds, and routes inspired by real-world courses such as RideLondon, the 2015 UCI World Championships in Virginia, and the 2018 UCI Road World Championships course in Innsbruck-Tirol.
Zwift also has an Apple TV app, and you can connect your smart trainer or power meter via Bluetooth.
For more, read our complete guide to Zwift.
Platform: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Apple TV
Cost: £12.99 / $14.99 per month
Free trial period: 7 days
Device compatibility: ANT+, Bluetooth
Primary features: Solo and social riding, virtual racing, training and structured workouts
Website: Zwift.com
Wahoo SYSTM
Wahoo SYSTM
The Wahoo SYSTM workout screen is packed with data. Wahoo
Wahoo SYSTM is a new online training platform from the fitness technology brand. Wahoo has incorporated The Sufferfest with a wide range of additional training content in its new app.
Rather than going down the virtual world route, and competing with the likes of Zwift and RGT Cycling, SYSTM focuses on helping you to build and follow a training plan, alongside a large library of workouts and content.
Aimed at time-crunched athletes, SYSTM uses Wahoo’s proprietary Four Dimensional Power (4DP) profile (a kind of advanced FTP profile, more akin to Critical Power) to help tailor training plans and workouts to your individual fitness, strengths and weaknesses.
SYSTM also has an ‘intuitive training plan builder’, which enables users to customise training plans to suit their own goals and fitness level. It also takes into account both your indoor and outdoor riding, as well as any off-bike cross-training you may do.
Wahoo says every workout and training plan has been designed by its Wahoo Sports Science Division, led by professional coach Neal Henderson.
SYSTM has also imported content from The Sufferfest. Race simulations combine first-person camera footage and race data from elite riders, scaled to your fitness level, while there are also sessions set to videos of iconic cycling routes.
Wahoo SYSTM
The app also includes off-bike workouts. Wahoo
In the ‘A Week With’ category, users follow a Wahoo-sponsored professional athlete for a week, copying their turbo trainer workouts and seeing how they live and train.
SYSTM also includes classic cycling films and documentaries, such as A Sunday In Hell and Outskirts, to help you through longer base training and recovery workouts.
Platform: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Cost: £12.99 / $14.99 per month
Free trial period: 14 days
Device compatibility: ANT+, Bluetooth
Primary features: Comprehensive workout library, customisable training plan, incorporates The Sufferfest and additional content
Website: wahoofitness.com/systm
TrainerRoad
TrainerRoad iPhone
TrainerRoad is completely focused on training. TrainerRoad
Riding a trainer aimlessly, staring at the wall is about as much fun as sitting in a waiting room at the dentist’s with no WiFi. On top of that, riding with little regard for your goals and training zones isn’t really doing anything for your fitness, if you really want to make the most of your time on the turbo.
TrainerRoad takes a less is more approach to the indoor training app, focusing heavily on relatively short, measured interval training sessions. The aim is to make you fitter and faster without the bells and whistles other apps may offer.
While some folks may have the discipline to guide themselves through workouts in their basements, most people (including the majority of the BikeRadar staff) aren’t that mentally tough. But if a coach or an app is there walking you through that sweetspot or VO2 max session and all you have to do is pedal? That, we can do.
The app’s new adaptive training feature acts like an AI coach by tailoring sessions to your current condition. The software interprets your data and makes the training schedule easier if you’re fatigued or harder if you’re getting stronger.
Conclusion
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