<description>&lt;p data-start="7229" data-end="7705"&gt;In this highly practical episode, Coach Jen is breaking down how to make indoor cycling trainer rides suck significantly less this winter. Learn how to reduce friction, create a motivating trainer setup, build smarter (and shorter!) workouts, use power-based intervals effectively, and understand why strength training makes indoor rides dramatically more comfortable. If you’re tired of dreading your indoor trainer, this episode is your new winter survival guide.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Check out these other relevant episodes:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;233. &lt;a href="https://shifthumanperformance.com/2025/11/21/233-the-secret-off-season-training-formula-train-less-get-fitter-be-happier/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;The Secret Off-Season Training Formula&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;226. &lt;a href="https://shifthumanperformance.com/2025/10/02/off-season-strength-training-for-cyclists_build-your-best-season-yet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Off-Season Strength Training for Cyclists: Build Your Best Season Yet&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;221. &lt;a href="https://shifthumanperformance.com/2025/08/14/221-how-to-develop-durability-on-the-bike/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;How to Develop Durability on the Bike&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h5 class="p1"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Do you have nutrition and fitness goals? I&amp;#8217;m your coach! &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you&amp;#8217;re ready to &lt;em&gt;finally&lt;/em&gt; make some sustainable progress, feel strong and powerful on every climb uphill, feel less pain, perform better, or lose a few extra pounds, then apply to work with me by &lt;a href="https://wvy4j2tn9vy.typeform.com/to/efp8oWSk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;clicking here&lt;/a&gt;. I work with people just like you, and you&amp;#8217;ll see results a helluva lot faster than on your own.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h5&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://shifthumanperformance.com/shredstrong/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;#ShredStrong: Our Winter Cycle Starts on &lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;Monday, January 5, 2026&lt;/span&gt;!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;p&gt;#ShredStrong is my year-round strength training program for mountain bikers and gravel cyclists. You can join any time you want, but we&amp;#8217;re starting the main Winter cycle in January! &lt;a href="https://shifthumanperformance.com/shredstrong/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Learn more about the program and sign-up HERE! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong data-start="6994" data-end="7007"&gt;Keywords:&lt;/strong&gt; indoor cycling tips, indoor trainer, trainer motivation, winter training cycling, make trainer rides easier, mountain bike winter training, indoor riding hacks, Zwift motivation, cycling strength training winter, Shred Strong program&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Making Shift Happen

Jen Kates with Shift Human Performance

234. How to Not Hate Your Trainer: Making Indoor Rides Suck 80% Less

NOV 27, 202522 MIN
Making Shift Happen

234. How to Not Hate Your Trainer: Making Indoor Rides Suck 80% Less

NOV 27, 202522 MIN

Description

<p data-start="7229" data-end="7705">In this highly practical episode, Coach Jen is breaking down how to make indoor cycling trainer rides suck significantly less this winter. Learn how to reduce friction, create a motivating trainer setup, build smarter (and shorter!) workouts, use power-based intervals effectively, and understand why strength training makes indoor rides dramatically more comfortable. If you’re tired of dreading your indoor trainer, this episode is your new winter survival guide.</p> <p>Check out these other relevant episodes:</p> <ul> <li>233. <a href="https://shifthumanperformance.com/2025/11/21/233-the-secret-off-season-training-formula-train-less-get-fitter-be-happier/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Secret Off-Season Training Formula</a></li> <li>226. <a href="https://shifthumanperformance.com/2025/10/02/off-season-strength-training-for-cyclists_build-your-best-season-yet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Off-Season Strength Training for Cyclists: Build Your Best Season Yet</a></li> <li>221. <a href="https://shifthumanperformance.com/2025/08/14/221-how-to-develop-durability-on-the-bike/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to Develop Durability on the Bike</a></li> </ul> <h5 class="p1"><strong>Do you have nutrition and fitness goals? I&#8217;m your coach! </strong></h5> <p>If you&#8217;re ready to <em>finally</em> make some sustainable progress, feel strong and powerful on every climb uphill, feel less pain, perform better, or lose a few extra pounds, then apply to work with me by <a href="https://wvy4j2tn9vy.typeform.com/to/efp8oWSk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clicking here</a>. I work with people just like you, and you&#8217;ll see results a helluva lot faster than on your own.</p> <h5><strong><a href="https://shifthumanperformance.com/shredstrong/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#ShredStrong: Our Winter Cycle Starts on <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Monday, January 5, 2026</span>!</a></strong></h5> <p>#ShredStrong is my year-round strength training program for mountain bikers and gravel cyclists. You can join any time you want, but we&#8217;re starting the main Winter cycle in January! <a href="https://shifthumanperformance.com/shredstrong/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more about the program and sign-up HERE! </a></p> <p><strong data-start="6994" data-end="7007">Keywords:</strong> indoor cycling tips, indoor trainer, trainer motivation, winter training cycling, make trainer rides easier, mountain bike winter training, indoor riding hacks, Zwift motivation, cycling strength training winter, Shred Strong program</p>