Published April 27, 2011 08:34AM
More and more novice triathletes are taking advantage of the convenience and challenge of CompuTrainers.
Pete Carabetta won’t have to burn gas or frequent flyer miles to train on the hilly and technical 112-mile Ironman Wisconsin bike course he’ll be racing in September.
Instead, the 63-year-old Fed Ex driver and President of Space Coast Triathletes will mosey over to the Triathlon Training Store in Cocoa, Fla., and set up his bike on one of the studio’s eight CompuTrainers (CT) and pedal away on an exact course simulation.
“Most of the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 courses are pre-loaded,” said Linda Cowart, the store’s owner and a USA Triathlon-certified coach. “The CT will automatically change the load of resistance on your back wheel based on GPS elevations from the actual routes.”
The real beauty, however, is even a beginning cyclist can benefit from the CT technology and do so while riding the same course at the same time in the same room as the pro.
“The first session of the CT program begins with a time trial to determine the average wattage an individual can sustain over a 20-minute period,” Cowart said. “That number is referred to as your functional threshold power and this output parameter provides a physiologically sound basis around which to design an individualized program.”
Read More: Florida Today