10 of the Best Things to Watch on Your Indoor Trainer

Written by
Michael Nystrom
There's no denying it, time spent on the trainer can be as effective as taking your ride outdoors. Just ask Mathew Hayman who trained exclusively indoors and won on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix in 2016. But what you gain in physical fitness and endurance, you lose in mental stimulation—there's nothing worse than an hour or two in the pain cave with no semblance of entertainment. But we've got you covered. From interactive worlds to high-octane videos, these are sure to keep you engaged for hours.
"Tour de Pharmacy"
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Professional cycling is not without its excesses and flaws, and executive producer Andy Samberg capitalizes on these quirks in the satirical "Tour de Pharmacy." This tongue-in-cheek portrayal of the 1982 Tour de France features a star-studded cast, including John Cena, Orlando Bloom, Jeff Goldblum and Mike Tyson. Told through the prospective of five riders from the race, the mockumentary details the world of doping and its prevalence in professional cycling. You might even spot one particularly notorious real-life figure make a surprise cameo in the film.
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"Icarus"
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What would you do if you had the chance to try performance enhancing drugs under the supervision of professionals? Watch as filmmaker and amateur cyclist Bryan Fogel's own doping regimen drops him right into the epicenter of a global doping scandal with ties to Russia, the Olympic Games and unexplained deaths. Not a reenactment or docudrama, "Icarus" will have you sitting on the edge of your saddle for hours.
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Carmichael Training Systems Videos
Strava Premium $7.99
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If you upgraded from the free version of Strava, you may not have noticed the handful of training videos available to stream. Designed by coach Chris Carmichael, these guided workouts are tailored to help you increase your power and stamina, improve your comfort with intervals and focus on your climbing.
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The Sufferfest
7-Day Free Trial, $10/month
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For most cyclists, suffering is the name of the game. The Sufferfest's full library houses structured intervals designed to target specifics—climbing, speed, endurance, and efficiency—depending on your goals. Enjoy in-race footage from some of cycling's biggest events as you ride directly in the professional peloton. Suffering has never been this enjoyable.
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"Clean Spirit"
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Ever wonder what the life of a professional cyclist is like at the Tour de France? Follow team Argos-Shimano as it undertakes the 100th edition of this iconic race, and see the victories, heartaches, drama and overall sense of teamwork and camaraderie firsthand. Watch as elite sprinter Marcel Kittel and his team of outspoken clean riders claim victory in the final stage on the Champs Élysées, as well as the preparation it took to get there.
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"Slaying the Badger"
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Though overshadowed by Lance Armstrong's exploits, Greg LeMond was the first American winner of the Tour de France. His iconic 1986 Tour win was not without drama—his friend and teammate, Bernard Hinault (a.k.a. the Badger), were on the offensive, despite promising to ride for the American. This documentary chronicles the achievements of the two legendary cyclists and how the historic rivalry propelled their successes to new heights.
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Zwift
3-Month Subscription $45, 1-Year Subscription $180
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What was once a novelty has exploded into a must-have for winter. Zwift is a virtual world where you can ride and compete with friends and strangers in real time. Pair your smart trainer to your computer for interactive training sessions—when your avatar climbs uphill, your pedaling gets harder. You'll never look at indoor rides the same way again.
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"Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist"
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We've all seen the iconic images of Armstrong and Marco Pantani battling it out on the storied climbs of the Tour de France. Former winner of both in France and at the Giro d'Italia, the Pirate was one of the most popular cyclists of his time. Witness his drive and determination to get to the highest level of professional cycling, as well as his untimely downfall after a doping scandal and battle with drug abuse in this popular documentary.
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epicRIDES
Prices Vary
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Have you ever wanted to ride up Mt. Baldy or over Beartooth Pass? EpicRides makes it easy to ride the most drool-worthy climbs in cycling from the "comfort" of your pain cave. The DVD and digital downloads include between 45 and 90 minutes of content depending on the route you choose. Better yet, an elevation graphic is superimposed on the bottom of the screen so you can see where you're at on the climb at any given time.
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2016 Paris-Roubaix
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Remember when we mentioned Hayman prepared for the 2016 Paris-Roubaix on an indoor trainer? Check out the behind-the-scenes look with team ORICA Scott's preparations for the one-day cycling race, inside the team car during the competition and its postrace celebrations. If this doesn't get you excited for what a proper session in your garage can do, nothing will.
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Find:
Your Next Ride