Published September 18, 2026 | Written by FuturePeaks

Indoor Cycling – How to Get Started with Zwift, MyWhoosh and ROUVY

Indoor cycling has changed significantly since the days when you would just put your bike on a trainer for the winter and stare at a wall for an hour. With today's smart trainers, your bike connects to a training app where you can ride routes, perform precisely guided workouts, or compete against other cyclists.

Getting started is also much easier than many think. Practically, all you need is a bike, a trainer, and a device to run an app like Zwift, MyWhoosh, or ROUVY. A phone, tablet, or a decent laptop is more than enough to get going, so you don't need to invest in an expensive computer or a separate training room right away.

Once your bike and trainer are set up, you can start training in a matter of minutes. You can also dismantle the setup quickly after your session, making indoor cycling perfectly feasible in a regular home. You can even watch TV while doing a steady endurance workout.

What do you need for indoor cycling?

The basic kit is actually surprisingly simple:

• your own bike
• a smart trainer, for example, Wahoo
• Zwift, MyWhoosh, ROUVY, or another compatible app
• a phone, tablet, or laptop
• a powerful fan
• a water bottle and a towel
• a trainer mat or other floor protection

If you use a laptop, a small table or stand next to the trainer is practical. In addition to your computer, it can hold your water bottle, phone, and other items you need during your session. For tablets and phones, there are mounts available that can be attached to the bike or to the bike computer mount.

If you are looking for a trainer, you can check out FuturePeaks' Wahoo products here.

Zwift, MyWhoosh and ROUVY – what is the difference?

Zwift

Zwift is the most well-known indoor cycling platform for many. It is built around a virtual world where you ride at your own power while seeing other real riders. Zwift is great for endurance rides, training plans, and races alike. Its greatest strength is its active community and the wide variety of events.

MyWhoosh

MyWhoosh is an interesting alternative, especially if you want to start virtual cycling without a monthly subscription. The platform features workouts, events, and races, so it is not just a light alternative but a genuine training tool for goal-oriented cyclists as well.

ROUVY

ROUVY brings a slightly different vibe to indoor cycling. While Zwift is more gamified, ROUVY emphasizes real-world routes filmed in actual locations and a more realistic riding experience. Many prefer it specifically because the atmosphere feels more like real road cycling.

Also, keep in mind that you don't have to choose your app permanently right away. For many, the best solution is found by testing which platform keeps them most motivated to ride.

Indoor cycling is easy and time-efficient

One of the biggest advantages of indoor cycling is convenience. Once your bike is on the trainer or the setup is easy to assemble, a workout can start in just a few minutes. Indoors, you don't have to worry about the weather, traffic, darkness, or finding a suitable place for interval training.

This is a major advantage, especially for short and high-quality workouts. On a trainer, you can perform FTP, threshold, and VO2max workouts very efficiently, because every minute is spent exactly on the workout you intended to do.

Heat and hydration are emphasized indoors

One thing that surprises many during their first indoor sessions is how quickly it gets really hot indoors. Outdoors, the air moves naturally, but inside, that cooling effect is missing. That is why a powerful fan is practically one of the most important pieces of equipment for trainer training.

As training sessions get longer or more intense, the importance of hydration also increases. In a short, light workout, water might suffice, but in longer sessions, repeated hard workouts, and races, you should also ensure you are getting enough energy and electrolytes.

Sports drinks are often the easiest solution for this, as they provide both fluid and carbohydrates. During indoor sessions, you should also practice refueling the same way you would during the outdoor season.

See FuturePeaks' sports drinks here and gels and energy chews here.

Virtual racing makes indoor cycling addictive

For many, indoor cycling becomes especially interesting once racing enters the picture. Zwift constantly hosts races of various levels, which you can join either with a competitive spirit or simply as a hard workout for the week.

Racing doesn't mean you have to aim for the podium immediately. In virtual races, you can easily race against your own group, gain experience, and learn a lot about your own performance. For many, it is the races that provide extra motivation for winter training.

Ride Club Finland and Discord bring a community along

You don't have to do indoor cycling alone. In Finland, Ride Club Finland has active e-cycling activities, utilizing indoor cycling for both training and racing. It is worth checking out, especially if you are interested in more Zwift or MyWhoosh riding.

The Ride Club Finland community can also be found on Discord, where you can discuss training, ask for advice, and find company for group rides or races. This lowers the barrier to joining, especially if virtual racing is still new to you.

Check out Ride Club Finland's e-cycling activities here and see membership and Discord instructions here.

Specialty products can also be useful for the goal-oriented indoor cyclist

The basics always come first: a functional trainer, good ventilation, sufficient hydration, and enough energy during the workout. As your training becomes more goal-oriented, incorporating regular FTP, threshold, and VO2max workouts or Zwift races, specialty products can also become interesting.

For example, caffeine can be suitable before a hard trainer workout or race. Nitrates might be of interest before an important race or key session. Beta-alanine and bicarbonate can be useful, especially in high-intensity training and race performances. Additionally, recovery-supporting products can be useful when you have a high training volume or multiple hard sessions during the week.

However, specialty products do not replace the basics. They work best when your training, energy intake, hydration, and recovery are already in order. Also, you should always test them in training first, not in the most important race of the season.

Summary

Getting into indoor cycling is very easy these days. You don't need an expensive equipment package or a dedicated training room to start; your own bike, a smart trainer, and a phone, tablet, or laptop will take you a long way. Zwift, MyWhoosh, and ROUVY offer slightly different ways to train, and each can be a viable option depending on what motivates you the most.

When you add good ventilation, proper hydration, and sports drinks or energy products when needed, indoor cycling is a very effective way to improve your fitness year-round. And if you are interested in community or competition, Ride Club Finland's e-cycling activity is a great place to get involved.