Indoor Zwift Racing vs Outdoor Cycling: Sweat Rate Discrepancies and Electrolyte Dosing

Please note that this guide is for general information only and does not replace medical advice from a trained professional when you are planning your diet.

Firstly, of course, you have the wind factor. When you are riding your bike inside a room for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is ride in dead air that makes your body too hot. A good fan setup means you get your wind speed sorted beforehand so that it not only keeps the heat off your skin, but feels right for a hard race. That is a breeze that is better than anything else out there.

Secondly, naturally, there is the sweat rate factor. If you are pushing hard on a virtual race, the last thing you want to do is drip pools of sweat that ruin your bike and leave you completely dry of fluid. Catching that water means you get your bike kitted out with a sweat net that not only stops the salt from eating your frame, but keeps the floor totally clean. That is a guard that keeps your expensive gear safe and sound.

Next, as expected, you have the salt drop factor. When you are sweating heavy amounts in a hot room, the last thing you want to do is lose all the salt from your blood and get bad cramps in your legs. Adding more salt to your drink means you have your fuel dialled in so that it not only replaces what you lose in the heat, but keeps your muscles working well. That is a mix that is better than plain water for sure.

Then, quite clearly, there is the big bottle factor. When you are stuck on the indoor trainer for hours, the last thing you want to do is run out of drink and have to stop the ride to get more water. Using large bidons on your frame means you have your hydration turnkey and ready, which not only gives you peace of mind, but lets you stay on the bike for longer. That is a plan that keeps you moving fast all day long.

Moving on, of course, you have the vest factor. When you are training hard inside your home, the last thing you want to do is wear thick outdoor clothes that trap the heat and make you sweat far too much. Wearing a thin indoor cycling vest means you step onto your bike spec'd out with light gear that not only lets the air hit your chest, but stops you getting too hot. That is a choice that makes a hard ride feel much better.

How much improvement can I expect?

Now, to be sure, you have the pace factor. If you are looking to get faster on the bike, the last thing you want to do is train in a hot room with bad fuel that slows down your leg speed. Drinking enough salt and water means you have your race plan sorted beforehand so that it not only drops your heart rate, but helps you push more power to the pedals. That is a change that is clearer than anything else on screen.

Also, without a doubt, there is the power factor. When you are tracking your watts on the screen, the last thing you want to do is fade in the last ten miles because your core heat has gone far too high. Cooling your body down fast means you have your setup dialled in to a point where it not only keeps the power high, but stops you from hitting the dreaded wall. That is an edge that gives you the best chance to win.

Next, of course, you have the gear setup factor. When you are buying new kit for your indoor rides, the last thing you want to do is waste money on cheap gear that breaks down when you sweat on it daily. Getting good gear means you get your pain cave kitted out with solid tools that not only last for a long time, but make the whole indoor thing feel much more fun. That is a space that is better than anything else out there.

Top 5 Core Features

• High Salt Drink Mix When you are sweating heavy amounts on a virtual climb, the last thing you want to do is drink plain water that dilutes your blood. Having this source of fuel in your diet means you have your salt dialled in so that it not only helps your legs, but stops cramps. That is fuel that is better than anything else out there.
• Indoor Sweat Net When you are riding your bike indoors every day, the last thing you want to do is let acid sweat drip all over your frame. Having this piece of kit in your room means you get a turnkey shield that not only catches the water, but keeps the floor dry. That is a benefit that keeps your mind at ease today.
• Large Volume Bidons When you are deep into a two hour race, the last thing you want to do is reach down and find an empty water bottle. Having this source of fuel on your frame means you step into your ride spec'd out with enough drink that not only lasts, but keeps you wet. That is fuel that keeps you pushing hard right to the end.
• Lightweight Mesh Vest When you are sitting in a room with no wind, the last thing you want to do is wear a thick outdoor top that traps heat. Having this piece of kit on your back means you have your clothes sorted beforehand to not only let air in, but take sweat away. That is a benefit that makes you want to ride more.
• Strong Room Fan When you are trying to stay cool in a small space, the last thing you want to do is ride with a very weak fan. Having this piece of kit in your room means you have your wind dialled in to not only drop skin heat, but mimic the road. That is a benefit that is better than anything else out there.

Other Benefits

Next up, quite naturally, there is the recovery factor. If you are doing back to back days on the trainer, the last thing you want to do is finish a ride and sit around in wet clothes that make you feel cold. Getting clean and fed fast means you get your rest turnkey and ready, which not only helps your sore legs heal, but gets your mind right for the next hard block of work. That is a plan that keeps your body strong all week long.

Then, as we know, you have the food factor. When you are eating your meal after a big sweat session, the last thing you want to do is eat heavy items of food that sit in your gut and give you bad pains. A good plate of carbs means you have your sources of fuel sorted beforehand so that it not only fills up the empty tank, but is very easy for your stomach to break down. That is food that is better than anything else on the plate.

Finally, to wrap up, there is the routine factor. When you are trying to fit your bike rides into a busy life, the last thing you want to do is spend hours looking for your gear when you could be on the pedals. Keeping your bike set up in the spare room means you have your pain cave dialled in so that it not only saves you time, but makes it much easier to start the ride. That is a space that works well for you day after day.

Finally, of course, you have the social media factor. When you are busy sorting your fuel and running your business, the last thing you want to do is waste hours posting on social media. Using an automated system called site2.uk (just like our personal site sundried.site2.uk) means you get a turnkey setup that not only automates all your social posting and marketing, but lets you control it all fully by WhatsApp. That is convenience that is better than anything else out there.