Gone are the days when you had to be patient and pedal while staring at a fan. Thanks to training apps, it's possible to improve your cycling performance from home at any time, without feeling alone in the world!

"In recent years, Zwift has transformed trainer-based training," says Sébastien Boulé, manager of Bicycles Quilicot Laval. "It's the first smart training simulator."

By subscribing to the app on a monthly basis, you can ride on European circuits accompanied by cyclists from all over the world. "It's like a video game... but with real people!" Sébastien specifies.

Every cyclist sharing the road with us can be either our regular spinning buddy or a Japanese cyclist. It's also possible to communicate directly with them; an encouragement during a climb or a challenge? Beyond the social aspect, Zwift offers personalized workouts based on data recorded from our previous performances. No more improvising blindly!

Getting the most out of Zwift

For there to be synergy between what we do on our bike and what we see on the screen (of our smartphone, tablet, or computer), communication is essential. If we tackle a hill on the screen, we want to feel it in our legs! And it's not true that all the effort we put into each pedal stroke will be in vain: we want to see the result on our speed progression!

That's why Bicycles Quilicot recommends "Zwift users" acquire a smart trainer (Tacx Vortex) or a direct-drive trainer (Tacx Flux). Find all Tacx models on our website.

"A smart (SMART) trainer allows the software to adequately simulate the outdoor road, giving us the full experience," says Sébastien. As for the direct-drive trainer, it offers more natural sensations, eliminating friction (and associated noise) by anchoring directly to the rear of the bike, in place of the rear wheel.

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"What guides the choice is often a question of budget," Sébastien Boulé continues. "A good smart trainer costs around $700, while a direct-drive trainer will cost $1,200 (and more)."

"You can also cheat by using a standard trainer ($200 and up), to which you add smart sensors," Sébastien reassures. Zwift will then be able to perceive the bike's data (we push harder, we watch our bike accelerate, for example), but the application will not be able to communicate back (we will never feel the elevation changes of the course on the screen.)

Other apps to try...

• FulGaz , for its impressive library of videos of the world's most beautiful roads.
• RGT Cycling , a training simulator... for free.
• Rouvy , over 2,500 routes offered, to cycle around the world without leaving your home.
• The Sufferfest , for its extensive inventory of interval workouts and its attractive data graphics for all serious athletes keen on statistics.
• VirtuGO , similar to Zwift, but more focused on structured training.
• Xert analyzes your data to tell you exactly what to do to achieve your goals.