Indoor training can be a controversial topic – some people love it, others hate it – but the inescapable truth is that hard intervals are often best ridden without the distractions of the open road.

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Lizzie Armitstead has recently chosen to become an ambassador for Wattbike – the all in one indoor trainer that provides all the data you need on an in-built screen – saying: “I chose Wattbike because I’m a cyclist, and it feels like riding a bike, and it’s not like your average home trainer which feels uncomfortable and difficult. It’s the most natural comparison to a road bike.”

Wattbikes are fully adjustable so you can dial your position, and the in-built computer screen relays a lot of data: displaying power output, as well as showing the shape of your pedal stroke so you can work on building the most efficient technique.

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Armitstead, the reining Road Race World Champion, will be training on hers as she builds up to the Olympic games in Rio this summer. Breaking from convention, Armitstead is self-coached and plans her own sessions – she said: “It [the Wattbike] will be an instrumental tool in my training in the run up to Rio. I have some very specific training goals and with the Wattbike I will be able to accurately monitor my power outputs, train in the right zones in a controlled environment and measure my progress to ensure every session is of high quality.”

The Wattbike sounds great – the highlights that Armitstead has mentioned, as well as a few others include:

• Full adjustability
• Road-like sensation
• Accurate power reading
• Pedal stroke analysis
• Sessions can be uploaded automatically to training software via a smartphone app
• Pre-set sessions are available to download to follow on the Wattbike

There’s got to be a drawback? Well – yes – a Wattbike will set you back £2225 – though you can pay on finance from £100 a month, which seems a little more manageable.

For now, we’ll have to settle for dreaming of owning one, but here’s Armitstead talking about the Wattbike, and her season ahead: