No Time to Train? Start Here

Rafeeq Safodien
Jul 23, 2020
3 min read

Updated: Jun 3

We’ve all said it: “I just don’t have time to train.” Life is busy. Work, family, commitments—they pile up fast. But if you're serious about your health, your goals, or your cycling ambitions, it’s worth asking yourself a few honest questions:

Is my personal health and longevity a priority—or just a nice idea? It’s easy to say health is important, but does your daily routine reflect that?
Can I create time by rethinking my schedule or habits? You might not have time lying around unused—but you can make time by reshuffling priorities.
Where am I losing time unnecessarily? Scrolling social media, watching one more episode, hitting snooze—these little moments add up.
Is getting fitter, leaner, or mentally sharper something I truly want? Exercise improves far more than just physical appearance. Energy, focus, and resilience all improve too.
How important is my cycling (or fitness) goal to me—really? A goal is only meaningful if you're willing to make room for it in your life.
Am I prepared to open up my schedule to reflect that priority? If the answer is yes, great. If not, maybe it’s time to reassess what truly matters to you right now.

We all have the same 24 hours. We all have limited time—but how we choose to spend it reflects what we value. If your health and goals matter, make space for them. Even a little time, used consistently, can lead to big change.

Start small. Start honest. But most importantly—start.

Make the Most of Your Training Time

Once you've committed to showing up, the next step is using your time wisely. Here are a few simple tips to help you train smarter—not just harder.

Tip 1: Plan

The best way to find time is to make time. Sit down with your weekly calendar and identify when you can realistically train. Early morning, lunch breaks, after work—it all counts. Block these sessions into your schedule like non-negotiable appointments.

Apps like TrainingPeaks can help you stay organized and accountable. You’ll receive daily emails with your workout details, downloadable files, and seamless syncing with indoor training platforms and bike computers.

Treat your training time as seriously as any work meeting—and you’ll be far more likely to follow through.

Tip 2: Use a Training Plan or Work With a Coach

If your schedule is limited, your training needs to be purposeful. A well-structured plan removes guesswork and ensures every session moves you closer to your goals—whether that’s weight loss, increased endurance, or event readiness.

Even better? Work with a coach . A coach can:

Build a plan to fit your life, not the other way around.
Help you balance intensity, recovery, and progress.
Keep you accountable when motivation dips.
Answer questions and adapt the plan when life changes.

Think of a training plan or coach as an investment—one that saves time, reduces stress, and boosts your results.

Tip 3: Be Flexible

Sometimes life doesn’t care about your plan. Travel, bad weather, family emergencies—things happen. The key is flexibility. If you can’t get outside, hop on the indoor trainer. If you’re travelling, bring your bike or rent one locally. If you’re short on time, swap a long ride for a 30 minute interval session—or even a brisk walk or short strength session.

Progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about adaptation.

Tip 4: Be Consistent

Consistency beats intensity in the long run. Even if you can only train for 20–30 minutes, showing up regularly is what drives results. Don’t underestimate the value of small efforts done consistently—they build momentum, fitness, and mental resilience.

Something is always better than nothing.

Tip 5: Have Fun

Never lose sight of why you started. Cycling (or any form of movement) should bring joy, stress relief, and a sense of accomplishment. Soak in the fresh air, the freedom, the scenery, or the camaraderie of a group ride.

Training isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how it makes you feel. Stay connected to that, and motivation will follow.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to overhaul your life to make space for training—you just need to be intentional with your time, consistent with your actions, and flexible with your approach.

Your goals are possible. Your health is worth the effort. And it all starts with showing up—for yourself.

That is it. Thank you for reading. If you have questions, comments, or high fives, drop them here.