1. effective training plans
Zwift's training function not only imitates outdoor conditions, but also combines physical training stimuli with an online community. Regardless of your cycling level, you can use the workouts, specific training plans and the Hardware from Zwift to create your ideal training environment and prepare you for your goals.
Zwift's training plans are targeted and motivating. Not only will your cardiovascular system and your cycling-specific strength be strengthened and your endurance improved. You can also prepare for goals in your sport, whether you are pursuing goals on a road bike, gravel bike, mountain bike or even running. Zwift offers different plans that are designed to meet the requirements of each sport. To stay motivated, it is also important that the hours per week specified in your training plan can be integrated into your everyday life. To this end, Zwift offers plans with different durations and different amounts of time per week to choose from.
If you don't want to follow an entire training plan, you can also choose from over 1000 workouts. Practical: there are plenty of short workouts for the training quickie, "30 minutes to burn". But there are also longer workouts grouped according to duration.
2. prepare for outdoor journeys with virtual routes
Zwift's 'Explore routes' feature is not only a visual treat created by video game developers and cyclists, but also a handy tool to prepare you for outdoor rides. Are you planning to ride Alpine passes in summer? Do you want to set a new personal best on a flat segment? The routes in the virtual worlds of Watopia and Co. replicate real cycling conditions. So you can choose routes that are close to your goals. This is how Indoor training not just a physical exercise, but a practical step towards your next cycling adventure, whether it's the mountains in summer, a criterium or your first gravel race.
In addition, you can even embark on a real-world virtual cycling adventure with Zwift's Climb Portal. The Climb Portal takes you to a selection of the world's most famous climbs. Climbs and hairpin bends are modelled, but the Climb Portal does not have the surrounding landscape. That's a good thing, because then the surprise on the "real" tour is bigger. Climbs that were part of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift can also be found in the Climb Portal. So let's go climbing! Alone, with friends or with a training group.
How to get to the Climb Portal: Scroll down on the start screen and select a Climb Portal route under "Ride only". After a short warm-up phase, cross the portal and off you go. The virtual road perfectly replicates the ascent and is colourful - blue, green, yellow or red depending on the gradient. So you always know what to expect next. One idea is to use these clues and increase your speed on the steeper sections. You can use the flatter sections to recover.
3. virtual bike races - anytime and anywhere
Do you fancy racing? With Zwift, there are practically round-the-clock opportunities to measure your performance against others and take part in races. The motivation to push yourself to the limit is often much greater in a race. The real-time nature of Zwift races ensures excitement and a sense of community on every virtual kilometre.
Nobody needs to be afraid of virtual races. You don't have to be an experienced racing driver to take part in such events. There are events and races for all skill levels. Anyone who has tried it once will know that these races on Zwift are fun, exciting and of course challenging. They are also an efficient way to get one step closer to your fitness goal. A race is not just a race, but can also be an effective training session.
4th Community
The community on Zwift goes beyond forums and social functions; the community transforms solitary training into a shared experience. Cyclists around the world can connect, create group events or participate in events - and you can always chat with each other. This creates a sense of belonging, almost like being outdoors. Plus point: you can also cycle together on Zwift with friends who have travelled to a completely different part of the world.
Exactly this community experience can be realised with the Zwift Companion app even more. Basically, the app is a personalised remote control for your ride. This free app is a real godsend because it increases the efficiency and fun of your training sessions. It allows you to stay connected with other Zwifters, send encouraging ride ons, strategically use PowerUps, track your performance stats and much more. Zwift Companion isn't just an accessory, it's an essential tool that brings a new level of interactivity and engagement to your virtual bike ride.
Zwift places great emphasis on inclusion and ensures that cyclists of all abilities and backgrounds can participate in virtual cycling. Zwift's training environment supports and motivates everyone to push themselves to their individual limits - and to push them further, motivating everyone to push themselves to their limits.
Whether you're an experienced cyclist or new to the sport, the benefits of the Zwift community offer a unique opportunity to share the joy of cycling, celebrate success and connect with like-minded people, making indoor training a social experience.
5. better cycling thanks to Zwift
The benefits of Zwift make the platform an effective tool for anyone who wants to become more efficient on the bike, regardless of current level or experience in the sport. With its effective training, proximity to outdoor cycling, Zwift races, connected community and a vision for the future of cycling, Zwift will take your cycling journey to new heights.
To get started, go to Zwift.com and take out the subscription that suits you. An annual subscription is available for €149.99 per year, a monthly subscription for €14.99 per month.