How to train with Zwift
Words by Kathryn Dickinson
on 02/11/2018 17:23:47
This article was written by #TeamRutland ambassador Josh Holman. Find out more about Josh >
It’s happening and there is nothing we can do about it. Winter is here and here to stay! Well for a few months at least. It is usually at this time of year that motivation to get out on the bike starts to drop, despite those ambitious goals and big plans for next season. In fact, the only time we are likely to get out is on perfectly clear days with sunny skies and usually involves a stop for coffee and cake! Surely there is a better way?!
Whether you are a cyclist or a triathlete you will have probably used a turbo trainer at one point or another. Yes there is a large amount of controversy surrounding it with people describing it as boring, and doesn’t fit into the spirit of cycling, but in my opinion those claims are massively out of date thanks to training platforms like Zwift!
Zwift has taken indoor training to the next level with its very stimulating and entertaining approach which allows riders to engage with each other on some amazing circuits all over the world! What’s more, with its vast amount of training plans, workouts and races, it is a very efficient way to spend your time on the bike and give your legs a good shot this winter! Below I am going to list the main reasons why I love Zwift so much and why you should do too!
1. Stay warm, dry and safe
Around this time of the year, our time spent outside on the bike isn’t as high as we would like it to be. We step out of the door in the morning to complete darkness, it’s cold, sometimes icy, which always makes you think twice about venturing out. Or it can happen the other way around, you finish work only to be greeted with dark and cold evenings which again makes you question the idea of going out on the bike. This is where Zwift can help. It will allow you to do your training properly without worrying about having enough lights on your bike to be seen or knowing if you are about to slide over a patch of ice. With Zwift you can perfectly replicate your session indoors and be confident in the fact that you won’t get cold, you won’t get wet and you certainly won’t fall off of your bike! So you can get in those valuable sessions regardless of the weather.
2. Convenience
In this day and age, we are all operating at a crazy rate and time is often not on our side with work constraints and other commitments constantly trying to get in the way. With Zwift, you no longer need to miss a session because you haven’t got the time to squeeze it in. There is next to no preparation time as your bike will be set up and ready to go. So instead of hunting around trying to find your best winter clothes, you can spend a few minutes finding the right playlist so that you can attack your session quickly and conveniently. In addition to this, your bike will stay perfectly clean (apart from the inevitable sweat) meaning you do not need to spend any time with a bucket and warm, soapy water.
View All Turbo Trainers 3. Social and competitive
One would think that riding indoors would be very unsociable and a lonely pursuit to those gains that you so desire, but that’s where you would be wrong. With Zwift you can practically ride side by side with your friends, take part in group workouts where you stay together no matter your ability and even chat whilst you are doing it (or in between efforts). What’s more, there is also that competitive edge which Zwift brings. Taking part in organised races where you can rank yourself based on your ability (FTP or Power to weight ratio) which really pushes you to work harder, whether you are racing your friends or a total stranger in a country hundreds of miles away! Not only does this make time fly, but it also makes it very fun!
4. Ride with pro’s
It isn’t just everyday riders who are using Zwift. There are many pro teams out there who are using this platform too, often in organised events which means that you get to line up next to your cycling hero’s and see how you stand up against them. But it is not just organised rides where you might bump into a pro. Often you will see them flash up on a route nearby you which means that you can hop onto their wheel and try to stick with them, if you so dare!
Find your nearest Rutland Cycling store
You can try out Zwift for yourself at one of the following stores: Giant Store Rutland, Grafham, Histon, Pitsford Water, Peterborough, Whitwell or Specialized Concept Store Nottingham.