TRAINING GOES VIRTUAL
Running and Cycling Meet Virtual Reality with Zwift
By Heather C. Hamblin Images courtesy of Zwift
Train from home with Zwift.
Indoor running and cycling training is going digital thanks to Zwift, an app that incorporates virtual reality in your day-to-day fitness experience. Unfortunately, you’ll still have to do the cardio work yourself, but Zwift lets you inject a virtual element into your training, bringing you new scenery, data tracking, and a community of other athletes for friendly competition and company. (A bonus if you’re trying to avoid illness but miss the community of training with others.)
treadmills, runners can simply wear a cadence tracker, which typically clips onto the laces of your shoes to track your speed, distance, and cadence. Zwift works with many different brands of cadence trackers; one of the least expensive options is their own, the Zwift RunPod at $39.99. Its NPE Runn Tracker device makes any treadmill smart, by hooking to the side of your treadmill and measuring speed from your treadmill belt.
After initial beta testing in 2014, Zwift’s popularity exploded. Users, often called “Zwifters,” can run or bike all over the world from the comfort of their own home or the gym. The app also connects users to other popular training apps, such as Strava and TrainingPeaks, where you can upload and share your Zwift rides, races, and runs.
For Cyclists Cyclists will need their bike and a trainer. Trainers sit on the ground and connect to the back axle of the bike. The most basic trainers cost around $50, while a smart trainer that automatically adjusts resistance and measures speed, power, and distance can run well over $1000. Once in the app, you can acquire different Zwift bikes to maximize your performance on whatever virtual terrain you choose. It's just like choosing between Yoshi on a motorcycle or Bowser in a flame runner on Mario Kart.
How Does It Work? New users get a seven-day free trial of the Zwift app, after which the subscription fee is $14.99 per month, but you will need some gear. In addition to a bike for cyclists, or a treadmill for runners, there's specific equipment Zwift. First, you need a device to connect to the Zwift app. The most popular device to use is an Apple iPad, but the app also works on PCs, Macs, iPhones, Apple TV, Android phones, and tablets.
Once you have all your tech set, you’re ready to go. In the app, create your own avatar and choose your training adventure. Users can select a structured workout—some are as little as 30 minutes— like a customized training plan created by coaches, a race or competition, or a free ride/run. Track your distance, speed, and other stats to drive your own progress, or just go for distance and enjoy the virtual scenery.
For Runners After that, runners must have a device for tracking their runs. Many smart treadmills with Bluetooth capability connect directly with the Zwift app, making that a very easy option. For all other
Location, Location One of the most compelling aspects of the Zwift app is the various locations you can visit in your virtual training world. Run or bike in New York City, London, Innsbruck, Yorkshire, Richmond, Bologna, Crit City, or
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