If you have a coach, use a powermeter on your bike or a smart trainer and use Zwift what is the draw? Why pay for soemthing like Zwift when you could just use your Powermeter\Smart Trainer and headunit such as a Garmin or Element? If you are doing a prescribe workout do you still use Zwift just to have some scenery? Just curious on what the big draw is.
You can create custom workouts from your coach in Zwift.
i can use zwift for custom workouts my coach gives me plus i can use zwift for free ride days. also you the races as some workouts too. keeps me active on the trainer and motivated
Certain workouts I’ll create in Zwift then ride the course. Depending on the workout I can’t concentrate on a tv show so I’ll just ride Zwift for scenery. Other times my coach prescribes me races or workouts on Zwift to do. Either way it’s a lot more enjoyable than starring at the bars on TrainerRoad in my opinion. But I use both for certain workouts.
Been asking the same question for a while. I get prescribed interval workouts I do in erg mode and I watch netflix amazon etc, so I am not just staring at the bars. I don’t know that staring at the new version of metalman (there’s an old reference) or computer generated trees would be any more entertaining, but haven’t done it
Nearly everyone I know that’s done it likes it. and I can see that getting in on the odd race on a free day would be worthwhile. But for the bread and butter, I am not seeing it
During the off season and when we aren’t in race specific prep, my coach will actually give me specific workouts to go on Zwift and ride a certain course or do a race. Mainly the hilly courses where I will push the big climbs. When we are in race specific prep, I will still use zwift but I download the workout directly from TrainingPeaks into zwift. If your coach uses workout builder in TP, Zwift will import that workout without you having to create it on your own. It’s really easy as you just have to link your TP account to Zwift. If your coach doesn’t use workout builder in TP, you will have to create the workout manually in zwift.
This is where I am at. I get that you can take your coaches workout and enter it but I don’t see the point of paying for it to watch trees or to see other people virtually working out. I usually just take the workout write it down on a piece of paper put on netflix or music (if it is a tough one) and do the work. With so much Zwift discussion out there was trying to find the use case.
This is where I am at. I get that you can take your coaches workout and enter it but I don’t see the point of paying for it to watch trees or to see other people virtually working out. I usually just take the workout write it down on a piece of paper put on netflix or music (if it is a tough one) and do the work. With so much Zwift discussion out there was trying to find the use case.
Because what you are talking about is insanely boring. With Zwift, you can ride different courses, race people, do workouts, etc. There is events every day going on where you can group ride, race, etc. You can also do Zwift Running. You can also talk to people on Zwift.
The days of staring at walls and power meters are over. Social training online is the new thing.
Even if you use it JUST for workouts and use none of the other features, the workout mode is immersive and the gamification element (different courses, experience points, sprint jerseys, KOM jerseys, avatars, etc) is fun. You could stare at a wall and/or power meter…I have and it worked great…but if you can make it more enjoyable? Why not?
With Zwift, you get the same basic functionality as staring at your bike computer/ wall, except zwift gives you an easy to follow readout of metrics, “on course” archways signaling the beginning and end of intervals, other riders, and more. I’d consider paying 10/mo for nothing more than their workout mode.
The group rides are a good way to knock out z2 efforts. But the racing is what makes it worth it.
My coach sometimes has me do races as hard ride days. Warmup, race balls-out for 30-45’ with big surges, attacks, recoveries, etc, then cool down. There is a time and place for it, but racing pushes you. I’ve set my all time 1’, 5’ and 3rd highest 20’ power via zwift races over the last couple seasons.
The days of staring at walls and power meters are over. Social training online is the new thing.
I think you’re missing our point. We aren’t ’ staring at walls, we’re watching movies, sports etc. My question is why is staring at a graphic image any more entertaining? I get that races etc are fun, but as far as I can tell you can’t do a prescribed workout and race, unless I’m missing something. I get zwift for the unplanned race day stuff, just not for integrating it into planned workouts.
The days of staring at walls and power meters are over. Social training online is the new thing.
I think you’re missing our point. We aren’t ’ staring at walls, we’re watching movies, sports etc. My question is why is staring at a graphic image any more entertaining? I get that races etc are fun, but as far as I can tell you can’t do a prescribed workout and race, unless I’m missing something. I get zwift for the unplanned race day stuff, just not for integrating it into planned workouts.
Let me put this a different way. Zwift is the new “watching movies, sports etc”. You don’t have to use Zwift to do a workout your coach gave you…but when movies, sports, etc, gets old… Zwift is pretty cool.
Zwift here… Y’all know we have a 7-day free trial (no credit card required), right? For the skeptics, we hope you give us a try.
For those with a coach, we have integration with Training Peaks, Today’s Plan, Strava, Garmin, etc. and your coach can put your workouts into Zwift and they’ll download automatically for you day of. So you can absolutely do your prescribed workout.
If you don’t have a coach, you can pick from one of our training plans (we’re always adding more) and give it a try or just do one of the over 1000 workouts available at any time as a one-off. (Or create your own!)
Buzz with questions. Always happy to chat.
Ride On.
The days of staring at walls and power meters are over. Social training online is the new thing.
I think you’re missing our point. We aren’t ’ staring at walls, we’re watching movies, sports etc. My question is why is staring at a graphic image any more entertaining? I get that races etc are fun, but as far as I can tell you can’t do a prescribed workout and race, unless I’m missing something. I get zwift for the unplanned race day stuff, just not for integrating it into planned workouts.
Let me put this a different way. Zwift is the new “watching movies, sports etc”. You don’t have to use Zwift to do a workout your coach gave you…but when movies, sports, etc, gets old… Zwift is pretty cool.
But if I am paying a coach, it makes sense to do their workout… And I get that I can download that into zwift.
I get the racing aspect, no question. What I don’t get is the added value for say a solo 5 x 5’ at 275W workout. Can you shed any light as to how that is cooler or better than watching a good flick? Not being sarcastic, I am truly curious about what it offers. My take- and it could be totally wrong - is that you are looking at a fake street on a screen, with fake buildings, or a fake ocean, or fake trees, maybe another fake rider, with heads up display. Wrong? Right?
ETA - not bagging on zwift here at all, and fully admit my ignorance in not having tried it - but I will give the free trial a try! And maybe come back a convert. Everyone else seems to
It’s visual man. Why are people listening to Metallica or pump me up music. Call me crazy, but I find myself being able to hold the watts during a workout when I’m climbing a hill on zwift.
I have a coach, I mostly do workouts, but I love riding on Zwift. It tracks my mileage. I’m always chasing a new feat on zwift. And I love when they have contests on there. It’s something to keep it interesting.
But hey I know it’s not for everyone. But it’s for me.
The days of staring at walls and power meters are over. Social training online is the new thing.
I think you’re missing our point. We aren’t ’ staring at walls, we’re watching movies, sports etc. My question is why is staring at a graphic image any more entertaining? I get that races etc are fun, but as far as I can tell you can’t do a prescribed workout and race, unless I’m missing something. I get zwift for the unplanned race day stuff, just not for integrating it into planned workouts.
Completely understand what you are saying and where you are coming from. I was one that would normally watch sports during my workouts but I always found I never could actually watch anything since I’m in pain during most of the workout.
For the times that I use zwift for prescribed workouts which is about 80-90% of the time, I honestly barely look at the screen. But like I said above, I wouldn’t look at the tv either when I used to just watch TV. I’m staring at my Garmin watching power or somewhere towards the ground in aero position. What zwift actually does for me (and why I use it) during these workouts is it automatically controls my trainer to the prescribed workout wattage at said interval time (when in erg mode). And it tells me what wattage I’m supposed to be hitting. No more memorizing the workout or even writing it down. It’s on the screen right in front of me. And I don’t have to manually adjust the wattage setpoint every interval. At least for my kickr, I’m not a fan of adjusting the wattage in the app. It takes too long. When I’m pushing 100%+ FTP and then go right into a rest interval, my legs are screaming and it takes a bit to change the setpoint on my phone when I’m already a bit out of it. Sounds silly but I’ve tried it and it’s a bit annoying.
Just my thoughts.
I have tried it, and while it’s ok, I’d rather watch something like the itu coverage on triathlonlive.
Thanks. I watch crap like The Walking Dead so it doesn’t really matter if I am paying attention 
I know I can control my CT to preset wattages, but I am just too lazy to do it. So I do it by hand on the head unit which is a first world problem and minor PITA (but better I think than using a phone). If zwift did that automatically with a download that would be somewhat of a benefit.
The days of staring at walls and power meters are over. Social training online is the new thing.
I think you’re missing our point. We aren’t ’ staring at walls, we’re watching movies, sports etc. My question is why is staring at a graphic image any more entertaining? I get that races etc are fun, but as far as I can tell you can’t do a prescribed workout and race, unless I’m missing something. I get zwift for the unplanned race day stuff, just not for integrating it into planned workouts.
I’m also watching Netflix while riding on Zwift. When I’m doing ERG workouts I only look at Zwift when the intervals change. The Zwift ecosystem is what makes it more entertaining. The chatting with other riders, the races, the events, the group training, structured workouts, etc.
The days of staring at walls and power meters are over. Social training online is the new thing.
I think you’re missing our point. We aren’t ’ staring at walls, we’re watching movies, sports etc. My question is why is staring at a graphic image any more entertaining? I get that races etc are fun, but as far as I can tell you can’t do a prescribed workout and race, unless I’m missing something. I get zwift for the unplanned race day stuff, just not for integrating it into planned workouts.
I’m also watching Netflix while riding on Zwift. When I’m doing ERG workouts I only look at Zwift when the intervals change. The Zwift ecosystem is what makes it more entertaining. The chatting with other riders, the races, the events, the group training, structured workouts, etc.
Haha, I’m trying to figure out how I’m gonna chat with someone on that third, fourth, etc interval… I can barely talk to my wife when she comes in the room
Thanks. I watch crap like The Walking Dead so it doesn’t really matter if I am paying attention
I know I can control my CT to preset wattages, but I am just too lazy to do it. So I do it by hand on the head unit which is a first world problem and minor PITA (but better I think than using a phone). If zwift did that automatically with a download that would be somewhat of a benefit.
I used to a use a CT and the handlebar unit is much much easier than a phone. I used the handlebar unit to control wattage all the time. That’s the only thing I miss about the CT.