Zwift

Zwift is a fitness technology company that allows users to interact, train and race on its virtual online cycling platform. Zwift has approximately one million subscribers and has completely changed how cyclists view training.

History

Zwift was launched in 2014 by co-founders Jon Mayfield, Eric Min, Scott Barger, and Alarik Myrin. The company released a beta version of the training platform from its California headquarters in September 2014. The idea for Zwift stemmed from Min’s frustration with the lack of interactive indoor cycling options.

From the first days of Zwift launching, interest in the virtual cycling platform was high. The company received 13,000 applications for just 1,000 beta places in the Autumn of 2014. Zwift officially launched in October 2015 for a $10 monthly subscription fee.

Using a bike, a trainer or a set of rollers and either a power meter, smart trainer, or cadence sensor, Zwift uses an algorithm to translate a rider’s data into their avatar’s speed on Zwift. The platform uses the rider’s weight, power, road gradient and virtual draft from other riders.

The company raised another $450 million two years later as it bid to enhance its software and release other indoor training-related products. Zwift’s first hardware product eventually arrived in 2022 - a turbo trainer known as the Zwift Hub. Zwift is partnered with several WorldTour teams and is the title sponsor of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift and Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift.

Zwift has also strengthened its links to elite cycling through its Zwift Academy program which has run annually since 2016. Program winners, who include UAE Team Emirates’ Jay Vine, earn a professional contract and the opportunity to build a career in the pro peloton.

Key Moments

2016 - Zwift launches on iOS

After going public for PC and Mac users in 2015, Zwift opened the door to a new wave of cyclists a year later when it launched an iOS version. With Zwift now available on iPhones and iPads, riders could join the platform from even more places than ever before.

2019 - The Drop Shop opens

The customisation and gamification of Zwift reached a new level with the launch of the Drop Shop, allowing riders to kit out their avatars with a range of bikes and other gear. Riders can use the platform’s virtual currency, Drops, earned while riding, to purchase the best bikes and wheels that have a direct impact on performance.

2022 - Zwift’s first hardware product

The Zwift Hub marked Zwift’s first foray into the training hardware market as it looked to provide subscribers with a more affordable way to ride on Zwift. The new smart trainer, which comes custom-matched to your cassette, aimed to eliminate any compatibility issues consumers might have faced between bike, trainer, and app.

What you can do on Zwift

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Workouts

If you want to add some structure to your training, it’s worth exploring Zwift’s extensive range of workouts. Each workout has a description so you know what it entails and Zwift even tailors the workouts to your FTP. Don’t know your FTP? Don’t worry! Zwift has multiple FTP tests available.

Worlds and routes

There are 12 virtual 'worlds' on Zwift, and each day there are three worlds available. One of these is always Watopia and the other two change daily. Once you've selected the world you want to ride in, click ‘Routes’. This displays all of the routes in that world, and you can scroll through them to see the distance and elevation for each. Most worlds offer everything from leg-sapping, hilly courses to pan-flat routes, depending on what kind of riding you enjoy or how hard you want to push yourself.

Racing and group rides

Through Zwift, you can enjoy group rides or even tap into your competitive side with races, providing hours of entertainment. These group rides and races are available all day, every day, no matter where in the world you are, and they're organised according to fitness levels.

Ride with friends and pros

You can search for specific riders and ride along with them. It could be family, friends, your favourite pro or one of GCN's presenters. They can all be found through the Zwift Companion app, which also lets you communicate with your fellow riders.

Use your power-ups

One of the key gamification features of Zwift is that you can enhance your performance by picking up power-ups along the route. These include speed boosters, weight adjusters, and the famous breakaway burrito.

Customise your avatar

One of the many fun features on Zwift is the ability to change the appearance of the virtual ‘you’ that you - and others - will see on screen. There are different jerseys, helmets and bikes, plus you can unlock more things as you ride. Before long, you could be riding on your dream bike. It’s just a shame it’s not that simple in the real world.

Did you know?

Pro cycling

© Sprint Cycling Agency

Current sponsorships: Tour de France Femmes, UCI World Championships, Ineos Grenadiers, Jumbo-Visma, Canyon-SRAM, Alpecin-Deceuninck.

Zwift Academy: The Zwift Academy was set up in 2016 as a talent identification programme - an indoor racing competition with the prize of a pro contract on the open road. Leah Thorvilson was the first winner, going pro with Canyon-SRAM, who have since added six more graduates. The men’s programme launched in 2017, first through the Dimension Data team, and more recently through Alpecin-Deceuninck. The most-high profile graduate is Jay Vine, the 2020 winner who went on to win two stages of the Vuelta a España in 2022, before signing for UAE Team Emirates in 2023.