It wasn’t too long ago that when the weather changed cyclists faced grim weather or ultra-intense indoor training. As the summer season ended many cyclists would transition to long, slow, outdoor riding while braving the elements. Others who either couldn’t, or wouldn’t, brave the elements might ride indoors but the experience was even less fun. Dreary intervals staring at a timer took an incredible will no matter the actual intensity. As Zwift has firmly established itself within the modern cycling ecosystem, the brand has completely changed the conversation.
Today, there is a whole new way to spend your time. Instead of facing icy weather or brutal intervals, you’ve got another choice. Using Zwift, you can get faster while having a blast and you can do it anytime of the year on your own schedule. This isn’t brand new but Zwift continues to introduce new features making it easier. This season includes opportunities to follow workouts, scaled to your fitness, inspired by the professional riders you look up to. You can do it whenever you’ve got time or you can join others to tackle the challenges in a community. Then, as before, you can incorporate racing into your training for high intensity sessions that are genuinely fun. This year, Zwift is making that even easier. If that all sounds a lot better than the old options, keep reading to see what’s new.
Start with an FTP test
The key to modern cycling training is measuring performance with watts. It’s also the key to riding on Zwift. That means before you get started, you’ll need an up-to-date FTP (functional threshold power) test. Don’t worry though, whatever horror stories you may have heard about FTP tests, Zwift has made that pain a distant memory.
At one time it was a badge of honour to ride as hard as possible for the 20 minutes required to finish an FTP test. Those tests are still available in the Zwift workout library if you like them. There are two options and they are also an excellent workout in their own right. They aren’t required anymore though. Instead, Zwift has two versions of a ramp test that is just as accurate but much, much, easier.
A ramp test ends when you can no longer turn the pedals. Depending on your choice of the “ramp test” or, the “ramp test lite” for newer riders and riders under 60kg, you’ll notice that the workout screen lists times of 39…
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