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Zwift’s new Group Workouts feature allows riders of all abilities to complete training sessions together

New functionality allows Zwift riders to join prescribed training sessions, whatever their ability

Zwift, the online fitness platform for cyclists, has launched ‘Group Workouts’, a new tool that allows riders of all abilities to complete structured training programmes together.

In the same way that group spinning classes are held in one location, with riders riding to their own training zones or fitness level, Group Workouts will translate this style of training into the virtual world, with riders able to join and complete workouts from their home.

In practice, Group Workouts will allow riders to train to the same effort level (a percentage based on their individual Functional Threshold Power), so regardless of whether the actual power output is 400 watts or 150 watts, the group is kept together on the virtual roads of Watopia, London, and Richmond.

Zwift’s Group Workouts is designed to allow riders to complete train sessions together, regardless of their fitness level

“Group Workouts really opens up Zwift to the masses,” says Zwift’s CEO and co-founder Eric Min. “Now all ages and ability levels can train together for the first time, whether you’re a World Tour Pro or a recreational cyclist.”

“This is about delivering quality and convenient social training experiences to people at home. We’re taking the motivation of the spinning experience and fusing it with structured training content created by world class coaches.”

Zwift, which this week announced a Mayan expansion to Watopia Island, is renowned for its library of training content, with new workouts regularly added to allow cyclists to get the most out of their time on the bike and achieve their goals. New content is set to be added every month, according to Zwift, with Group Workouts allowing anyone to train to them together. There are scheduled to be at least 15 workouts per day that users can join.

Former WorldTour rider Greg Henderson, now the endurance performance director at USA Cycling, says: “Structured interval training is the best way to improve fitness as a rider, and is key to success as a competitive athlete or someone just looking to get fit.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s fantastic way to complete difficult structured sessions in a quality controlled environment. Being able to complete these sessions with a group makes it that much easier to knock out crucial intervals.”

The new Group Workouts tool is available to use for all Zwift riders and can be found in the ‘Events’ section of the website or app.

Website: Zwift