However, to help you make the most of the online virtual training and racing platform, we\u2019ve compiled a list of our top 12 tips. <\/span><\/p>\n Otherwise, check out our buyer\u2019s guide to the best Zwift setups<\/a> and advice on how to choose the right training plan<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Visit the Zwift website<\/a> to sign up for a free 7-day trial. After your trial period ends, Zwift costs \u00a312.99 \/ $14.99 per month.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> A smart trainer<\/a> will make your Zwift experience much more immersive. While the top-of-the-range models can be pricey, there are plenty of good options at the cheaper end of the scale.<\/p>\n The Tacx Flow Smart<\/a>, for example, which we gave four out of five stars, has an RRP of \u00a3269.99 but can typically be found online for even less.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a little louder than a direct drive trainer, but otherwise it has everything you need to get started on Zwift, including power measurement, the ability to simulate gradients and ERG mode<\/a> for automatic resistance control during workouts.<\/p>\n If your budget can stretch further, there are also top-performing budget direct-drive trainers, such as the Elite Zumo<\/a>, available for less than \u00a3500.<\/p>\n Zwift also offers financing options on smart trainers through its own store, and if you purchase one there you\u2019ll get 30 days of free Zwift membership to test it out at home. If you\u2019re not satisfied at the end of the trial period, you can return the trainer free of charge. Without any wind to cool you down, you\u2019ll quickly overheat when riding indoors, so a good fan is invaluable.<\/span><\/p>\n If you live somewhere consistently warm, then a big fan is a good idea, but most people will be fine with something relatively small but powerful.<\/span> Available on the<\/span> iOS App Store<\/span><\/a> and\u00a0<\/span>Google Play<\/span><\/a>, the Zwift Companion app has been designed to put everything you need to operate the game right at your fingertips.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s the place to control your avatar, view the activity feed, create goals, follow your training plan, sign up for events and create Meetups<\/a>, chat to other Zwifters and loads more, so don\u2019t forget to use it.<\/span> Whatever you\u2019re doing on Zwift, whether it be free riding, working out or joining a group ride or event, make sure you\u2019re prepared for the full duration of your ride before you start.<\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019ll need full water bottles and, if you\u2019re planning a long ride, maybe even some snacks. On top of that, make sure all of your devices are fully charged or plugged in because you really don\u2019t want to run out of battery mid-ride.<\/span> A simple headband or classic<\/span> cotton cycling cap<\/span><\/a> is ideal for absorbing sweat off your brow and stopping it from dripping into your eyes or, more importantly, onto your precious bike.<\/span><\/p>\n Furthermore, a towel draped over your front wheel will be easily accessible to wipe excess sweat from your hands and body in between efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n A trainer mat will also help protect your floor from sweat (and oil from your bike), plus it can help to keep the noise down by reducing vibrations transmitted through to the floor.<\/span> It\u2019s generally acknowledged that you\u2019ll want some suitably up-tempo music to help motivate you on your ride. Let\u2019s be honest though, not everyone else in your house\/flat will want to experience the full glory of your Ti\u00ebsto-fuelled sweat-sesh, so a set of headphones is advisable.<\/span><\/p>\n Standard headphones will do if that\u2019s all you\u2019ve got, but wireless Bluetooth ones are better for the simple reason that there\u2019s no wire to get in your way or get caught on your bike.<\/span> When you\u2019re riding on Zwift, you\u2019re never riding alone, so be nice and take the time to socialise with those around you, just like you would in real life.<\/span><\/p>\n If you see someone giving it their all in a workout, or going for a sprint\/KOM, give them a Ride On (a thumbs up) and help them on their way. After all, what goes around comes around, and when you get a couple of Ride Ons in the middle of a hard effort, you\u2019ll appreciate it.<\/span><\/p>\n You can also send both public and private messages to other Zwifters through the Zwift app or the Zwift Companion app if you\u2019ve got something more specific to share.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Plus, if you\u2019ve got a compatible phone, you can tap the microphone icon in the messaging part of that Zwift Companion app and dictate a message \u2013 the app will convert your message to text automatically.<\/span> Zwift is primarily based on the power you produce, but if you want to get the most from your training on the platform don\u2019t forget about<\/span> heart rate<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Zwift gives you a whole range of info at the end of a workout, and tracking your heart rate response to various intervals is a great way of benchmarking improvements in your fitness. If your heart rate has gone down for a given wattage\/time, for example, then that\u2019s a good sign your fitness has improved.<\/span><\/p>\n Just like riding outside, you\u2019ll probably make much larger improvements if your training is structured.<\/span><\/p>\n Zwift has a whole suite of workouts and<\/span> flexible training plans<\/span><\/a> to suit all types of riders, so whether you\u2019re just getting into training and looking for something basic, or you\u2019re a seasoned rider wanting to push into new territories of fitness, you\u2019re sure to find something that suits.<\/span><\/p>\n More <\/span>off-road specific training plans<\/span><\/a> have been announced recently too, so there really is something for almost everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n You can also sign up for group workouts via the events page. The group is tethered together for the duration of the workout, so you won\u2019t get dropped as long as you hit your numbers. These are great for adding a little extra motivation.<\/span> There\u2019s so much more to Zwift than free-riding and training. It\u2019s also a massively social platform, with events happening every day that enable you to ride, work out and race with others.<\/span><\/p>\nHow to sign-up to Zwift<\/h2>\n
Smart trainers aren\u2019t as expensive as you think<\/h3>\n<\/div>
Use a fan<\/h3>\n<\/div>
Download the Zwift Companion app<\/h3>\n<\/div>
![\""Zwift\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/12\/zwift-companion-01-c47a298.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C349"\" "\\"\"Zwift\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Prepare yourself before you get on the trainer<\/h3>\n<\/div>
Don\u2019t sweat it<\/h3>\n<\/div>
Get some (Bluetooth) headphones<\/h3>\n<\/div>
Be friendly<\/h3>\n<\/div>
Don\u2019t forget about heart rate<\/h3>\n<\/div>
![\""Zwift\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/12\/zwift_futureworks_11-6c7e2e9-scaled.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C349"\" "\\"\"Zwift\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Sign up for a training plan<\/h3>\n<\/div>
Enter events<\/h3>\n<\/div>
![\""Zwift\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/12\/2021-11-03_0851311-3e7f285.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C349"\" "\\"\"Zwift\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>