Zwift has added a number of updates to the virtual cycling program. Besides the range of level structure updates and the ability to choose different versions of climbs via the Climb Portal, there are a few additional hardware compatibility updates including the ability to now use your Apple Watch as a heart rate monitor on Zwift.
We’ve got a range of updates to level structures, ride streaks, the Climb Portal, and more below.
Updates to the Climb Portal
Zwifters can now choose from different versions of climbs in the Climb Portal. This includes a GPS-accurate 100 percent version, or easier 50 percent and 75 percent versions. Riders who have completed the 100 percent version will unlock a 125 percent version of the climb, perfect for folks who love making things hard on themselves.
Zwift says each version of the climb will have its own leaderboard to show what percentile of climbers they’re in. Ghost replays can be overlayed as well to motivate riders against other times.
Zwift will continue to offer a Climb of the Month in the France Climb Portal, the schedule of which can be found here.
You can use your Apple Watch as a heart rate monitor
The Apple Watch is known to be one of the few smartwatches that won’t relay its heart rate information to other devices, but Zwift’s compatibility changes that. Pair your watch with the Zwift Companion app and track your heart rate on-screen as you ride on your trainer.
Hold on to the receipt for your heart rate monitor, however; the ability to use your Apple Watch as a heart rate monitor on Zwift is slated to arrive this Winter.
New avatar choices aim to better reflect how you want to look
Zwift’s current avatar system is a bit limiting, with only a few different ways to customize your look. New updates will be able to pair you with a range of avatars that correlate to your gender, but every avatar’s face receives a new look.
This update is also slated to arrive this Winter.
Routes and workouts can be queued up in the Companion app
The Zwift Companion app has been updated to allow riders to queue up workouts and routes and have them show up on your home screen. Previously the closest thing you could do to this was to start a training plan and have it go to your calendar. Otherwise, you’d go to the Companion app and add an event to your calendar.
This seems like a small thing, but the ability to queue up rides and routes on the Zwift Companion app brings Zwift closer to other programs where you can build your own workout schedule.
Zwift says this update will arrive in January.
Zwift Games to receive new events, workouts, and races
Zwift is adding a whole range of events with the Zwift Games, where elite racers can qualify for championship events and everyone can enjoy challenging racing.
According to Zwift, there are three Elite Championship Races – Sprint, Epic, and Climb – and an overall championship classification. All events for both men’s and women’s events will be broadcast live, with what Zwift says is their biggest prize purse yet. Qualification information will be shared on December 15th, with races starting in February.
Folks not looking for traditional racing can join the Zwift Fondo Series, lovingly called zFondo. This seventh series of events includes three different fondo events. The first Feast Fondo has already been completed, leaving fondo number two – The Holiday Fondos – to run from December 29th to December 31st. The third and final fondo – The New Year’s Fondos – will run from January 26th to January 28th.
Oh, you want to get in on the Rapha Festive 500? Zwift and Rapha have teamed up to host the Rapha Festive 500, a challenge to complete 500 km (310 miles) between Christmas Day (December 25th) and New Year’s Day (January 1st). Riders who complete the challenge will receive a Festive 500 jersey for their avatar, a bit of kit we’re sure will bring in the big bucks on Grailed.
Starting in January, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Kristin Armstrong will lead select sessions of the eight-week Fitness Jumpstart with Coach Kristin program. Program workouts are available to use on-demand as well, and all are designed around helping riders learn about a specific aspect of training.
See the full array of updates at zwift.com.