What is Zwift? Everything you need to know about the online training and racing platform

Find out how to get started in the virtual cycling world of Zwift with our complete guide

Zwift Academy 2023
(Image credit: Zwift)

One of the best ways of keeping fit and motivated throughout the year is to use an indoor training and racing platform. There are plenty of options out there, but Zwift dominates the category and is fast becoming a byword for it. Just as 'Garmin' is often used to mean a generic cycle computer, you'll frequently hear indoor riding referred to as 'Zwifting'.

Zwift has expanded since it launched in 2014 to offer 12 virtual worlds and a vast number of workouts and structured training plans – which is great news for Zwift's thousands of subscribers, but on the flip side it can make it potentially difficult to know where to start if you're not yet Zwifting.

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Simon Smythe

Simon Smythe is a hugely experienced cycling tech writer, who has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2003. Until recently he was our senior tech writer. In his cycling career Simon has mostly focused on time trialling with a national medal, a few open wins and his club's 30-mile record in his palmares. These days he spends most of his time testing road bikes, or on a tandem doing the school run with his younger son.