21 real video routes and a coach that adapts to you: this is Zwift Plus

If your evening rides now end with lights on and cold hands, the turbo trainer makes more sense than ever. Right now Zwift Plus arrives, the platform's biggest update to date, with a smart coach that personalises your sessions and 21 real routes recorded on video, according to Brújula Bike.

In total, the new video routes add up to 385 km of real roads. In other words, as well as the virtual worlds you already know, you can now pedal watching real tarmac from your living room or storeroom.

What Zwift Plus brings to your training

The new features come in two big blocks, and both point the same way: making winter at home less monotonous and more useful.

• Personalised coach: a smart system that adapts training to you, instead of making you follow a generic plan.
• 21 real video routes: roads recorded so you can ride with real scenery, not just graphics.
• 385 km of roads: the total of those routes, enough to vary a lot from one session to the next.

The source also mentions price and availability, so before you decide it's worth checking them in the original article or directly with Zwift, as they may vary depending on your current subscription.

Why a coach that adapts matters to you

The big problem with the turbo trainer isn't usually the effort, but the lack of direction: you get on, pedal for an hour and don't know if you're improving. A coach that personalises sessions helps give meaning to every day you can't get outside.

If you're preparing for a spring sportive or want to arrive at the season with good legs, having a plan that fits your level makes the difference between keeping your fitness and losing it during the dark months.

And video routes are a good antidote to boredom: watching a real road is more engaging than staring at the wall, especially on long sessions.

What to check before setting up your trainer with Zwift Plus

Before you dive in, go over your kit to get the most out of the platform:

• Your trainer: check it's compatible with training apps. If you don't have a smart one yet, the second-hand cycling accessories section has trainers at good prices.
• The bike: many people use a bike dedicated to the trainer so they don't punish their good one. One of the second-hand road bikes on the site could be your winter companion without overspending.
• Ventilation and sweat: a fan and a towel protect the bike and make sessions much more bearable.
• Sensors: heart rate monitor and, if you have one, a power meter, so the coach works with reliable data.

If your old trainer falls short and you switch to a new one, don't leave it gathering dust: you can post your listing for free so someone else can start training at home with it.

Trainer and road, better together

Zwift Plus isn't here to replace your rides, but to fill the gaps: rainy evenings, weeks with little time or days of impossible wind. Combining sessions at home with weekend routes is a very practical way to arrive strong in spring.

Set up your training corner, make the most of the short evenings and, when the sun comes out on Saturday, go riding with your group: your legs will thank you.