ASK A COACH - 'Racing on Zwift instead of interval sessions - how fit can I get?'

Zwift racing: some love it, some hate it. While it may not exactly replicate the feeling out on the road when you’re holding on to that wheel for dear life or trying desperately to close the gap, there’s no doubt that in virtual racing you’re still inclined to dig deeper than you do when you’re doing a workout in ERG mode.

- ALEX WELBURN

Zwift racing has various levels of competition, from a short and snappy time trial to a talent pathway to professional cycling. One thing we can all agree on is that Zwift racing is hard – but, the question is, if you just race on Zwift, instead of following workouts, just how fit will you get? Before we dive into some of the differences between Zwift racing and structured workouts, let’s revisit some of the reasons why some of us may prefer to race rather than train indoors.

What are the benefits of Zwift racing?

Without a doubt, one of the best things about Zwift racing is that it keeps us motivated. The UK winter can feel long, and we can end up spending a large proportion of our training time indoors. While some people enjoy the process of a structured workout, for others it can seem monotonous. We train to get fitter, to get stronger, to beat our fellow riders to the top of that climb. So racing can be a great place to find out how strong we are. What’s more, there’s a huge variety of races to choose from – everything from flat time trials to hilly road races – meaning we can race to our preferences and strengths. Additionally, racing against friends or even with them as a team is something we don’t get with a typical indoor workout.