Disclaimer: I received an Zwift RunPod to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!
You may recall that last year I had the opportunity to try out the new Zwift RunPod for my dreadmill running. (that blog post can be found HERE) Zwift had expanded from the cycling world into running! It was a great way to add a new component to treadmill running.
This year I was invited back to test up the updated platform! They were adding new features to make your treadmill running even better! Ok, I was game!
When I received my shipment, I was surprised to find not one, but 2 RunPods! One for me and one to gift to a friend! I offered up a giveaway on my Facebook page to see who might be interested. 2 days later, I dropped off one of the run pods for my friend Sara!
I was excited to see what the “new and improved” Zwift platform had to offer! Just like with the original platform, the coaches craft workouts to make you the runner you want to become. Programs are tailored to your fitness level and easy to follow, taking the guesswork out of training and making it fun. Whether you’re prepping for a 5K, half marathon, or triathlon event, your training needs are covered.
Get together online with other Zwiftrers and run virtual roads inspired by central London, the jungle, rolling hills of the country side or even a volcano! You may be running on your own treadmill but you are running with others from all over the world!
Whether you are looking for a quiet run through Central Park or a run through the desert, Zwift will get your sweat on! Attach the RunPod to you show, fire up the app and get your treadmill ready! No, the RunPod and Zwift app will not control your treadmill and automatically make the adjustments, but you will see clean and simple prompts on your screen to tell you when to adjust and how much!
The Companion App was no longer required to log in to do a workout! Before I had to log into a separate app in order to Zwift… and then, I had to use my computer to access the run platform. I could do everything right through the Zwift app on my phone! It was awesome to be able to take the extra piece of equipment out of the equation! Now, it truly was grab my RunPod & Phone and I was ready to go!
Last year when I tested Zwift, we had some group runs, but it was just a stead treadmill run. Now, Zwift as added the component of intervals! Instead of just a steady treadmill run, these are interval runs (short intervals were you run faster, followed by slower recovery sections). There are even progressions runs (starting off slow and ending fast). These interval runs quickly became some of my favorite treadmill workouts!
If intervals were not enough, now you had the option for HILLS too!! Along with prompts on pace, you could opt for workouts that gave you incline options too! So remember that volcano I mentioned earlier? Now you could actually get the feeling of running UP it, not just the view in the app of running near it!
While I didn’t get to any of the Incline workouts, I loved the interval ones!! Added with many of the Turn it Up Tuesday workouts, there was also the addition of pacers that your could run WITH during your virtual run! How cool is that?!?!
After coming down with an annoying foot injury, I may not have been able to get to as many of the group runs with my fellow BibRave Pro’s in the last few months, I am excited to have the Zwift RunPod to get me through the harsh winter that we are forecast to get here in WI! I will be the first to admit that I would rather run outside, but sometimes Mother Nature really makes that difficult. You can be sure that Zwift Run will be a regular part of my training this winter… once I can start running again!
Free To Run!! At this time, Zwift is FREE for runners, so the RunPod (or some alternative footpod) will be your only cost — provided you have access to a treadmill already. If you have a bluetooth enabled treadmill, you may not need a footpod at all. Aside from that you need to download the ZwiftRun and the Companion app (both available in your App store). As I mentioned before, I no longer needed to companion app to connect with the platform to run, this is where you will find the group runs that you can sign up to join!
What are you waiting for??
Do you Zwift? Come find me on the Zwift platform and left run together!