Disclaimer: I received a Zwift RunPod to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave to review find and write race reviews!”
Happy Friday! This is my first official product review post as a BibRave Pro – hooray! Today I’m excited to share with you my experience using the Zwift app and run pod for virtual runs. Let’s get started!
Zwift allows you to ride and run in the real world and power your avatar across virtual worlds. Once you have the run pod, you clip that to your sneaker (mine worked better on my left sneaker), power up your treadmill, pick where you want to run virtually on the Zwift app and then enjoy your running experience! View the video below to watch Zwift in action.
Make Treadmill Running FUN!
I don’t hate the treadmill for running, but let’s face it, it’s not exactly a fun time. I normally need to have music or Netflix to make it manageable. With the Zwift app, every treadmill run can be a different adventure. Want to run in Central Park? You got it. Thinking about running in London? You can do that too. I did a virtual run in London and it was pretty amazing. I don’t know if I’ll ever make it through the London Marathon lottery so this was a nice alternative 🙂
Virtual run in London
It’s Affordable
The app is free so you can pick from a bunch of different locations at no extra cost to you! The runpod is $29.99, but I have a discount code for you to save 15% off of your purchase (keep reading to learn more). The ability to run in numerous locations for under $30 bucks?! Yes please!
Run With Friends
The app makes it easy to run with friends all around the world. You can select various types of events ranging from fun group runs (like the Monday Run Club) to actual races (with real prizes). By connecting to apps like Strava or Garmin Connect, you’re able to run with your friends in real time. Or why not make new friends? You can sign up for the group runs, like Monday Run Club, and “meet” new people from around the world. Since I’ll be virtually training with 2 friends (Michelle and Renee) for the Chicago Marathon, I think this might be a great way for us to connect on a few training runs!
Training/Structured Workouts
It’s not all fun and games! Zwift can actually help you train for a race. Zwift has elite coaches that can craft workouts to make you stronger, fitter and faster. Not only can programs can be tailored to your fitness level, but they are easy to follow. The programs will tell you how far to run and at what pace, etc. Whether you’re training for a 5k or a marathon, Zwift has your training needs covered. I think this would be a great option for new runners or runners who do not have a coach, but still have goals they want to achieve.
An example of speedwork training
More Than Just Running
Zwift also offer cycling. This is a great option for anyone training for a triathlon, especially during the Winter months. You can hop on your bike trainer and ride virtually through tons of cities and countries.
Would you like to try the Zwift RunPod? You’re in luck because I have a discount code! Use BIBRAVE15 to save 15% off the cost of the Zwift RunPod (Retial Price – $29.99).
Connect with Zwift on Facebook, Twitter and Instagam and view additional videos on their YouTube account.
I’m linking up for Friday Five 2.0 with Lacey and Meranda from Fairytales and Fitness.
Have you ever tried the Zwift app? How do you make treadmill running more fun?
I’ve seen a lot of people using this and it looks like so much fun! We’re on tap for a big snowstorm and this would sure make treadmill running more bearable. Thanks for such a great review.
We’re expecting a lot of snow and ice this weekend too (Sunday-Monday) so I think I’ll do a virtually run someplace tropical, lol
Hmmm. I’ve got a business trip coming up with a week of hotel gym workouts on tap ….
Sounds like a good time to test out something new 🙂
It definitely looks interesting — I actually hadn’t heard of it. I don’t hate the treadmill either, and in some ways I think occasionally it’s good for my body, but I don’t love it either!
I totally agree. I’m in that in-between space when it comes to treadmill running. I know some people that absolutely hate it and never use it, and some runners that only run on the treadmill.
I do hate treadmill running and avoid it whenever possible. This app looks great. I will give it a try for the times I must run on the mill. Thanks!
Hope you like it when you try it out!
I could see how Zwift could make treadmill running way more fun!Lots of my friends use the cycling program and rave about it
My ART doctor was telling me about the cycling program yesterday and how it’s super popular. I had no idea so many people used it!
Those are some pretty convincing reasons!
Thanks! I hope you’ll try out the app.
I assume you view the “routes” via your phone or an ipad, right? Hmmm…maybe this would get me on a more friendlier basis with ‘Milly 😉 The ‘mill is just not ideal for me, though, because it messes up my stride/form (#longlegs), but I may have to hang with her this weekend….
Yup! I viewed the routes on my phone but viewing them on an ipad was much better. I feel like if you absolutely have to use Milly, this would really help!
This looks pretty cool! Thanks for explaining what it does. I’ve seen a few things but not read the details or tried it!
No problem! Glad you enjoyed the review.
This sounds amazing, thanks for the review!! And YAY, I’m a new BibRave Pro as well! 🙂
Yay! I am a new BRP this year and love connecting with other Pros!
I do hate the treadmill and don’t even own one. The only time I am tempted is when I’m in a hotel and there’s no place safe to run.
This does seem neat and definitely would make the tm more bearable.
Yeah I think this would be great for when you have to run on a treadmill at a hotel gym.
Sounds like a fun app! I’ve been in fancy hotel gyms that have something similar built in on their treadmills but this app is nice since you can take it with you 🙂
Yup, I love that it’s so portable!
Thanks for the review. I have been hearing about this all over social media but did not fully understand what it was or how it worked. I may have to take advantage of your discount code.
You’re welcome and glad you enjoyed the review!
I use Aaptiv to help make treadmill runs more interesting. If I have something to listen to and make sure to switch up the incline or speed I get through treadmill runs much easier.
I think I will try out Aaptiv soon – I keep hearing great things about it.
I have the pod but from before Zwift took over. I think it’s a great app from what you’ve shared but I literally never run on the treadmill so it’s kind of lost on me. I actually don’t know where my pod is…oops…
Do you know what it was called before Zwift? Oh I didn’t know that you never run on the treadmill. I thought that you, Michelle and I could do a few shorter virtual runs over the summer while training for Chicago – oh well 🙁
This looks very cool and I love the price point! Like Wendy said, big snow starting here tonight so I’ll be hunkering down on the mill.
I might be right there with you on the treadmill this weekend due to the impending snow and ice this weekend!
I was running on my gym’s treadmill with one of those features for a virtual run and did a run in Iceland. I think it’s cool that you get to your avatar running. Definitely makes a treadmill run more enjoyable.
That’s so cool. Running virtually in Iceland would be a lot of fun.