Today Zwift announced Zwift Labs: “the Zwift club to test new features & event modes, discuss feedback & ideas with other members of the club, and have loads of fun!”
Event Types
The experimental Zwift Labs events are a place for Zwift’s game designers to test new concepts. Several different types of events are currently cooking in the lab. Here’s how Zwift describes them…
Segment Smasher
These are short, lap-based events where users will be challenged to “smash the segments.” You will be guided through the first few laps as you get a feel for when to conserve energy and when to throw down some big watts.
Think of it as a competition against yourself and others. Compete with others to lock in the fastest cumulative time across all segments, or compete against yourself to achieve negative splits, set a new PR, or get in an epic workout.
Group FTP Test
Looking for ways to improve your fitness? Check out these group workouts that leverage FTP Tests. FTP, or Functional Threshold Power, is the maximum power a cyclist can generate for one hour, and understanding your FTP can allow you to gauge your fitness level, set proper training zones, and moderate your efforts in hard events. Completing a proper FTP test is one of the best ways of determining your FTP.
FTP tests are challenging and can be intimidating for some cyclists. Does completing an FTP as a group make for a more enjoyable experience? Come together in these events for some collective suffering and find out!
RoboPacer Climbing Events
You’ve seen the RoboPacers on Alpe du Zwift—now they’re ready to test their legs on some new slopes.
These events will feature a wide range of RoboPacers designed to pace you to the top of your favorite climbs. Get on their wheel, settle in, and set some PRs!
Beat the Bots
The RoboPacers are at it again and this time they’re challenging you to a duel of human vs machine.
In this event, you’ll work with other Zwifters to cross the finish line before being caught by a speeding horde of bots. With a brief head start on the bots, you’ll need to put in your best effort to hold them off until the finish.
Mountain Mullets
It’s business on the way up and a party on the way down. In these events, you’ll tackle challenging climbs, pushing yourself to reach the summit. Your reward for reaching the top? Big gains and Big Wheels.
Hop on your trusty Big Wheel and relive your childhood summers as you rip down the descent and roll on through the finish arch.
Audio Workouts
What’s that lovely sound? It’s a group ride or workout utilizing AI-generated audio files! If you love a good workout but worry about missing the text prompts on screen, this could be the event for you.
Turn up the volume and get to work while being guided through your workout with audio prompts!
Dynamic Workouts
This is where the rubber meets the road. In these events you’ll be guided through an epic workout using the terrain to your advantage. Flats, rollers, climbs, and descents—they’re all part of your arsenal in these workouts that take you through your favorite routes. Time to embrace the quality of the road and get stronger!
Fondos
Is it a ride or is it a race? Fondos and sportifs are traditionally comprised of an eclectic mix of riders, some with their eyes on the podium, some competing for age group awards, and many seeking an epic personal challenge with a goal of completing the event.
These events will embrace the diverse group of cyclists that participate in Zwift Fondos. Whether you’re here seeking the podium or personal accomplishment, this event is for you.
Upcoming Events
The first set of events is now on the calendar:
- Mountain Mullets (May 23-25)
- Grab a Big Wheel atop the Volcano, then have blast descending and riding to the finish.
- Route: Volcano Climb, 1 lap (23.3km, 203m)
- Beat the Bots (May 26-28)
- Join the A pens and start 14 minutes before the bots. Work together to stay away from the bots until the finish!
- Route: Big Flat 8, 1 lap (31.5km, 108m)
- Group FTP Test (May 29-31)
- FTP tests are never fun… but are they better in a group? Join and find out!
- Route: Castle to Castle, 25 minutes
- Big Foot Hills Fondo (June 1-2)
- Looking for a long, “fun race”? Try a fondo! All categories start together in this format.
- Route: Big Foot Hills, 1 lap (69.7km, 713m)
See upcoming Zwift Labs events at zwift.com/events/series/zwift-labs
Goodbye, FutureWorks: Hello Zwift Labs Club
Zwift rolled out their “FutureWorks” label at Eurobike 2019, where they debuted steering via the Companion app. Since then, PacePartners (RoboPacers), Clubs, HoloReplay, and HUDless mode also launched under that label, eventually graduating out of FutureWorks and into the full game. (Some features, such as “Boost Mode“, never left FutureWorks.)
Is Zwift Labs the new FutureWorks? Zwift tells me yes. They’re hoping to get enough people signed up for the Zwift Labs club that it can be used as a cohort for test events and other in-game features, as well as the place where feedback is delivered via club chat.
For more info on Zwift Labs, visit the Zwift Labs website and join the Zwift Labs Club.
Your Thoughts
But what do you think of the Zwift Labs concept overall? Do any of the proposed events seem especially appealing (or perhaps especially unappealing) to you? Share below!
