Zwift Plus: a personal coach and real video routes. What is it and is it worth it?

I always get really happy when indoor season starts. Zwift feels a bit like playing The Sims while I train — I can't explain it, but I'm a genuine fan! Just in time, Zwift launched something new on 29 October 2026: Zwift Plus. A subscription with a personal coach that thinks along with you, and real video routes over climbs like the Galibier and Sa Calobra. I looked into what it is, what it costs and for whom it is worth it. Shall we read on?

Zwift Plus at a glance

• What: a new, more extensive Zwift subscription with Zwift Coach and Zwift Video.
• Zwift Coach: a personal training plan that adapts to your time, energy, agenda and goal.
• Zwift Video: 21 filmed routes in six countries, 385 kilometres in total.
• Price: €29.99 per month, with a 14-day free trial for new Zwifters.
• Launched: 29 October 2026.

What is Zwift?

Never heard of Zwift? No problem, then let me explain it to you. Zwift is an online training platform that lets you cycle indoors, but inside a virtual world. You put your own road bike on a smart trainer, or get on a smart bike like the Zwift Ride, and connect it to Zwift on your tv, laptop, tablet or phone. Pedal harder and your avatar in the game goes faster too. Does the road climb, then you really feel that in your legs.

The nice thing is that you never ride alone. Thousands of people from all over the world are riding along with you at any moment. You can quietly do a lap around Watopia (Zwift's main world), do a workout, join a group ride or even race. I really see it as a game, and that is exactly what makes it much easier for me to get on the bike in winter. Want to know exactly how it works and what you need? Then also read How does Zwift work? (in Dutch)

What is Zwift Plus?

Zwift Plus is a more extensive subscription than the regular Zwift subscription. It revolves around two new parts: Zwift Coach, for a personal training plan, and Zwift Video, with routes filmed with real camera footage. Everything you already knew from Zwift simply stays.

Zwift Coach: a coach that thinks along with you

Does this sound familiar? You start a training plan full of good intentions, and then daily life gets in the way. Your work, maybe a family, plans that run late… and sometimes you just do not feel like it. Completely normal, and I have that myself too! A fixed plan is simply hard to keep up with.

With Zwift Plus the coach thinks along with you. Your plan is adjusted to your time, energy, agenda and goal. You answer a few questions in the Zwift Companion app, choose a goal and Zwift Coach builds a plan that suits you. According to Zwift the training model is based on scientific research and uses anonymised power and heart-rate data from millions of Zwift riders. Based on your recent form, Coach determines what you do next time, and how hard.

Not only workouts

What I really like: your plan does not consist of strict workouts only. According to Zwift, 63% of Zwifters do a mix of activities, and only 13% rides structured training sessions. That is why Zwift Coach also puts regular routes, RoboPacers (virtual pacers you can hook onto) and even events in your plan. Or as Zwift itself says: the best training is the training you actually do. I could not agree more!

Life comes first

Do you go cycling outside with friends in the weekend, or did you just ride a little too hard in a group ride? Then Zwift Coach suggests adjusting your plan, so you still stay on course. Before every ride you see in the app and in Zwift what you are going to do and why. Afterwards you immediately get feedback in the new ‘Coach Analysis’ tab.

That fits nicely with how we ride in the club: easy endurance rides are the basis. And honestly, those are exactly the sessions that get skipped when you train alone.

Zwift Video: cycling over real roads

With Zwift Video you ride over filmed roads instead of through the drawn worlds. At launch there are 21 routes in six countries, 385 kilometres in total. Think of the Col du Galibier and Sa Calobra, but also of places you may never have heard of, like the Lofoten in Norway. How cool is it to already explore that bend of Sa Calobra in December?

The familiar Zwift things simply stay: PowerUps, segments with leaderboards, HoloReplays, Drops and XP. Riding in a group feels the same as in the regular Zwift worlds. All routes are loops, so you can ride any workout on any route. And here too you never ride alone: everyone riding the same route, you see on the road.

All video routes at launch

• French Alps: Col du Galibier (Lautaret), Cime de la Bonette, Upper Bonette
• Mallorca: Sa Calobra, Coll de Femenia
• Tenerife: Teide Plateau
• Western Cape (South Africa): Chapmans Peak, Clarence Drive, Bain’s Kloof Pass, Du Toitskloof Pass
• Lofoten (Norway): The Midnight Sun Road, Eggum Coastal, Nappvang Glow
• Southern Utah (USA): The Hogsback, Arches National Park, Glen Canyon, Colorado River Sunrise
• Colorado (USA): Dolores Dirt
• Scottish Highlands: Glen Etive, Quinag Highlands, Glen Garry Wilds

From the new year, new routes will be added regularly. If you ride ten routes from the Globetrotter Challenge before 1 February, you get the Globetrotter kit and extra XP. Organised events and MeetUps on the video routes will follow in the coming months.

Zwifting together with the Cyclingwomen Club

Did you know that we also have club rides in Zwift at Cyclingwomen? That way you ride together with the club during the dark months too, just from your own living room, attic or pain cave.

The nice thing about zwifting together: you see each other on the road, you chat along the way and nobody rides alone at the back. Just like we do outside. Are you a member of the club? Then you will hear via the club when we ride Zwift together.

What does Zwift Plus cost?

Zwift Plus costs €29.99 per month. New Zwifters can try it free for 14 days, with all Plus features. Do you already have a Zwift subscription? Then you can temporarily upgrade to Zwift Plus for free for one month. That way you can quietly discover whether it is something for you.

Check out Zwift and Zwift Plus

For whom is Zwift Plus worth it?

• You want to work towards a goal, like a cycling tour or a bike trip, but you do not quite know how to build your training.
• You have a busy life and want a plan that moves along instead of a plan you feel guilty about.
• You find workouts boring and are looking for more variety.
• You dream of the Alps or Mallorca and want to explore those climbs already in winter.

Do you mainly ride on Zwift for the social side and do you not need a plan? Then the regular subscription is probably enough. Also perfectly fine!

My indoor setup: the Zwift Ride

To ride Zwift you need a smart trainer or smart bike. I ride the Zwift Ride with KICKR CORE myself. A complete indoor bike that is always ready, so I no longer have to carry my road bike upstairs. It is also easy to set up, ideal if you share it with your partner. Curious about my experiences? Then read my Zwift Ride review (in Dutch). Want to get even more out of your rides? Then also read 5 tips to make your Zwift session more fun (in Dutch).

Check out the Zwift Ride with KICKR CORE

Frequently asked questions about Zwift Plus

What does Zwift Plus cost?

Zwift Plus costs €29.99 per month. New Zwifters can try it free for 14 days. Do you already have a Zwift subscription? Then you can temporarily upgrade for one month free.

What is the difference between Zwift and Zwift Plus?

With the regular Zwift subscription you ride through the virtual worlds, do workouts and ride group rides. Zwift Plus adds Zwift Coach, a personal plan that moves along with your agenda, and Zwift Video, with 21 filmed routes over real roads.

Which routes are in Zwift Video?

At launch there are 21 routes in six countries, 385 kilometres in total. Among others the Col du Galibier, Cime de la Bonette, Sa Calobra, the Teide on Tenerife, the Lofoten in Norway and the Scottish Highlands.

What do I need to ride Zwift?

You need a Zwift subscription, a smart trainer or smart bike, and a screen such as a tv, laptop, tablet or phone. A fan, a towel and a full bottle are also a real recommendation!

“The best training is the training you actually do.”

Prefer to ride outside together? At the Cyclingwomen Club you can always ride along for free twice. Check out the club.

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