The basic equipment needed to run & use Zwift includes a bicycle for cycling or treadmill for running, a smart trainer (or dumb trainer with speed/cadence sensors) and an internet connected device such as PC, Mac, IOS device, Apple TV or Android device. There are a range of options for the budget minded to the extravagant to fill these needs. Zwift provides a list of supported trainers on their website.
Smart Bikes/Treadmills[]
A smart bike is a dedicated indoor bike that provides all the necessary sensors (power, speed & cadence) built into the bike. These are direct drive driven so there is no chain or cassette. They also provide several flexible adjustments to fit most any cyclist. The smart bike also connects directly to your internet device via a bluetooth connection or via and ANT+ cable. They may also have other features such as increasing/decreasing the angle of the bike to simulate climbs & descents or types of vibration to simulate a road feel. A smart treadmill uses the same concept as the smart bike but is a treadmill for running.
Smart bikes provide the most realistic feel of outdoor riding while indoors. However, smart bikes are the most expensive option when getting started. If you're an avid cyclist & know that indoor training is something you'll use regularly, then splurge for this option. It will be well worth your investment. If you already have a bike and just want to ride indoors when bad weather occurs, then a smart trainer with your bike will work just fine too.
There are several manufacturers of smart bikes/treadmills with Wahoo & Tacx being two of the current industry leaders. See this Smart Trainer Index by Zwift Insider for more options.
Smart Trainers & Bikes[]
Smart trainers are similar in concept to smart bikes in that they transmit power, cadence & speed to your internet device with the difference being that you provide your own bike. By removing the rear wheel, the chain of your existing bike is placed on the cassette (set of rear gears) of the trainer. Most trainers come with a standard 11 speed cassette. So if you're bike has a 8, 9 or 10 speed cassette, you may have to purchase a compatible cassette and swap it out for the default that comes with the smart trainer. See this Smart Trainer Index by Zwift Insider for more options.
Beyond simply measuring power, smart trainers are also able to simulate course gradients – changing the resistance according to the slope – and can be controlled by Zwift in Workout mode to make sure you’re hitting the prescribed wattages of a training session. Some trainers provide a front wheel riser for stability & height or you can purchase one separately.
All trainers come in 2 styles: wheel-on or direct drive. A direct drive trainer has a cassette mounted on it that are appropriate for your bike and you ride with no rear wheel. These are quieter, don’t wear out tires, and can handle larger power outputs. They’re also more expensive and are harder to switch from one bike to another if you have multiple riders. A wheel on trainer means that you keep your rear wheel on the bike and it spins against a small metal drum attached to a flywheel. This type of trainer has some drawbacks: you’ll wear out your rear tire, it can slip if you’re putting out a ton of watts, it’s noisier, and they typically can’t replicate very steep inclines the way that a direct drive can.
Power Meters & Bikes[]
If you already have your bike and an indoor roller type trainer, you can still connect into Zwift with the use of cadence/speed sensors and/or power meter. The old roller style indoor trainers are considered “dumb trainers” (ie. doesn’t talk to the game directly). You'll need to mount speed and cadence sensors on your bike at the very least. If you have a power meter this can be a workable setup, but it won’t auto adjust to the terrain in-game to make things more or less difficult. This is the least expensive entry point to access Zwift. You will not get some of the benefits of smart trainers (as noted above) and the setup may be noisy & cumbersome but you'll get to experience Zwift before you spend much money. If you're serious about indoor training, the extra money for a smart trainer will be well worth it.
Internet Connected Device[]
Zwift needs some kind of internet connected device. Zwift runs on PC, Mac, IOS devices, Apple TV and Android devices. Each of these needs to be able to connect to the internet. You connect your trainer to your device via bluetooth or an ANT+ cable and dongle. The screen of your device is how you watch Zwift while riding/running. So while phones can work, many people opt to have their display cast to a larger TV screen for a much more immersive experience. See Zwift's minimum requirements for supported devices.
Recommended Gear[]
The above lists the basics needed to start Zwifting: bike, trainer & internet device. However, there are plenty of other items that can and will make your experience smoother, easier and just more fun. Items that are highly recommended are noted as opposed to items that are optional but nice for convenience.
Cooling[]
Recommended - Whether you're in a garage, separate room or outdoor shed, you're going to need some cooling. A fan or two will help keep you from overheating and dry off some of the sweat. On the high end, Wahoo sells a fan (Kickr Headwind) that adjusts speed as you work harder. On the lower end, any good fan blowing a decent amount of air can work. It's nice if the fan speed is adjustable and that it is remote controlled so you can change speeds without getting off the bike.
Sweat head and wrist bands are cheap and help soak up a lot of the sweat. They can be rinsed out daily, set out to dry and ready to use the next day. An absorbent towel is also a must have. Any hand towel can do the job. You just need something nearby to wipe down the sweat from your face, arms & hands.
Lastly, you need water!! So any water bottle(s) can work. The insulated types are best so that you have something cool to drink.
Clothing[]
Recommended - If you're already cycling, then you have some apparel you can wear. Some good cycling shorts/bibs will be your best option. You will want a decent pad in the shorts/bibs to help with comfort for the duration of your ride. A jersey is optional as it will get warm. Many people just opt for bibs without a jersey for their indoor sessions. Cycling apparel manufacturers are making clothing just for indoor cycling now that is lightweight and sweat absorbent.
If you're using your own bike, then you already have shoes that are appropriate for the pedals on your bike. However, smart bikes only come with flat non-clip-in pedals. So if using a smart bike, you will need to either transfer the clip-in pedals from your existing bike or buy an additional set of clip-in pedals. If you're starting from 'scratch', then some clip-in pedals and appropriate shoes for those pedals are recommended for the most efficient cycling power.
Just like outdoor cycling, a set of cycling gloves is recommended. Lightweight is all you need as you're not dealing with weather.
Zwift Play Controllers[]
Optional but Recommended - Zwift Play Controllers were released in June 2023 to provide steering, navigation and game functionality right at your fingertips. These attach to dropdown handlebars, connect via Bluetooth and give the user the ability to have steering, road & game navigation and several other in-game features with the push of a button. Other than steering, all the button features can be used from a keyboard/mouse or the Zwift Companion app. However, that requires moving your hands off the bars to access those features but with the Play Controllers, most everything you could want is programmed into the buttons.
Mat[]
Optional - While not necessary, certainly quite helpful. A mat will help stabilize your trainer setup (recommended especially on carpet) as well as be a catch basin for sweat drops. This makes for easy cleanup as well. Wahoo sells a mat that fits their bike and trainers but any exercise mat can work. Avoid yoga type mats as they are too spongy.
Table[]
Optional - It is quite handy to have some kind of table or stand within reach of your setup. Your water bottle, snacks, towel and other items are right there when you need them without getting off the bike. You can buy a stand like Wahoo's but many people either make their own or use and existing table/stand.
Big Screen[]
Optional - Though optional, a larger screen is just plain better to get the full immersive experience as well as being more fun. Larger TV screens are quite reasonable these days and will give you an experience that you will enjoy.
Heart Rate Monitor[]
Optional - A heart rate monitor (HRM) is optional unless you plan on racing, then it is required. This will measure your heart rate as you Zwift and is displayed on the screen via a bluetooth connection to your internet device. It is nice to have so you can monitor how much effort your heart is putting out and see trends over time. Racing leagues require an HRM to prevent cheating and validate race results. Garmin, Wahoo & Polar all make good HRMs.
Earbuds or Speakers[]
Optional - While Zwift can be quite immersive, having some earbuds or speakers can help as you can listen to your favorite music along the ride/run. Plug-in or bluetooth your music while you ride/run. Additionally, many group ride/events use Discord so that you can chat with others during the ride/run.
Steering[]
Optional - On some of the high-end smart bikes, steering functionality has already been added. However, you can buy after-market products that will give you the ability to steer in-game. In June 2023, Zwift released their Zwift Play Controllers which can attach to most bikes that provides steering functionality along with many other game features. These are 'nice to have' devices but steering functionality is growing in popularity. New races are evolving that require steering. They allow you to control the in-game steering by buttons or handlebar movement.
RockerPlates[]
Optional - A RockerPlate is a device that is placed under the bike or trainer to simulate bike movement while indoors. Some RockerPlates only provide side to side movement while others provide both front to back and side to side movements. These are strictly optional but can provide more realism while indoors. Additionally, if you're having saddle pain issues, a RockerPlate may help alleviate them by providing movement that changes your butt position on the saddle. Some RockerPlate brands include TurboRocks, Velocity Rockers, KOM Rocker, Rocker, Omnirocker and various DIY kits to make your own.
Pain Cave Gallery[]
Here's a few images of various setups for Zwift. Often called 'Pain Cave', these setups are as unique as each individual.
