New to Zwift? Learn how to set up your indoor bike, create an account, and start your first virtual ride

If you’ve got a bike at home collecting dust it’s now easier than ever to get up and running with Zwift. So if the weather, dark evenings or a busy schedule has made it tricky to ride outside, you can bring your bike back to life with indoor cycling.

But let’s be honest, starting anything new can feel overwhelming. ‘What do I need? Do I have the right equipment? How do I even begin cycling at home?’ That’s where this guide comes in.

We’ll take you step by step through creating your Zwift account, setting up your indoor bike, and joining your very first ride. No jargon. No confusing tech talk. Just clear steps to get you pedalling.

Step 1: Get Your Zwift Accounts Set

This is where everything begins. Even before you think about trainers, devices or bikes, the ideal first step is to create your Zwift account.

Once you have your account, you’ll know exactly what equipment is compatible, how the Zwift cycling app works, and you’ll have everything ready to go when you have set up your bike. Think of it like setting up your Strava account before going on a run or ride. You want the account ready so you can jump straight in when the time comes.

First, head to zwift.com. Then click ‘get started’ in the top right corner.

Fill in your name and email address before activating your membership.

You’ll get a 14-day free trial so you can explore the whole of Zwift for free before committing to a monthly plan.

Then you’ll be asked about your cycling background, why you’re choosing to Zwift, along with some information like height and weight (don’t worry – this helps Zwift create a more accurate riding experience).

Next… Download Zwift Companion

You don’t need an active subscription to use the Zwift Companion App. This means you can get a good understanding of what’s on Zwift before joining. Here you can jump right into the Zwift community, whether that’s following your friends or joining one of the hundreds of cycling clubs on Zwift, like Zwift Beginners with over 45,000 members or GCN with over 75,000 members. You can also browse daily events on Zwift, from group rides to workouts, races to fondos.

The app is available to download in the App Store and Google Play Store.

Lastly… Connect Your Accounts

A final stepping stone that will give you a big head start when you join Zwift. Connect your Garmin, Wahoo, Hammerhead, or Strava account to get meaningful recommendations from your first pedal stroke. 

By connecting upfront you’ll get instant ride history and smart goals based on your previous training history. Zwift doesn’t stop at just indoor training. Fitness tracking gives you up-to-date fitness insights by combining your indoor and outdoor rides into one dashboard in the Zwift Companion App.

Step 2: Build Your Indoor Setup

Now that you’ve got your account, let’s look at your indoor setup. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a lot to get started. There are a few different ways to ride Zwift, depending on your budget and how immersive you want the experience to be.

Option 1: Smart Trainer (Best Experience)

A smart trainer is the gold standard for Zwift. It replaces your back wheel or attaches to your rear wheel, and it connects directly to Zwift. When the road in the game goes uphill, the trainer automatically gets harder to pedal. Downhill? It eases off. It’s as close as you can get to riding outdoors without leaving the house.

Popular smart trainers include the Wahoo KICKR CORE, the Van Rysel Home Trainer D100, and the JetBlack Victory. You can buy Wahoo products directly on zwift.com if you’re in the UK, EU, or US.

Option 2: Classic Trainer + Sensors (Budget-Friendly)

If you already own a ‘classic’ turbo trainer (the type where your back wheel spins on a roller), you can still use it with Zwift. You’ll just need a speed sensor that attaches to your wheel.

This setup doesn’t change resistance automatically, but it will still get you riding on Zwift.

Option 3: Smart Bike (Premium Option)

For the ultimate indoor riding setup, you could invest in a smart bike like the Zwift Ride. These are all-in-one machines that are specifically designed for riding indoors. They can be more expensive, but come with the benefit of delivering incredible realism and will adjust automatically to every virtual road.

Step 3: Get Your Bike Zwift Ready

If you’ve decided to use your own road, gravel, or mountain bike with a trainer, there isn’t much work to do to get it ready to ride indoors.

It’s wise to check your chain and drivetrain, you’ll want this to be as smooth as possible to provide the best experience.

If you’re using a ‘wheel-on’ or ‘classic’ trainer where the wheel stays on your bike, you can opt for a spare wheel or training tyre to keep noise to a minimum and reduce wear on your outside tyre.

Lastly, make sure everything is tight when it’s mounted. Mainly skewers and thru-axels as these are the main contact points between the trainer and your bike.

Step 4: Connect Your Equipment

With your account created and bike set up, it’s time to connect everything together. Open the Zwift app on your computer, tablet, or Apple TV.

After you’ve logged in with the account you created earlier, you’ll reach the pairing screen. Here you’ll see options for connecting a power source or speed sensor. 

If you’re using a smart trainer, it should appear automatically via Bluetooth or ANT+. If you’re using a classic trainer with sensors, pair the speed sensor here.

Once connected, you’ll be able to add secondary devices like heart rate monitors and cadence sensors to give you more data in the game.

Step 5: Set Up Your Riding Space

Indoor cycling is about more than just the trainer, it’s about creating a space where you’ll want to ride.

Here are some extras that can give a boost to your setup:

• Fan: Even a small desk fan will make a big difference in keeping you cool.

• Mat: Put your trainer on a yoga mat or turbo mat to catch sweat and reduce noise.

• Towel: You’ll sweat quite a bit indoors so a towel is handy to have close by.

• Bottles: Hydration is just as important indoors.

• Screen: Whether it’s a laptop, tablet, or big TV, having a good display helps you feel immersed in Zwift’s virtual worlds.

Step 6: Jump Into Your First Zwift Ride

Now for the fun part: riding! Open the Zwift app and log in.

On the homescreen, you’ll see your options:

• Join an event to ride with others.
  
• Choose a route to ride in a virtual world like Watopia or Makuri Islands.

• Train with a structured workout.

For your very first ride, choose a short free ride in Watopia. This will let you get used to the feel of Zwift without any pressure.

What to Expect on Your First Zwift Ride

• Your avatar (on-screen rider) will pedal as you pedal.

• The terrain will change meaning uphill will get harder and downhill easier (if you’re on a smart trainer).

• Other riders will appear on the road alongside you, each being a real person riding from around the world. 

Step 7: Keep It Fun and Motivating

Indoor cycling can easily become a habit when it’s enjoyable. Here are some tips to keep your Zwift journey fun:

• Ride with friends. You can invite them via the Zwift Companion app or join one of the thousands of cycling clubs on Zwift, The GCN Club has over 80,000 members and Zwift Beginners has more than 46,000 members.

• Set small cycling goals on Zwift. Maybe aim to ride a new route or complete a group ride.

• Mix it up. Explore different worlds like France or New York, to enjoy exploring new virtual roads.

• Celebrate milestones. Whether it’s your first 10 miles or completing a workout, give yourself and your fellow riders credit.

Common Questions for New Zwifters

Do I need a smart trainer to use Zwift?

No. You can use a classic trainer with a speed sensor. A smart trainer makes the experience more immersive by controlling resistance, but it’s not essential to get started.

How much does Zwift cost?

Zwift is a subscription service with a monthly fee. The monthly cost is $19.99, €19.99 or £17.99 per month. You can save two months by purchasing an annual subscription, and remember, new riders get a 14 day free trial to test it out first.

Can I use any bike?

Almost any bike works with Zwift, road, gravel, mountain, or even a hybrid. Just check with your trainer’s specifications to make sure it fits. Trainers marker Zwift Ready fit all 8-13 speed bikes.

Do I need a high-spec computer?

No. Zwift runs on most modern laptops, tablets, Apple TV and even a smart phone. Check out this guide for the cheapest PC & tablets for Zwift.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Overthink It

The hardest part of Zwift isn’t the riding, it’s just getting started. But once you’ve created your account, set up your bike, and tried that first free ride, you’ll see how easy it is to ride.

So dust off that bike, grab a fan, and take the leap. Your garage or spare room is about to become a gateway to group rides in Paris, climbs up virtual mountains, and a whole new cycling community.