Experience cycling without the cost on MyWhoosh, a similar platform to Zwift that offers free rides.
MyWhoosh: A Cost-Effective Indoor Cycling Training Platform
MyWhoosh, a free-to-use, ad-supported alternative to Zwift, has emerged as a noteworthy contender in the indoor cycling training domain. Boasting many similar features, the platform presents a viable option for building fitness and staying motivated while cycling indoors.
Although MyWhoosh may not be a household name, its branding has been prominently displayed, thanks to its partnership with UAE Team Emirates. The MyWhoosh logo was emblazoned across the jerseys and shorts of Tadej Pogacar, a prominent cyclist on the team.
The platform offers a range of headline features, making it an attractive choice for indoor cycling enthusiasts. Among these features, the virtual worlds stand out, providing a diverse selection of routes for users to explore and conquer. With desert landscapes ranging from AlUla, an ancient city on the Arabian Peninsula, to Colombia's Bogota City, the platform offers a rich and immersive cycling experience.
In terms of monetization, MyWhoosh integrates ads subtly, appearing as small flags on the street, rather than banners or pop-ups. Despite the ads, the visual experience maintains a certain similarity to participating in a sportive or race, which adds to the platform's appeal.
However, some users may find the graphics basic, even with the settings set to high. This issue may be due to user error, so further investigation is needed to understand the root cause.
Group rides and races are less frequent on MyWhoosh than on Zwift but still offer ample opportunities for interaction. With group rides taking place about every 15 minutes, users can readily find others to ride with, and drafting seems to be more effective when riding in the wheels compared to being on the front. MyWhoosh implemented an interesting approach to group rides, allowing everyone to start together regardless of ability, with bots riding around at various speeds.
Two races per day in the MyWhoosh HQ racing series, along with other events like the Rampage Racing series and an 8-week Masters Series, cater to a wide range of age groups. The Sunday Race Club, held each week, offers six categories, making it accessible to riders of all levels.
Training plans are one of the standout aspects of MyWhoosh, as they were created by Kevin Poulton, Zwift's former leading coach and now UAE Team Emirates coach. The plans cater to users at varying levels, from beginners to advanced cyclists, with geeky details and explanations offered to provide a thorough understanding of the mechanisms at play. Users can jump into the training plan at their chosen point, and custom workouts from other apps can be imported as well.
MyWhoosh also provides a library of workouts structured around a user's Functional Threshold Power (FTP), which can be tested for on the platform using a smart trainer. Workouts can last for as long as needed, making them suitable for any training schedule. Users can also create their own indoor cycling sessions for turbo training by using the built-in workout builder.
While MyWhoosh may not yet meet the standards of polish and constant activity found on Zwift, it offers a compelling alternative to those seeking a cost-effective, feature-rich platform with high-quality graphics and personalized coaching options. For those who are looking to save on costs or for those interested in a different kind of training experience, MyWhoosh could prove to be the perfect fit for their indoor cycling needs.
- To enhance their training, cycling enthusiasts might consider integrating smart-home-devices like smart trainers and gadgets with MyWhoosh, as the platform offers a library of workouts structured around a user's Functional Threshold Power (FTP).
- To keep up with the latest developments and advancements in sports, technology enthusiasts may find MyWhoosh an intriguing platform, as it incorporates virtual worlds for road racing, partnering with teams like UAE Team Emirates and offering training plans designed by former Zwift coach Kevin Poulton.
- In addition to cycling training, MyWhoosh could also blend with users' smart homes by connecting with smart devices, creating a more immersive and tech-driven fitness experience while they explore the diverse selection of routes in the platform's virtual worlds, such as the ancient city of AlUla or Bogota City.
