The much-requested Zwift family plan and alternatives that won't break the bank
If you're a part of the indoor cycling community, you've probably found yourself wondering why Zwift, the leader in virtual cycling apps, still hasn't offered a family plan. It's become somewhat of an enigma, considering the fact that many of its competitors have embraced the idea. So, what gives, Zwift? We're here to unravel this mystery and provide some alternatives for those who are seeking a more budget-friendly solution for their indoor cycling needs. Get ready to gear up for some family fun!
The Zwift Family Plan Saga
In this section, we will delve into the ongoing saga of the much-requested Zwift family plan. We'll discuss how Zwift has acknowledged this request but continues to leave its users hanging. We'll also cover the current pricing model and the extra cost it incurs for multi-cyclist households. With a monthly subscription fee of $15 per user, families with multiple cyclists could easily find themselves paying $30, $45, or even more each month for their Zwift subscriptions.
Zwift's Freebie: Kids Ride for Free
Despite the lack of a family plan, Zwift does offer a free account for children aged 5 to 16. We'll discuss the application process and how it can save families some cash.
Here's the link to request a free account:
Free Zwift for Kids Request Form
The Struggles of Sharing a Single Zwift Account
Sharing a single Zwift account among multiple users may seem like a budget-friendly alternative to the lack of a family plan. However, this approach comes with several disadvantages that can negatively impact users' experience and motivation. Let's explore the key issues that arise from sharing a Zwift account.
1. Loss of Personal Achievements
When multiple users share an account, personal achievements become a blend of everyone's efforts, resulting in a loss of sentimental value. Zwift rewards users with badges for reaching milestones like completing routes or setting exceptional times. These badges symbolize cyclists' hard work and dedication, but when users share an account, the badges no longer represent one individual's accomplishments, diminishing their significance and motivational power.
2. Mixed Ride Statistics
Sharing a Zwift account leads to mixed ride statistics, making it difficult to track individual progress. Cyclists often monitor their performance, such as kilometers ridden per week or total elevation climbed during a season. When multiple riders use the same account, these statistics become jumbled, leaving users unable to accurately assess their progress and set new goals.
3. Irrelevant Personal Records
Recording personal bests on individual segments in Zwift encourages cyclists to push themselves harder to break their records. When multiple users share an account, these records become irrelevant, particularly for less experienced riders who may never have the chance to set or beat a record. This loss of personal record tracking can be frustrating and demotivating for those who rely on benchmarks to challenge themselves and measure improvement.
4. Potential Zwift Power Profile Ban
Sharing a Zwift account also carries the risk of a Zwift Power profile ban. Multiple users sharing an account often change their weight and FTP values to match the current user. While this may work for casual riders, it can be tedious for more serious cyclists. Furthermore, constantly changing these values can lead to a ban on the Zwift Power platform, which tracks race results and performance statistics. If the system detects suspicious activity, the shared profile could be flagged as fraudulent, resulting in a ban and loss of access to race results and rankings.
In conclusion, while sharing a single Zwift account might initially appear to be a clever workaround for the missing family plan, it comes with significant drawbacks. The loss of personal achievements, mixed ride statistics, and the risk of a Zwift Power ban can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction for users. Until Zwift offers a family plan, cyclists seeking a more streamlined and personalized experience may need to consider alternative platforms or accept the additional cost of individual accounts.
Zwift Alternatives: When One Subscription Just Isn't Enough
For those who are tired of waiting for Zwift to offer a family plan, there are alternatives! We'll introduce Rouvy, a virtual cycling app that allows up to three users on one account. We'll discuss the price difference and the reasons why some cyclists are making the switch from Zwift to Rouvy. With a monthly subscription fee of $12 for up to three users, families can save a significant amount of money compared to paying for multiple Zwift subscriptions.
Conclusion:
As we reach the end of our journey into the mysterious world of the missing Zwift family plan, it's clear that there is still no definitive answer as to why it hasn't been implemented yet. While Zwift continues to leave its users puzzled, it's comforting to know that there are alternatives out there, like Rouvy, for families who want to enjoy indoor cycling together without breaking the bank. So, until Zwift finally decides to jump on the family plan bandwagon, the quest for a more budget-friendly virtual cycling experience continues. Happy riding!
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