Table of Contents
Today, Zwift announced the upcoming launch of an assessment-oriented training program. Zwift Camp: Baseline contains six stages – three workouts and three tests – and upon completion, you receive a report assessing your cycling strengths and limiters and advising on next steps.
Read on for details of Camp stages, schedule, and more…
Stage Details
Sprinting
Get a walkthrough of the sprint workout and test >
The Sprint Booster workout has you tackle high-intensity sprint intervals, with recovery sections in between. The full workout is 55 minutes long with 10 sprint segments, while the lite version is 29 minutes with 6 sprints.
After finishing your chosen Sprint Booster workout, let your legs recover for at least 1-2 days, then take the Sprint Test. The important part of this test is its three all-out 15-second sprint efforts. Your goal is to get your best possible sprint power in these segments, so Zwift can accurately assess your sprinting abilities!
After completing the Sprint Test, you’ll receive an email from Zwift summarizing your results. Think you can do better? You can do the test multiple times if you’d like, and you’ll get an email each time.
Attacking
Next, it’s time to work on your ability to attack! The Attack the Bunch workout features high-intensity intervals ranging from 45 seconds to 3 minutes. As the workout progresses, intervals get longer, but the target power also drops. The full workout is 53 minutes long with 8 hard intervals, while the lite version is 34 minutes with 6 hard intervals.
After finishing your chosen Attack the Bunch workout, let your legs recover for at least 1-2 days, then take the Attacking Test. The important part of this test is its two all-out 60-second efforts. Again, your goal is to get your best possible power in these segments, so Zwift can accurately assess your attacking abilities.
After completing the Attacking Test, you’ll receive an email from Zwift summarizing your results. Think you can do better? You can do the test multiple times if you’d like, and you’ll get an email each time.
Endurance
We’ve looked at sprint and attacking power, and now it’s time to tackle those lengthier endurance intervals. The Endurance Elevator workout has you tackle intervals at or around your FTP, with recovery sections in between. The full workout is 59 minutes long with 3 key intervals, while the lite version is 33 minutes with 2 key intervals.
For the endurance test, riders won’t execute a structured workout. Instead, you’ll take on the Elevation Evaluation route, which lets you get a quick warmup before taking you up The Grade. (Haven’t ridden The Grade yet? Read my review of the experience…)
Important: this stage isn’t testing your FTP, exactly. Zwift is taking your maximal 10-minute power from this ride and using it as your endurance power number. Our recommendation: start your 10-minute interval at the bottom of The Grade, and hold your best power to the 10-minute mark!
Be sure to finish the full route to get credit for the stage.
After completing the endurance test, you’ll receive an email from Zwift summarizing your results. Think you can do better? You can do the test multiple times if you’d like, and you’ll get an email each time.
Rider Strength Report
Upon completion of all six stages, you will receive a “Rider Strengths Report” email from Zwift sharing your strength as well as your limiter.
For the cycling nerds in the room: Zwift isn’t disclosing exactly how they’re determining your strength and limiter, because they want to make the results simple and actionable for newer riders. But their FAQ says, “The data from your best effort with these tests is captured and then compared against the rest of the wide and diverse set of Zwifters. Your relative score for each ability is then calculated, which results in your ‘strengths ranking’ where you can discover what is your highest strength versus your area for improvement. Remember, you can repeat these workouts as many times as you want, only your best performance will be taken into account.”
Your strengths will be one of the following:
- Sprinting
- Attacking
- Endurance
- Versatility (note: this will be your strength if your ability in two or more of the tests is close to equal)
Based on your strength, you’ll get recommendations for routes and races that fit you best.
The report will also share your limiter, which will be one of the following:
- Sprinting
- Attacking
- Endurance
You will get recommendations for ways to improve your limiter, including taking on a particular training plan, or doing one of the new Challenges (see below).
Important Note: Email Opt In
You will not receive any emails for this program or any Zwift campaign unless you’ve opted in to receive Zwift emails in your profile. To do so, sign into your account at zwift.com/sign-in and go to Profile>Notifications, then enable the setting and save your changes:
Followup Challenges
Zwift Camp: Baseline isn’t a training program as much as it is an assessment of your abilities. The magic happens when Zwift assesses your strengths and limiter, then points you to workouts that help you improve the area most limiting your cycling fitness. This is where three new Zwift mini-challenges will come into play:
- Sprinting Challenge
- Attacking Challenge
- Endurance Challenge
These will be available starting December 23, and each mini challenge will contain a mix of ERG workouts, route-based workouts, and (possibly) other activities to help boost your fitness in a specific area.
UPDATE December 23: Read all about these challenges >
Event Schedule
While you can execute the six stages of Zwift Camp: Baseline in whatever order you’d like, Zwift says the program is best executed in sequence (as outlined above).
Zwift will be hosting hourly events for each stage of the Camp, but you can also complete them on your own schedule, on demand.
Here is a complete list of key dates for Zwift Camp: Baseline:
- Zwift Camp: Baseline Registration Opens: November 12 (in game or online)
- Stage 1 – Sprint Booster events: November 18-24
- Stage 2 – Sprint Test events: November 24-December 1
- Stage 3 – Attack the Bunch events: December 1-8
- Stage 4 – Attacking Test events: December 8-15
- Stage 5 – Endurance Elevator events: December 15-22
- Stage 6 – Elevation Evaluation events: December 22-29
- Sprinting/Attacking/Endurance Challenges Available: December 23 onward
- Makeup Events: December 29-January 5
Unlocks
As you progress through the stages, you will unlock three exclusive rewards: the Baseline Kit (compete 1 stage), Oakley Katos (complete 3 stages), and Zwift Baseline Wheels (complete all stages).
Questions or Comments?
I’m excited to see Zwift moving into assessing riders’ fitness and helping them decide how to train next. The possibilities here are endless, and the potential benefits to Zwifters are massive!
But what do you think? Got a question or comment? Share below.
(More info is also available at the Zwift Camp: Baseline homepage and the Zwift Camp: Basline FAQ Support page.)
Eric, Do you plan on testing these wheels?
Of course!
Can’t wait to see your wheel test. They look pretty! 🤩
“The possibilities here are endless, and the potential benefits to Zwifters are massive!” – I agree with that. This is a very comprehensive test. I am enjoying this mini-challenge format.
Ah, this should be good! This is what Zwift Academy should have been about: assessing your cycling strengths and weaknesses and to put riders on the right track in ways (training plans and other options) to improve.
Exactly – with Zwift Academy moving more toward the talent ID side of things, it makes sense for Zwift to create something that is consumer-focused and educational.
Agreed. ZA was a total bummer this year and I hated it. I won’t do it again if that’s the format they stick with.
a few years back there was an email (as I remember, following ZA) regarding cycling “phenotype” i.e. strength, but not weakness, and no follow up actions.
Big data has great potential, interesting developments indeed! =)
Would like to see them partner with Xert in developing the training programs and leveraging the data analysis from that platform.
I didn’t do Zwift Academy this year because a) it was too early in the year (I was still outdoors) and b) I actually don’t have great cycling legs at that point in the year as I do other sports on summer weekends, and the workouts and tests all looked a bit tough for the level of cycling fitness I was at without a few weeks to get back into it. This looks like a much better replacement for what I previously used ZA for … I wonder if part of the reason they’ve come up with this is because the number of people doing ZA is way down with this years format?
Really like this, looking forward to working thru it and seeing what comes out the other end
I think it’s interesting that with these mini challenges and this program Zwift is really doubling down on being the platform for enthusiasts, those keen on keeping moving and keeping fit/healthy rather than the bona fide professional/amateur athletes
While Zwift is great for everyone, these recent features will be what keeps the former group happy and engaged, while an athlete with a coach and/or a training plan will stick with their predetermined season training plan
Maybe a sign of the differentiation between iV/TPV and Zwift moving forward..
Eric, do you know if this will be available under the Zwift Club facility ?
Hi Helene! Responding from Zwift HQ, yes I can confirm that the workouts will be available for you to set up Group Workouts with your Club 🙂
I’ve been doing assessment tests close to this for years–the added value here is leveraging off the data base of Zwift’s users to produce relative rankings. I sort of do that now for Zwift’s sprint and climbing KOMs (though not attacking) in Strava: I can see that I rank X out of Y sprints, or X out of Y climbs. Not every Zwift user is on Strava, and not every rider is on Zwift but it’s not a bad assessment. There are more complicated analyses possible with data like these, including ID’ing relative strengths, but this is pretty simple, and *much* better than a single FTP test, which is how most riders assess ability.
Agreed Robert!
Not sure if this is the intention but, I think if a lot of racers do this, it will be very helpful in determining better, and much more well rounded, racing score seed-scores as it assesses racers’ strengths across a variety of power periods.
Potential unexpected consequence of these sort of timed test workouts is an inflation of your ZRS, as your power numbers when fresh will be much higher than you might do in a an actual race.
If you are racing properly, the opposite should be true. you should have lower overall average power and higher power peaks, ie you are saving energy when not attacking/sprinting all the time, then when you do sprint or attack you should try your utmost to go at 100%. a workout is designed to stress you in certain ways.
All your PBs should have happened when it mattered… in a race.
Tell me you’re not at the bottom of your category without telling me you’re not at the bottom of your category. 😂
It’s not inflation if it’s what you can really do.
Some odd assumptions here… I am simply pointing out the practical reality that non-fatigued testing on Zwift impacts your ZRS, which – despite what ‘Dave’ says – should result in a higher initial score than one based on fatigued race numbers. This isn’t new, it’s a point previously by many others when it comes to ZRS.
I personally don’t need Zwift tests to tell me my S&W’s, but I suspect those that do will end up doing these tests and be the ones most likely to be impacted by this perhaps unexpected outcome (so hence the heads up)!
But yes – if you’re not actually on the border of a cat – it probably doesn’t matter (I’m not myself FWIW). And yes – “if that’s what you can do, that’s what you can do”; though I think it’s a bit more complicated than that as riders ability to re-produce fatigued numbers close to their non-fatigued numbers will vary … but that is a tricky one to resolve (time will tell if the reranking algo responds well to this).
I’m totally ok with this happening. * Cough sandbagging*
This sounds great. Would be even better if this ended up going into the mini challenges section so that it’s open all year round to people, once the initial event is over. It’s not like it’s fundamentally a group ride thing, so on demand for individuals would be a great thing to have.
Agreed. I think this is sort of a “proof of concept” from Zwift, and if it’s deemed successful, we’ll see more availability in game.
It has already been said above but I would still like to repeat it… This is what ZA should have done! I get what ZA is about but if your collecting and analyzing all that rider data then surely you can provide participants with feedback.
Great move Zwift, this is something I expect a large percentage of current Zwifters to get involved with.
I wish they wouldn’t have events overlap. Those of us who have left the ToW and the Community Racing thing to the last minute (come on, I’m not the only one) have a jam-packed week ending November 25. The stage 1 here ends November 24. I realise that I can do it on demand afterwards, but it is nicer to do it as an event, and why not just have Base Camp start after ToW and the community races end? Why the need to start it on the 18th and not on the 25th?
Zwift Academy for the 99%!
Will these events be available on demand past January 5th?
Zwift tells me:
Apologies if already asked but will this be available to repeat after December with the same feedback so that you can track and improvements etc?
Is there a zwift camp: baseline for C to E category?
The A or B only reflect the longer or shorter workouts. They are not your racing categories.
Can someone please link the workouts these cover? Can’t seem to find them anywhere, possibly me being old and rubbish or possibly because they aren’t listed yet?
Its here – https://zwiftinc.sjv.io/c/2607378/1772639/20902?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zwift.com%2Fzwift-camp
Where can I find the workouts?
You can find the Zwift Camp: Baseline workouts in the Zwift Camp: Baseline campaign card on your homescreen, in scheduled events on your ZC companion app, in the Zwift Camp: Baseline workout collection in your Workout Library and as part of the workouts available for Clubs
I was wondering the same 😀
In general I feel that most of the work outs/test could provide some useable information, but I do not feel that the Endurance Test, with the course being Elevation Evaluation actually tests endurance. Rather it tests a riders ability to tackle a steep climb (3.6k) after a very short intro, ride downhill (nearly 10k) and ride a mostly flat course. Endurance is the ability to push consistent wattage for a long duration. I think a much better test of endurance would be selecting one of the longer 25k+ courses that includes some minor climbs in the middle and possibly end, paired with a rolling course. The test should also be an ITT to eliminate the drafting component.
They should setup a new course just for the Endurance Test, a flat 30k version of the Climb Portal and put your power number center of screen, no games, just you and the bike.
Just finished stage 1 – shows as complete but no unlock….
The test for phase 1 doesn’t start until next week as far as I know.
It does have the kit unlock after 1 stage – I have it now…it just took a few hours to come through
OK, I take it all back. Just completed stage 1 without a test and received the jersey, sorry…
I did stage 1 but I didn’t get the kit at the end any reason why ? Did anyone else have this issue
Stage 1 includes a workout and a test as far as I know.
OK, I take it all back. Just completed stage 1 without a test and received the jersey, sorry…
It does have the kit unlock after 1 stage – I have it now…it just took a few hours to come through
Is it possible this week, to Start a ToW-Stage an Starte the Sprint Event over the Workout-Menu to get the 1.5XP ?
You can’t do workouts in events. But you could choose a ToW route for your workout. That will get you 1.5xp on the workout.
I love what Zwift is doing here! intervals.icu also gives you a rider type through their power profile over time and The Sufferfest/SYSTM has been using this type of testing for a few years now, though the test itself is HORRIBLE because it includes 2 all out sprints followed by Max 5 minute, 20 minute and 1 minute efforts all in 1 FUGLY hour long test. What Zwift is doing makes the testing much more approachable.
Any idea if workouts within Zwift will start to be tailored to our individual profiles (like SYSTM does currently)?
The test are all short, I would like to know my numbers after a bit more fatigue a la Zwift Academy
I would like to suggest a trip up Ven-top at a 65 to 70 minute pace. You should be fatigued after that. I will also suggest if that is not to your liking maybe 5 laps of the 2018 UCI short course in Innsbruck at 4.24 w/kg average pace.
😭
Is it possible to change the trainer difficulty even before the Grade?
Sure, you can change your trainer difficulty at any point.
Thanks Eric 🙂
I did the sprint Workout and test but i have not received an e-mail about my results. Anyone know why?
You will receive your Rider Strength Report when you complete 100% of the Zwift Camp: Baseline campaign, meaning all six rides—three workouts and three tests— must be completed. You should receive the email within 48 hrs of the completion of Zwift Camp: Baseline
But I received a email a link : https://www.zwift.com/ca-fr/zwift-camp
Same here. Didn´t receive an email. You should receive a report on completion of the stage.and then at the end an other report? Or am I mistaken?
I’ve done the sprint workout and test, and received emails after each.
Maybe check and make sure you’ve opted into Zwift emails in your profile settings online? Or check your spam folder?
The option was indeed turned off. It´s not really clear when you register for the basecamp that you should do this. It is simply stated that you will receive emails if you register for the basecamp So a bit weird in my opinion that this is only mentioned in the faq´s. If I register, I know that I will be receiving mails. That´s kinda the whole point. With zwift academy baseline in 2022 there was a similar problem it seems now that I did some research. They could have simply added this in the comments during the warm up. It´s only 34 minutes, so I´ll probably redo it, but if you are following a trainingplan, it´s puzzeling a bit to do these. 😉
I just confirmed with Zwift that you do indeed have to be opted in to receive emails for this program. It’s a bad setup – Zwift should have a marketing emails opt in separate from a “transactional” emails opt in, IMO. But it is what it is. So I’ve added a note above to hopefully encourage folks to opt in.
I did the sprint test at 5pm but stopped after a few minutes due to trainer issues. Received my email report straight away. Did the Tret again at 6pm and completed it. No email report received. At the end of the 6weeks, wich test will Zwift take ingo account?
Hi Paul! Responding from Zwift HQ here 🙂 unfortunately, we’re limited to sending the same email only once a day, which is why you didn’t get your email after your second try. However, we’re still capturing the data from your latest try and that’s the data that will be used for your final Rider Strength Report.
If you’d like to redo the test again before the end of the campaign (Jan 5), you’re more than welcome to do so and you should receive the email this time as long as you’re not doing the test twice within 24 hours. Either way, we will use your latest data for the final Report. Hope this helps! Good luck with the rest of Zwift Camp: Baseline 💪
Thank you. That’s good to know.
If I completed all six stages before realizing I had to opt in, is it possible to get my strength report by redoing a stage? (I am embarrassed I didn’t realize it was required 😅)
Zwift tells me it will not. You might be able to reach out to support and get them to somehow trigger it though.
Anyone know if I do all stages on demand by now I get the unlocks or have to wait for the stage dates?
You should get the unlocks now. I’m testing it with a bot and have one more stage to do to confirm this… but I’ve received the other two unlocks already.
Thank you Eric
Do I understand correctly, if I want to perform the endurance test ahead of schedule, I simply need to ride the Elevation Evaluation route (no specific workout)?
I don’t want to do a max effort on this route and discover afterwards that it doesn’t form part of the overall report 🙂
Just make sure you access the route through the Zwift Camp: Baseline homescreen banner. If you do that, it should be fine! (Not sure if it works just picking the route from the main route picker, so I wouldn’t advise that.)
Hi Craig! I can confirm that it also works from picking the route from the main route menu. Good luck with the rest of Zwift Camp: Baseline 💪
Having competed the sprinting portions of the baseline I’ve received an email which says that my report is above but it just says what my best 10sec power was. Is there something I’m missing or is that the report? There’s no links to anything other than to the main baseline page.
I completed Stage 1 Sprint Booster on 20th Nov. And Stage 2 Sprint Test today. Received an email after each to confirm both had been completed. But it says I am only 17% complete. Any ideas? Am I missing something?
If I understand correctly, you don’t necessarily have to go through the weekly events, but the 6 steps can be done at any time via the workouts section and free riding the Elevation Evaluation route?
Correct.
I received another sprint test result email today after my ride but I didn’t actually do the sprint test again. I did it one time last week. Has this happened to anyone else?
Yep, same thing happened to me after my Zone 2 ride. My new 10sec best is 260 watts according to the most recent “test” 🤔
Hej Eric
Do you know why I only received an email after the 1st trip, but none for the last 3 trips?
I do not. You should get an email after you complete each of the six stages.
I didn’t know my notification settings weren’t on until an hour after I’ve completed all 6 stages. Is there still a way to get my performance reports? Since I didn’t get any before.
Reach out to Zwift support and they should be able to make it happen.
Hello,
I finished the hole Baseline Event with a Freeride of Elevation Elevation last Friday. I got the Wheels and it said that I have 100% completed of the Baseline Event, but I haven’t recieved a Report for Event 6 or an overall Report. I have just got Reports after I finished Event 1 and 2.
Do you have a Solution for that ?
Best regards,
Phil
Hi
today I finished Endurance elevator. I havent started Elevation evaluation stage but would like to do it later this week.
Will I get email report if I finish Elevation evaluation after Jan 5th?
Thanks!
I finished my program on Jan 6, 2025 but still haven’t got my report! I have been getting all other Zwift reports right after. What happened?
No idea! I’d reach out to Zwift support if I were you.