The Zwifter, his Peloton and the Rowing Boat

The at home, online triathlon training scene is having a big shake up and I’m hoping this will lead to creation of virtual triathlons which use the rowing, cycling and running format.

When I was in marketing doing competitive analysis, I used to look at my competitors jobs pages and Linkedin profiles to get a steer on their direction and decided to look at a few companies in the fitness area. These searches threw up a few interesting new roles and indeed some ideas of how these companies will evolve.

Zwift Recruiting for an Ocean Specialist

First up I had a look at Zwift and found mention of a new role called “Ocean Specialist” which sounded interesting. This new role job spec says “we are now expanding and are in the process of launching a number of at-home fitness products, that Zwift will manufacture and deliver directly to customers all over the world. This is a big and exciting change for us, and because of this, we are looking to build a global Supply Chain team”. This means that Zwift will be designing, manufacturing and distributing new physical products like indoor turbo trainers, treadmills and maybe even rowers for a full indoor virtual triathlon series? This is a big shift and maybe Zwift are feeling the pressure from companies like Wahoo who have both hardware and software offerings (more later).

https://startup.jobs/inbound-ocean-specialist-eu-uk-zwift-2772405

Peloton Recruits a Rowing Lead

Peloton have recruited a rowing lead which signals a move for Peloton into at-home rowing. I assume this means they are developing a connected rowing machine to add to the bike and treadmill products which could mean Peloton also promoting at-home triathlons.

A?recently surfaced LinkedIn profile?shows that Peloton has had a consultant working with them to develop a “new modality” who is a former rowing coach and a rowing studio owner which provides further evidence for Peloton’s plans to launch a?Peloton Rower & rowing classes?in the future.

Bradford Stevens is the former Head Men’s Crew Coach at the University of South Florida and owned his own rowing studio called Viking Row LLC for seven years in Tampa but now lives in New York City. According to his?LinkedIn profile, he first began working with Peloton as “Strategic Advisor” in June of 2021. His LinkedIn page contains numerous interesting details, most importantly confirming that he is working with Peloton to develop a “new modality” – which based on his background and one can assume that this is rowing. It also suggests he is training a new set of instructors who will focus on rowing.

Wahoo Purchases RGT

Wahoo announced on 26th?April that is completed the acquisition of RGT (Road Grand Tours) which is a virtual cycling app similar to Zwift. This will be added to the Wahoo SYSTM and offered as a new subscription called Wahoo X. This is a new addition on top of the acquisition The Sufferfest which includes cycling, yoga, strength and mindfulness training. Wahoo also has a line up of physical products such as indoor turbo trainers, indoor bikes, watches, heart rate monitors, pedals and bike computers.

“Wahoo RGT represents the next generation of virtual cycling, allowing cyclists to ride, race and explore on highly-detailed virtual roads, either alone or with others,” the company announced in its press release. “Powered by an advanced physics engine, Wahoo RGT provides realistic drafting, cornering and braking, making it less like a video game and more like an immersive cycling simulator. Athletes can choose from a library of some of cycling’s most iconic routes and racecourses—complete with authentic scenery and cheering fans—or upload their own GPX file from any route in the world and let RGT build an accurate, virtual version with the innovative Magic Roads feature. RGT also has a strong social component and robust calendar of virtual events. Subscribers have the ability to create, customize, and schedule virtual events like group rides and races and invite athletes from around the world. Users can join public events created by the RGT community, RGT’s brand partners, and the RGT community.”

This is going to make cycling at home more realistic and with the ability to create your own routes using GPX files, for example well known triathlon routes, a great way to train for a specific race. This will compete head on with the routes in Apps such as Rouvy and Fulgaz (now part of IRONMAN).

The Virtual and Physical Shake Up

I think the consolidation of indoor and at home training Apps and products will continue in 2022 and I have my fingers and toes crossed that this will lead to row, bike and run at home triathlons gaining popularity. I set up and run the Zwift Rowers Facebook group and we are all getting excited about the prospect. You can join the rowing group?here. It would be great to see you there – Row On!

Karen Parnell?is a Level 3 British Triathlon and IRONMAN Certified Coach, NASM Personal Trainer and Sports Technology Writer.

If you are interested in training for a triathlon get in?touch.

#chilitri #triathlon #zwift #wahoo #peleton #rowing