Trainer Wars Heat Up: Wahoo Launches Hardware & Software Subscription for $29.99, Enhances Wahoo X
Perhaps in response to Zwift’s controversial new Zwift Hub, Wahoo Fitness has launched a new hardware and software package to get you riding indoors at an affordable price. In addition, it has expanded its training software platform, Wahoo X, with new features and updates, including outdoor workouts, integrated Voice Chat, a new virtual Real Road, structured training plans and cross-training workouts.
The Bundle
Let’s not allow the term “Indoor Training as a Service” to gain any traction, because we can sense the tech startup boys salivating already. Nevertheless,,,,,
The Wahoo X Indoor Cycling package is available exclusively in the US at a price of $29.99 per month. The bundle includes a year subscription to Wahoo X (normally $14.99), as well as a KICKR SNAP Smart Trainer.
Since Wahoo X is already kind of a bundle, we can unpack it further. You get
- A Wahoo SNAP Indoor Trainer
- Wahoo RGT
- Wahoo SYSTM
Wahoo says this makes “it easier and more affordable for riders to get a complete indoor riding and training experience.” And fair enough, it does. $360 total for the year comes up cheaper than the $399 the trainer sells for normally, and the included subscription price means Wahoo is essentially giving you a trainer for $180.
Our understanding is that once the year is up, you revert the regular $14.99 subscription. So, not a bad deal at all if you want to use Wahoo X. But do you? You might once you’ve read the next words we’re going to type.
Wahoo X Enhancements
Wahoo X’s all-in-one membership “provides cyclists with the full breadth of year-round riding and training experiences.” A combination of smart acquisitions has the service offering what Wahoo calls “the ultimate combined virtual and real-world cycling ecosystem – indoors and outdoors, structured training or virtual riding, racing and challenges.” They add, “Whatever being a better athlete means to the rider, Wahoo X offers the most comprehensive ways to get there.” Which is a bit much, but we’ll include it anyway.
Wahoo X’s virtual riding and racing platform, RGT, launches a new Voice Chat feature. Riders will have the option for voice chat ‘in app,’ with other riders. This feature has multiple uses, from social chat when on group rides, through to race radio in the increasingly popular RGT virtual races, bringing the energy of racing to life while riding indoors. Voice chat connects users in a brand-new way during indoor virtual rides. It’s probably great for trolling people too.
Wahoo X is also launching the ‘Dunoon Crossover’ on RGT – a brand new gravel ‘Real Road,’ based on a new high profile cycling destination, soon to open in Scotland. This innovative new Real Road becomes the first realistic gravel and MTB experience in the virtual riding category. Single-track off-road sections and resistance changes based on the ride surface bring a whole new experience to virtual riding and racing – riders must now time their sprints and overtakes. This takes the ‘Real Road’ library to thirteen, which include iconic cycling regions in Belgium, Italy, France, the UK and the US. Wahoo has also recently improved and enhanced the ‘Magic Road’ feature, which gives unlimited ride possibilities, allowing members to upload their own routes via a GPX file and ride, share and create events on them.
SYSTM, Wahoo X’s connected training offering, launches an innovative new integration with the ELEMNT range of GPS bike computers. For the first time, riders can now sync their workouts with their Wahoo X subscription, allowing them access to structured workouts outside. This creates the ultimate choice for athletes on where they workout; inside or outside. Structured workouts will be synced directly to the user’s ELEMNT bike computer via this integration, providing an opportunity to experience Wahoo’s Sports Science backed training methodology outdoors.
SYSTM also continues to grow its extensive library of workouts and videos with the launch of new, immersive training content. This includes the recent release of “On Location Portugal,” which adds to the popular On Location series. SYSTM boasts an extremely comprehensive list of workouts to motivate and help athletes further their fitness goals. There are now over 700 workouts available on SYSTM, including cycling, yoga, strength & mobility, running, swimming, and mental training. This makes Wahoo X a very cost-effective training platform for endurance athletes.
Interview: Mike Saturnia, CEO Wahoo
“Wahoo X is the ultimate all-in-one subscription for cyclists offering incredible variety, immersive experiences and comprehensive training. Whether training indoors or outdoors, our best-in-class hardware products combined with innovative software creates a unique and complete integrated training experience. Additionally, our Wahoo Sports Science Team are continuously testing and pushing the limits, so we can offer the best plans, training and expertise as part of our Wahoo X subscription.
“Our mission is to build a better athlete in all of us. Wahoo’s new Indoor Cycling package, with one low monthly price, makes it easier and more accessible for cyclists to maintain or build their fitness level during winter months and experience best in class indoor cycling.”
Buy It
Wahoo X is available for $14.99. Not sure how you buy the bundle. They’ll probably update the website today to make us look stupid.