TrainerRoad has launched an entirely new feature to address the self-isolation behavior of current users. Group workouts are a new way to motivate riders through their next session.

The coronavirus outbreak has forced riders to forgo group rides, forcing many to ride alone on turbo trainers, and TrainerRoad CEO Nate Pearson told Cycling News that as a result, daily activity has increased by 50% compared to this time last year, he said.

The group workout feature was originally scheduled to launch in late 2020, but was moved up due to current conditions. In just 10 days, developers made the proof of concept a reality, effectively reinstating group rides for subscribers.

Simply put, TrainerRoad's group workout feature is a synchronized workout with friends where up to five participants can endure the same workout at the same time, and group video chat allows for conversation and group motivation.

During the workout, each participant's power and heart rate data is displayed and can be compared in real time to surpass each other's power numbers during the maximum effort interval.

During all intervals, each rider is given a target power according to their personal threshold. This allows each rider to suffer equally during the longer steady state intervals, ensuring that everyone gets the maximum benefit from the workout without the stronger riders being under-exercised or the weaker riders being pushed too hard.

On April 14, TrainerRoad announced further updates, adding ramp testing to the long list of workouts available in the group workout mode. Multiple athletes can now work on a fitness test at the same time, increasing motivation for group rides during the test.

TrainerRoad is also working on increasing the number of athletes that can be in a group workout at the same time from 5 to 12, which will be officially announced soon.

Not unlike logging into a Zoom meeting or Google Hangout, the workout "host" shares the code with the group ride buddies. You'll need a webcam to capture your expressions of distress, and headphones to output your ride mates' motivational tweets directly to your ears.

TrainerRoad typically adopts a "entertain yourself" philosophy, and unlike Zwift, the app runs in the background while you binge on a Netflix series or relive your childhood on Disney+ (open in new tab)

This is generally the case with Zwift.

While this is generally beneficial for longer, lower-impact workouts, sprint intervals require that maximum focus be directed to the workout at hand. Group workouts are intended to bring mental stimulation through conversation through such workouts. In such workouts, mental stimulation through conversation helps.

Register on TrainerRoad [23].