How to Get Zwift to Work on Your Treadmill in South Africa

In this post, I will show you how I got Zwift to work on my computer and using my treadmill.  People who know me know that I love technology and gadgets. So, with this in mind, how could I make my sport more fun using technology?

I read in the July 2018 issue of www.runnersworld.co.za how to up your treadmill game.  I have a Trojan Solitude treadmill, a slightly older model that comes with a Polar heart rate monitor, but that is the extent of the tech on the treadmill.  The article was helpful, but my treadmill couldn’t sync with Zwift. However, I have a Garmin foot pod, and to make that work I did the following.

First of all, you can start Zwifting for free; no payment is required. You can download it to your PC or Mac using the download button below. Once it is installed, you can create an account. At the bottom of the page, you will find a step-by-step guide.

The second thing you will need is an ANT+ USB stick. This plugs into your computer and communicates with your devices to make Zwift work.  I am a Garmin fan, so the link to buy it on the Garmin website is below, but you can shop around on other websites.

The next thing you are going to need is a foot pod with an ANT+ setting. I have had my Garmin one for a while; I bought my Garmin foot pod second-hand, but they are rare to find second-hand. The link to purchase a Garmin Foot Pod is below.

The final thing you will need to make Zwifting more fun is a heart rate monitor. I already had a  Garmin heart rate monitor in my kit that was given to me by someone who inspired my fitness journey.  You can purchase the heart rate monitor on the link below, or shop around.  There are plenty available second-hand as well.