Zwift a Cheaters Paradise?

แชร์
ฝัง
  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ย. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 213

  • @MarkLewisfitness
    @MarkLewisfitness  3 ปีที่แล้ว +52

    UPDATE: 21st April - The power of some angry Zwifters has taken it's toll! Zwift have semi-reversed their decision and height and weight will REMAIN on Zwiftpower....for now!

    • @Shopbobby
      @Shopbobby 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I see from watching gplama review of the updates that Zwift have “paused” rolling out this change .......

    • @MarkLewisfitness
      @MarkLewisfitness  3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      @@Shopbobby Yep, rumour has it they saw my video and backtracked faster than a 5ft tall, 95 lbs rider doing 1400w sprints 😂 which is a pity, because I now need a new way of going that fast 💨 😆💪

  • @nicholasjlloyd
    @nicholasjlloyd 3 ปีที่แล้ว +80

    Give people the option to make their height/weight public or private. Those who want to keep it private can do so. Those who want to race will likely want to make it public so that they don’t get questions.

    • @bitminerbob6731
      @bitminerbob6731 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      That makes way too much sense.

    • @benjaminlin8386
      @benjaminlin8386 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      totally agree, this is where ZP being created, if you are serious about racing, don't use the leaderboard from Zwift, join ZP and ZP has rule/algorithm to figure out cheaters, and required heartrate data etc. but now Zwift owned ZP and removed that data...maybe we will see ZP2.0 soon lol

  • @markpowell5116
    @markpowell5116 3 ปีที่แล้ว +45

    My solution is an 'opt out' option. You can choose to not display weight and height, however that will restict some races you have available.

  • @Shopbobby
    @Shopbobby 3 ปีที่แล้ว +48

    As a, let’s be totally honest fat, overweight rider (6ft 2in 111kg (and I’m not built like you Mark) I have never had anything but encouragement and support when crawling up hills on groups and tours on zwift when declaring “111kg is meant to go down not up hill”
    Your videos have driven me to be “better than average “ but to make that comparison I need to know what I’m against (I personally don’t care what shape, size, sex or whatever label people carry )- I just want to make a realistic comparison.
    I ride Zwift for me , to make me fitter and stronger in real life ,
    I have no real objection to them removing data my objection is hiding the reason behind poor excuses (same as we suffer all the time “can’t do that because of Health and safety when in fact it’s a money saving exercise )
    Great videos and thanks for all the encouragement to improve 👍

    • @tonycrabtree3416
      @tonycrabtree3416 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You’ve noticed how Zwift doesn’t really help you down hills compared to real life. You would sail right past most riders in Zwift on any 7 percent descent, but it takes forever and that’s even if you do pass a 75 kilo rider.

  • @glyngriffiths226
    @glyngriffiths226 3 ปีที่แล้ว +49

    I compete against myself. Zwift has allowed me to gain fitness through the winter and this transfers to the road, so it has served its purpose. Experience has taught me that cheating is a very common human trait no matter what the competition.

    • @jordy46682
      @jordy46682 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Golf is one of the worst... And that's a sport usually played by the upper/middle class who present themselves as decent members of society. If you cheat at golf, it's only yourself that you have to look at in the mirror, but yet many, many people still do it. If you are prepared to cheat at something so mundane, what else will you do in life to make sure you get ahead... Baffling!

  • @freburt2772
    @freburt2772 3 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    Mark, here's my 2 cents... I put my real height and weight. If others don't, who gives a crap. I workout and race on zwift to get better. If a 'cheater' beats me, I'll never know nor care. If they pushed me and I got better, that's a win!

  • @PedroPrego
    @PedroPrego 3 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    And still when you end an workout/race zwift measures your effort on slices of pizza. I could argue that they are promoting a lifestyle of "do an workout and then splurge on pizza".

    • @scottgibson474
      @scottgibson474 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Riding for an hour gets you like 2 slices... don’t know if you could call that splurging!

    • @PedroPrego
      @PedroPrego 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@scottgibson474 it's not hour dependent but effort dependent but thats not the issue here. the "problem" is the message. for me it's not a problem it's a joke and put there to make it a bit funny. But if their are trying to fight back bad habits and possible eating disorders then you do not link effort to slices of pizza. You link it for something like "good work, you just increased your life expectancy"

    • @scottgibson474
      @scottgibson474 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yea completely get all of that my reply was just a joke too. More towards my own appetite more then anything! The pizza thing is just a calorie counter and if anything I think it highlights how hard you have to work just to burn a small amount of food.

    • @PedroPrego
      @PedroPrego 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@scottgibson474 that's the thing. it's open to interpretation the same way for some "being able to see others weight" is open for eating disorders. Thus, for coherence, it would me more neutral to link effort to something else.

    • @scottgibson474
      @scottgibson474 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@PedroPrego I don’t see why pizza is a negative thing though. Pizza is only bad for you if you’re eating in a calorie surplus, if you actually only ate pizza according to what you burnt off in zwift you would never be splurging, in fact I’d argue that’s a great way of replenishing glycogen!

  • @mikewilson0
    @mikewilson0 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    It feels to me like they could stand to differentiate between something like a recreational league which is mostly a free for all, and a competitive league where these stats should be verified (somehow).

    • @hardboiledPhil
      @hardboiledPhil 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I think they are verified for the elites/serious CatAs etc - photo stood on scales, dual power recording etc.

  • @dangercox
    @dangercox 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I understand why, now Zwift needs to role out anti sandbagging to all races and make sure it does slow down riders in the last few minutes of races if they are producing w/kg of the above cat.

  • @SleazyBadger
    @SleazyBadger 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    I'm glad you picked this up. You've covered pretty much everything, from both sides of the equation. The whole thing just seems so 'clumsy'. If there are genuine issues with abuse then implement a real system for reporting and real repercussions for offenders. For those that have genuine issues with their weight, then implement a real support referral system. What you shouldn't do is potentially make the racing landscape worse for the 99.99% of people who aren't affected by either of these problems. /2p.

    • @hardboiledPhil
      @hardboiledPhil 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Easier to mask the problem by hiding numbers rather than properly fixing sandbagging?

    • @velocity4761
      @velocity4761 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@hardboiledPhil it seems zwift's usual approach to solving problems is masking it rather than seriously addressing it lol

  • @royevans4581
    @royevans4581 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I'm 6ft 1 and 85kgs. Zwift was the only way to show the world my biomechanical perfection. Damn it!

  • @MarkLewisfitness
    @MarkLewisfitness  3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Interesting topic hopefully. What are your thoughts? .... And a sensitive issue, so let's keep comments mindful of that! 🙂

    • @kevkeates
      @kevkeates 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Have I missed something here Mark? whilst the "displaying" of said weight and height are being removed surely Zwiftpower will still require those details and be using those for their stats and results verification process. Am I right in thinking that people will still be disqualified from events if the numbers don't stack up?

    • @mdbourne
      @mdbourne 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      The only “harassment” I have seen, is actually what you said. People who randomly dropped 25kg and then went from being uncompetitive to easily winning and then people calling them out on Reddit/youtube. I think this is a dumb change. If we raced in person, i can glance over and easily tell roughly your height and weight.

    • @sebt4642
      @sebt4642 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Have they got rid of erg mode as well mate?

  • @petermutten1900
    @petermutten1900 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    The part that I have not seen mentioned is what monitoring Zwift is going to do in the background. Are they going to check for changes in height and weight that seem abnormal and then follow up with that rider? I would hope so but someone I doubt it.
    Re you getting close to getting upgraded, you do a lot of short races so the heavier riders (me included) do better in those types of races. If you want to stay a C then do longer races. If you want to progress then carry on and then just race with the people close to you. Doesn't matter if it is for 1sr or 31st. Surely it is all about improving as an athlete?
    My biggest issue is that my FIT files have stopped uploading to Zwiftpower since March.

  • @vorzap
    @vorzap 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hi love your content. Nice to see another 6’6” rider. I quit zwift in favor of TrainerRoad because I found that most zwifters are so much faster than their real life Strava data. Used to be as heavy as you, but not from muscle, currently down to 91kg with a 302w ftp so probably still a C rider if I went back to zwift.

    • @MarkLewisfitness
      @MarkLewisfitness  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I love trainerroad for proper training.... Zwift is more like a game

  • @dazcarter73
    @dazcarter73 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks Mark, great fluid piece. As a competitive racer on Zwift I have an issue with this (no surprise I guess). It’s a step back in Transparency. I just wished there was more dialogue, discussion with the community beforehand. I agree with others that making weight visibility optional (hidden by default at first) on ZP would have been a better move, at least to start with.

    • @dazcarter73
      @dazcarter73 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Can’t see a uturn but perhaps they could meet us halfway with the ZP opt in. Otherwise Im worried this will hurt community racing. There is after all another platform gaining prominence that welcomes the ebiopassport.

  • @dansheremeto4073
    @dansheremeto4073 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Here’s a new perspective: Zwift claims to be making this change for the individual welfare of community members. But it continues to assign A/B/C/D race categories using w/kg. This system of categorization encourages unhealthy eating habits, as it rewards lighter riders. If they’re really serious about body dysmorphia, they should do away with w/kg based categorization and replace it with race rankings (which is a superior system anyway, as articulated by James Eastwood on ZwiftInsider)

  • @johndirom8999
    @johndirom8999 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    They're wrong. If someone makes offensive remarks to another rider, they should be banned from making comments in-game for a week; if they do it a second time, they should be banned from making ANY comments ever again. They could still use Zwift, just not comment. Height and weight should be available to all, if it is going to matter. I am a heavy (and older (98kg and 61)) rider, so i don't race, but if i was light and young, i wouldn't race because you never know who/what you're racing against. It IS a cheaters paradise, unless at the very, very top level. Great content, many thanks.

  • @liam_c27
    @liam_c27 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Personally love the competition of Zwift & try not not get too caught up in thinking about who is doping. I have naturally lost weight from riding & now compete in Cat B, but I use a smart scale to automatically update my zwift weight & don't necessarily take notice of the number I see when I step on, know how happy I am from what I see in the mirror & how I'm riding 👌

  • @st939
    @st939 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Totally agree this is only relevant however to us doing the racing on Zwift, for exercising or just casual riding not really a problem. Zwift however just killed racing by making this choice.

    • @Conssumed
      @Conssumed 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Blame people like yourself. This is why we can’t have nice things.

  • @jesikat
    @jesikat 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Honestly, I can see how it can affect people leading to triggering of disordered eating. Will it help them? I'm not sure. Is it a knee-jerk type reaction that needs a more nuanced approach? I think so, and I think that's clearly recognised in all the commentary around it.
    One thing they've done, making the weigh-ins private, is probably a good step though.
    In terms of a more nuanced approach, they could quantize the weight values, say it can only go up/down by 2kg at any one time, and rounding to the nearest 1-2kg. Additionally, they could implement time-based limits in weight deltas. Say you can't gain/lose more than 5kg in 30-90 days, or what have you. I don't know if it's better or worse, but having limits on how often you can change your weight, knowing that you're not able to influence your in-game performance, maybe there is potential?
    The other thing they could do, at least in ZwiftPower, is show a relative weight delta, whether in absolute kg, or a percentage gain/loss, so that weight doping can still be managed. Besides, weight can still be trivially inferred, as many have already pointed out.
    The biggest problem, however, is the restriction on height. Unlike weight, height cannot be inferred, and there is actually a significant benefit to be made from reducing your height.
    Either way, I'm hoping this is just one step in a process of devising a better long term solution, particularly for the racing scene where accurate data does matter.

  • @abigknoop2960
    @abigknoop2960 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    in freeroam I see why people would want to hide that kind of information but I think it should be public for races. Or maybe it should be a toggleable option to show or hide this info.

  • @chrisjordan7165
    @chrisjordan7165 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Dunno man. My competition is me.
    I don’t care about sock color. Sock height though...

    • @savegan4005
      @savegan4005 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      high sock height pls

  • @FoliFlipper
    @FoliFlipper 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good "gut" feeling Mark! Thanks for sharing!

  • @chbrosz
    @chbrosz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    6:24: "i drop my weight by 10 to 15 kilos...not too much" 😶😂

  • @SAMGB4H
    @SAMGB4H 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    There should be some sort of weight/height verification system to allow you to ride on Zwift. For example submitting a timestamped photo/video of a measurement to your height and weight.
    Keeps the details private amongst riders yet can be confirmed to be accurate information

  • @daverostron
    @daverostron 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Showing weight only on Zwift power was my initial reaction when I heard this. Like you say, its optional. This does seem to be a massive over-reaction to something that is going to be very hard to reverse out of in my opinion. Of course, I am more than happy to be proved wrong on this. For those that are racing properly and want as accurate an experience as poss, their weight will be as accurate as it can be... Sadly, I'm sure they will be the people most affected by this change. Great video. Sorry I couldn't persuade you that this isn't going to be detrimental to the overall racing experience... I do hope I am wrong though

  • @craiggillespie9181
    @craiggillespie9181 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    When this kicks in, I think a ‘for science’ video to see if you can podium an A race?

    • @YeNZeC
      @YeNZeC 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      50 kilo 5'5 as a 6'6 100kilo tank.

  • @jamieb2865
    @jamieb2865 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    At the end of the day they are a business. Anything that effects revenue is going to be addressed. Cheaters will always cheat, but lost profits from people leaving due to harassment can be fixed. It's a game, so we gotta lower the hoop until everyone wins.

  • @SherpaDave
    @SherpaDave 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good video. I like the “Mark at home” view as a change from the “Mark in garage” view. What lense are you using there?
    There is a misnomer that a significant number of people are changing weight in Zwift in order to compete. That makes no sense and only a fool would pop into Zwift and change their weight ahead of a race... then change it back after... what you’d do if you really wanted to cheat is put a low weight in from the get go... it’s not like any of the cheaters are saying “I know I’ll be honest about my weight except Sunday night when I do the Crit.”... in reality they are going to plug in the low weight and leave it... in which case nobody would know.... unless it’s you... then we will know.
    So in reality the change won’t make any difference at all except that people who care won’t be able to stalk Zwiftpower.
    But what ARE Zwift doing (via WTRL)? In a WTRL race all riders sign up to say if asked they have to provide proof of weight with a certain amount of time (24hours). No idea if WTRL have done that yet but they have the option.
    Public height and weight didn’t fix Zwift cheating and it going away won’t cause significant turmoil in race results.

  • @garrytwiss4584
    @garrytwiss4584 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really cool way to look at zwiftpower. An interesting experiment would be to throw yourself into a flat B race and see how you get in, then maybe do the same in A. How much does your weight matter in crit style races that are flat by nature 👍🏼

  • @cyclingandchilli286
    @cyclingandchilli286 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Zwift are pretty upfront that the aim of the platform is "fun is fast"; they have power-ups, very generous drafting and reduce the penalty for lighter riders on the flat. I had a lot of fun racing in Zwift initially, but after a while it became too meaningless and I focussed more on trying to beat my previous efforts. It was also nice to do longer group rides with some in game chat.
    I've spent a few months on a different platform and have been checking my weight on a nearly daily basis, which I don't do for real life riding. So I can see why Zwift might want to reduce or remove that focus. (Fortunately that has helped me focus on the types of food I eat and has been quite beneficial.)

  • @Tommy31416
    @Tommy31416 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video Mark 😄 Zwift need to add wind into to the game - it would counterbalance the massive advantages of being lightweight, plus finally races would have echelons on certain parts of worlds, adding more tactical aspects to racing. Zwift itself encourages unhealthy perspectives on weight - this decision by them is token gesture virtue signalling at best.

  • @knutbk
    @knutbk 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It doesn't appear it's fully removed for those looking to do their cheater check post-race. Just do the reverse maths on w/kg with avg power from ZP.

  • @BillyVerden
    @BillyVerden 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    While I understand the reasoning behind the changes in not displaying height and weight.. I hope they are able to determine when someone changes their weight significantly for race advantage.. I also do agree with you that Zwift Power should still show height and weight.. if I were Zwift.. I'd just make everyone the same height and weight.. no advantage/disadvantage whatsoever.. lol. btw.. I still like your videos so I'm still a subscriber.. 😁

    • @almac8524
      @almac8524 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      But that would be hugely advantageous to the heavier riders?

    • @BillyVerden
      @BillyVerden 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@almac8524 Yeah.. it would.. especially for me .. lol.. not that I actually ever race.. 😁

  • @joewainer
    @joewainer 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I realize I’m late to comment, but I just realized that Zwift wants to protect weight doping! I think they actually attract a lot more subscribers if they make it clear that the subscribers are free to enter ridiculously low weights to increase their watts/kg. I think a lot of riders like to portray themselves in Watopia as being able to sustain 5 watts/kg for 20 minutes with ease. It’s as easy as simply entering their weight as 30 kgs and once done, nothing to disturb the fantasy that they are a world class cyclist in Watopia.

  • @blackcyclist
    @blackcyclist 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I can't see how this matters to people who just want to ride and aren't interested in racing. It's a games, if you cheat you're only cheating yourself

  • @lukamalic486
    @lukamalic486 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    People being dishonest , you serious Mark , no , Zwift is like any organisation its about reacting to an issue , it has no interest in its resolution its all about we tried and we have brought it to the attention of all concerned , as a 2 year zwift user lvl 50 I have lost interest in zwift , but zwift have got all that data as well , you know where I'm going with this , its like a casino , the casino just wants you in the house , business 101 .

  • @PauloBurgio
    @PauloBurgio 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Im in Cat B and regularly finish in the top 10. I’ve even won a few races. However, i stay in my lane. I stay away from races with long climbs. I’m 82kg and 6ft and those stats don’t make me a climber in any dimension.
    I want my FTP to be correct and I want my gains to cross over into the real world so I don’t lie about my weight. I’ve found though that on the flatter routes I can keep up quite comfortably and weight has less effect. You obviously can’t be super heavy but if you are 12 to 13 stone like me you are doing ok.
    In fact I do so well on the flatter routes with the short punchy climbs that I haven’t even noticed anything fishy from anyone I’ve raced.
    For a 45 minute race my highest average watts per kg output is 3.7. Regardless what others are doing around me I know I need to get to 4.0 or higher to get into the Cat A’s. Again I would be doing flat routes. There will always be cheats but if you really are 50kgs and a great climber you will do just fine on hilly routes. If you are a bit heavier like me there’s still room for some glory.

  • @d818581dd
    @d818581dd 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Professional cyclists don't compete in weight categories. The sole metric is how fast you can go over a certain period of time. So I personally don't see the relevance of weight. If your faster then someone, your faster then them, weight should be irrelevant.

    • @vainbow4632
      @vainbow4632 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Ah yes, because physics don't apply to cyclists in real life

  • @furrybum
    @furrybum 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Have seen a bit of piss taking about weight on group rides before and it’s seemed to be directed at the smaller riders. Hard to know whether it was open chat based banter between people that actually know each other or people singling people out. Can’t say I’d ever think to look at anyone else’s weight or height (particularly during a ride) myself.

  • @wazzerbaby
    @wazzerbaby 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Clarification on the “disordered eating” point.
    Some events have introduced videos showing height and weight measures as a way of ensuring the validity of the data entered for the race.
    Until quite recently, the video could be taken up to 12 hours prior to the race. This has recently been altered to 2 hours prior. This is out of the concern that some racers were following highly restricted diets in the days leading up to the weigh-in to secure an extra kg or two of loss for the event. There would then be a subsequent risk of excessive eating following the weigh-in video to try and recover some energy stores ahead of the race. Thus people were following a disordered diet to try and game the weight position.
    Changing to 2 hours ahead was thought to avoid this, although I have seen some claiming that they will still reduce intake and then binge immediately after the video.
    Like you, I have reservations about the impact but hope that the systems they will put in place to monitor strange weight changes will be enough to keep the majority of users honest.
    Missing you in ZRL races 🥲

  • @spshannon67
    @spshannon67 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Unless IRL there will always be a means to cheat (and even IRL). Just yesterday I was able to stick with a few riders only to be blown away in the final sprint. Did they cheat? One had a weight ~20Kg lighter than me (I am 78Kg, admittedly low for someone that is 6'4" but I have always been in the 71-73Kg range). At the end of the day I use Zwift to stay in cycling shape throughout the year and (mostly) compare myself on my times against myself.
    As for the pros and cons of this change. As you mention Zwift has a large component of a social media platform. I feel as you stated if it helps one it is good. At times I hide the chat in game as there are a few that make the experience poor due to enjoying trolling to get reactions out of other riders. I am just grateful that my teen years were not in the social media age. Getting beaten up on the schoolyard was far better for my overall mental health, sadly.

  • @noggintube
    @noggintube 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Bit torn on this issue. For the main game, where people are simply enjoying the game to motivate good exercise I have no issues with this, because cheating in that respect doesn't impact others. However for racing, parameters that directly affect performance should be visible to deter cheating as that's directly affecting other people's experience of the game.

  • @stuartevans6807
    @stuartevans6807 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hopefully they will keep the w/kg as i look at getting the highest position with the lowest wkg i.e drafting and pacing. Dont think zwift minds cheaters that much as they still let A riders into D races. The only abuse i have seen is aimed at people suddenly loosing 10kg when they upgrade category. Or loosing weight on a hilly race and putting it on for a flat one.

  • @Chrysalysalise
    @Chrysalysalise 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I race on Zwift at 112kg. I'm D grade looking to rise to C. During some of the races with a lot of UP I occasionally use the comment "If I'm ahead of you, maybe cycling isn't for you' It is intended as a motivational statement. I'd hate to think I triggered this change (sorry)...

  • @ronsterg3017
    @ronsterg3017 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This really only matters if you have an ego issue or race. For most, do not care and ride with my data so that I get proper results. I do not race seriously, so this really does not matter to me. What it will do is end serious racing on Zwift, obviously they feel that having less serious competition is not important.

  • @madiantin
    @madiantin 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Not sure my opinion has a lot of weight as I don't have a chance of ever competing even in the D category. However, hiding the weight/height is a bad idea for those competing. I can see the abuse really going through the roof with that data hidden. Pretty bad move on Zwift's part. But then, they have history of bad moves, don't they? They have a business agenda that does not jive at all with what the user wants. For example they resisted racing and multiple worlds for the longest time until finally the pressure became too intense and they caved. Zwift is a pretty messed up company with a messed up management style. This decision of theirs is just another eye rolling "of course they did" moment.
    Edit: Re socks: No socks on zwift. Irl very very short.

  • @shaunh4108
    @shaunh4108 ปีที่แล้ว

    I think the bigger question is, why the hell do we care about any ones opinion when it comes from random strangers online? If your on Zwift or any other fitness app, focus on creating a better you and don't worry about these haters. If they have enough time to bother insulting strangers, their lives must be empty.

  • @etiennegaillard5896
    @etiennegaillard5896 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I do think the kind of eating disorder zwift triggers is people willing to match the average weight showing in zwift... hence developing eating disorders based on a fantasy much lower that reality norm. The problem is zwift authorized weight to be badly represented at a very large scale - not to mention all a avatars look like you weight-distribution wise... 🙂
    ... and I guess you can agree you do not look like the norm of a 100kg guy your size (I do think zwift should introduce more body types !!).

  • @fcz
    @fcz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Its just a game. On the road is where it counts. I'm a 90kg sprinter and got beaten by an 8 year old on zwift lol. He wouldnt last to the end of the street on the road. So don't sweat it

  • @cyclingboss469
    @cyclingboss469 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I don't want to down play weight and or eating disorders as they are a serious issue however I don't see this going well. Everyone will be an A+ racer by fall/winter season.

  • @James-zu1ij
    @James-zu1ij 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I think those who want to be categorized as A, B or C should go to a bike shop pay a couple of £ and get weighed and measured...simple. All others can enter open category races where anything goes. AI can ban those who stray from a physiologically impossible power curve deviation.

  • @obikedog
    @obikedog 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    From one who has cycled a lot because he enjoys going places - it has always been difficult for me to articulate how very distasteful the idea of indoor training, of any kind, outside the sometimes-necessity of fitness testing is to me. That said, I understand the game has helped a lot of people who otherwise think riding outside is too unsafe or uncomfortable to get in shape. To me however, it seems clear Zwift is seeking to eliminate their biggest short-coming by hiding the evidence. So yeah - no reason for me to sign up anytime soon. Cheaters, like tweakers suck and now Zwift rather than working to reduce cheating is actively enabling it. So effectively Zwift has painted a target on their back for their next competitor if they don't work harder to satisfy their rather large, paying customer base.

  • @XX-is7ps
    @XX-is7ps 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It is either disingenuous or ignorant on Zwift’s part to try and blame an obsession with weight on their users bullying each other. It is a problem that Zwift have created and they should take responsibility for. What I mean is that they have created a physics model in which your w/KH determines your performance in the game *even on the flat*. They have made it everything. That’s not how it works in the real world and is laziness and incompetence in their part. It’s the core of their game engine and it’s simply wrong. In the real world total watts and aerodynamic drag matter far more than weight on the flats, but Zwift doesn’t model this. When I used Sufferfest the goal was always increasing power (healthy) but since starting to use Zwift more I’ve been forced to focus on losing weight to increase my w/kg metric. They need to stop blaming users and fix the massive flaw in their game engine that drives this weight obsession for those using the platform. Then, just as in the real world, lightweight climbers could compete in the hills and heavyweights could compete in TTs, sprints and flat races.

  • @jamonisa
    @jamonisa 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What is stopping a rider setting up a new zwift profile and strava account and just putting in a lower rider weight ? How are they going to police that ?

    • @bitminerbob6731
      @bitminerbob6731 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      They can't. But that new rider account couldn't do any major races, where a video of your weigh-in is required etc. You'd at least need an accomplice to make the video for you, pretending to be you in the video, if you are weight doping like that. Seems like a lot of effort lol.

  • @follystone
    @follystone 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Zwift have previously stated that >80% of their regular users, only use the platform to train, they never race. For this majority of users, making weight & height private will have no adverse consequence. For those who do race, ZADA will still be able to interrogate the private data & to adjudicate,. Almost certainly, there are some additional behind the scenes changes to improve the algorithms ZADA use to identify suspicious behaviours. Some Zwift racing leagues go so far as to insist racers make publicly available videos 2 hours before each race of them weighing themselves. That seems to me, to be an incredibly intrusive requirement & one that could easily lead to abuse or trigger disordered behaviour. To crack down on those over-zealous leagues, I guess Zwift first had to put their own house in order, by making the data private.

  • @ultrastoat3298
    @ultrastoat3298 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Is the watts per kg not public per race. wouldn't you be able to see that suddenly their W/kg jumped when they changed weights.

  • @The_G
    @The_G 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I can't believe you belittled sock colour, probably have that choice taken away now as well. Just don't mention sock length!! 😝

  • @Sunnydaypicnic
    @Sunnydaypicnic ปีที่แล้ว

    I am trying to understand how women with QOM’s average watts for the ride can be as low as 75w?

  • @ChrisP978
    @ChrisP978 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    l looked at the data from one of the last Zwift group rides and the guy that finished 1st had set his weight to 30kg down from 70kg. Zwiftpower made it obvious that they had been switching it back and forth. It was just a group ride not a race so I didn't care, had it can a race I would have reported him, although now you won't be able to tell. I think everyone should just set their weight to 30kg until Zwift comes to their senses.

  • @Jesse-1993
    @Jesse-1993 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I don't care that much about cheating on zwift. I will never be the best on zwift anyway, so why care about those guys who feel the urge to cheat to be better than me? There's always that group of elite riders that are legit better than me and there will be some guys who are only better because they're cheating, maybe it's just a way to motivate myself to improve and I won't lose any pleasure racing at zwift because of this. Correct me if I'm wrong but it thought there where some rules when you get in the A Cat regarding proving evidence for your weight and height towards Zwift or the ZRL without it being made public.

  • @beddoerocks7509
    @beddoerocks7509 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    if Zwift tackle the cheating then who cares! I dont care about other riders weight and I dont think anyone else really does. what we do care about is zwift finding a way to tackle the weight dopers.

  • @davidb5201
    @davidb5201 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Don’t care. It’s like getting hung up about someone in the wrong category. It doesn’t matter. This is a tool to have some fun and get better. You are racing yourself. In a race you will find a few people to bunch with and sprint against in the end. If you really care about racing then you’re gonna have to do it IRL.

  • @lukemarlow2
    @lukemarlow2 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    My issue is the only way someone would even look at people’s weight on a virtual platform is in a competitive scenario like racing. Now in races aren’t they still going to keep power average and WKG as categorisation at the end of each race? Therefore it’s dead easy to work out the riders weight anyway using simple maths and you can still cheat regardless whether weight is shown or not. So for me not much has changed? Or am I completely missing the point? 🤷🏻‍♂️

  • @oayysz8909
    @oayysz8909 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    If a complaint was easy to make and that person would be warned or suspended that would be more practical i don't really think they are many People have nothing else better to do then harass others because of weight, It doesn't justify giving cheater's an even more advantage by adjusting weight lol this is ridiculous

  • @gamingmidget
    @gamingmidget 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    they need to have anti sandbagging on all races and you can only change your weight within a certain range over a 4 week period

  • @irondistance4313
    @irondistance4313 ปีที่แล้ว

    The swift system is going to be broken until the make people use a rocker plate supporting the entire bike and rider. I bet 90 percent of zwift riders are 5 to 10 pounds heavier, or more’ real life. Thanks mark it is a good discussion😊

  • @georgepepper5993
    @georgepepper5993 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    It could be related to ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. Investors are increasingly applying these non-financial factors as part of their analysis process to identify material risks and growth opportunities.
    Which determines if a company is considered to be worthy of investing in?

  • @michaelchandler9262
    @michaelchandler9262 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It's just a game. If you want real competition get outside on the road with a real rider.

  • @jbiasutti
    @jbiasutti 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just because someone might be carrying an extra cement bag in real life does not mean they should continue to carry the spare tire online.
    If a guy is fifty kilos overweight but is still pushing the same number of watts as a lighter person what is the justification that he or she be penalized.
    There is pretty good justification to have standard weight races as a category, it would eliminate weight cheating, but would just push those people who want to cheat to calibration cheating...

  • @iancarson8614
    @iancarson8614 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    on another note, i dont know of anyone who actually cares about zwift weight dopers. its only cartoon cycling.

    • @mfcycles7551
      @mfcycles7551 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It’s a computer game isn’t it. 🤷🏻‍♂️

  • @John-dh1gh
    @John-dh1gh 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Those weight per kg seem a poor stat. The wind resistance on a level surface isn't much for additional weight, relative to say on a gradient surface where weight will require more watts. Then there is aerodynamic posture which isn't in the metrics but plays a huge element.
    Its just a interactive game, treat it as such. The whole objective is fitness not a pro cycling tour.

  • @vettalink6817
    @vettalink6817 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I can only guess that zwift will be monitoring height and weight.

  • @stefan8521
    @stefan8521 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The eating disorder issue may not be related to the online abuse - but rather to the fact that people could directly see that they are being beaten by people who weigh less, and that information was quantifiable in a way it isn’t in real life. When a lighter rider overtakes me up a hill in real life all I can tell is he / she looks slimmer than me - I can’t click on them to see there’s a 5.5kg differential. Perhaps having that information readily available is unhealthy for the personality type who is prone to adopting unhealthy eating habits as there will always be a quantifiable lighter competitor for them to chase.

  • @ibnchukkara
    @ibnchukkara 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I am a 1972 born. Maybe belonging to that generation just makes me not understand the "issue". I simply am honest to myself, want to see my personal progression. I don´t care if others "tune" their weight and height. I am a really lousy "B" still enjoy an occasional race. Always come in the last 25%.
    Still think it is not right to simply hide that data. Maybe they should tell us how THEY (Zwift) then will be observing the data, if they don´t let the community do it. If they have some fancy algorithm down the pipeline to pick out the occasional cheater that would build up trust and confidence that all is fair.

  • @ghhufgtyhj204
    @ghhufgtyhj204 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Anyways there should be a body scanning function to see if your weight number is somewhat accurate

  • @dazza9360
    @dazza9360 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Zwift height & weight statement = PC gone wrong!!!!

  • @jeffh7175
    @jeffh7175 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    ZWIFT only cares about subscription money. They could care less about fairness in racing.

  • @canadahodl5941
    @canadahodl5941 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Is everyone on zwift 50 kg and avg 4.7 w/kg?

  • @smefour
    @smefour ปีที่แล้ว

    Radical thought, could they just ditch ranking and leader boards, people can see their own efforts but not compared to others at least officially in the game?

  • @roadbikeman
    @roadbikeman 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Whose up for building a chrome add in to display the weight on Zwift power? How it was and has always been

  • @mathewrose2951
    @mathewrose2951 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I think that there should be different levels of accountability to verify weight and height for different tiers of races. I don't really have an issue with the fact that my 30 kilo son (age 9) pranked me by pairing to my crank-based power meter instead of the trainer he was on so he went flying up the road ahead of me at 10+ w/kg for 20 minutes while we were riding together until the app itself flagged it and slowed him down. If that were in a competitive race and not a group ride, however, that would ruin the fun for everyone; as it stands, however, I think that data should be hidden with the exception of A races. I never race, but I'd hop on a scale and upload the proof if that were the set price of admission, as it were, to play in the racing sandbox.

  • @ninodecaro9099
    @ninodecaro9099 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have no doubt in my mind that half of the people in Cat A and B are weight doping - I consistently see people getting 5 watts/kg or higher the whole race.

  • @MrEsPlace
    @MrEsPlace 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    It's the internet + competition, there will ALWAYS be whiners for any reason or excuse they can find. I’m surprised there's not someone with a drill attached to their pedal gears that's just pressing a button to really fast, on zwift.

  • @Mike-Dodd
    @Mike-Dodd 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I think this may make leagues more popular, hear me out.
    Those concerned about cheating in the run of the mill Zwift races will move to a league were weights are randomly checked and verified (I. E. Wtrl) I really only race in these events anymore.

    • @Mike-Dodd
      @Mike-Dodd 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@the_fast_life I get up at 0400 am to race so I can have some consistency. But I also workout at that time too. #humblebrag 🤪

  • @Conssumed
    @Conssumed 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You’re overthinking it. They don’t want to get into hot water over a suicide caused by cyber bullying over weight shaming.. pretty simple.

  • @showzeki
    @showzeki 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'd like to see races by weight class like indoor rowing.
    It isn't real cycling at the end of the day why not have it as a whole new discipline in itself

  • @1980TheVortex
    @1980TheVortex 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I am not getting it how this could be subject to harassment to display these details. They are simply overreacting to any actions leading to so called bullying :)I am also tall and heavy (190cm-106 kilo) so my doubts are similar to yours Mark. I want to be flagged as a tall guy who is doing his best to stay on the wheel of faster rider and want other to know that I have to try much harder to maintain even 80% of the uphill speed of 60- 70 kilo riders. Justification for this change is a nonsense, it makes me laugh when they say it is coz of our mental wellness...and bla bla bla.

  • @laggmonkei
    @laggmonkei 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Sounds like people are "triggering" on others being better than them and somehow others weight triggers them into unhealthy behaviours. Not sure how zwift can actually do something about that, personal responsibility and all that. It always gets strange when they mix stuff in with harassment without proving this being a widespread issue.
    Maybe create a new category of people that takes it seriously and want weights/height but then also accepts a no tolerance banning process if any harassment is found?

  • @swites
    @swites 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Pretty easy to see. We all know lots of guys who are weapons on zwift but pretty average in real life. But I can't believe all the big meanies who would be annoyed at me for dropping my weight 20kgs. I'm such a victim! Poor me for being a cheat! I'm going off to cry now.

  • @TBallS46
    @TBallS46 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm a heavy weight 97-99kg rider. I don't think there are that many zwift cheaters on zwift. If there were I wouldn't be winning races. I don't think anyone will care in a few weeks.

    • @TBallS46
      @TBallS46 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Also can I put a positive spin on this. I've used indoor training over the last 18 months. I've gone from being 120kg to currently 98kg. The main motivation to cycle to lose weight in a healthy way, but the competitive nature of zwift has helped me to continue losing weight. I have a goal weight of 75-80kg and I don't think I'll go past that, I'm pretty tall.

    • @robertblockley4129
      @robertblockley4129 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I’m Superheavyweight 116kg, I’m normally heaviest in any race so don’t expect to be competitive. I won’t cheat to get a pretend boost up the leader board as I’m only interested in my own numbers. Been on Zwift since Nov and loving it👍

  • @frankdrennan
    @frankdrennan 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is a terrible decision. Give users the option of displaying or hiding weight and height. Zwift is copping out. It's clear they have little motivation to deal with cheating and this just confirms it. Cheats only cheat themselves and like others, my competition is me. But it does suck to race against so many world class athletes. Who knew there was so much untapped talent hiding in the shadows?

  • @bryngriffith
    @bryngriffith 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    They are moving away from w/kg and for next year it will be a more points based system. More points for beating better riders, lose points vs worse riders etc. So depending where you are the the ranking is what cat you will be in.

    • @savegan4005
      @savegan4005 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      where did u find this info Bryn

    • @Conssumed
      @Conssumed 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      That’s actually a really good idea if it works properly.

    • @bryngriffith
      @bryngriffith 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@savegan4005 I’ve had meetings with people high up in Zwift

    • @SleazyBadger
      @SleazyBadger 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Whilst this is generally what all of the community wish to see, I don't think there's been an official statement on it? (I've only been on a few months so may have missed it)

  • @stevelangers3716
    @stevelangers3716 ปีที่แล้ว

    Let them talk, harrasment or not, i don't care.
    They cheat to themselves with false height and or weight informations
    I drive for fun, and the most important, i ride for myself . Btw i am 185 cm tall with 88kg, and 88 thx to zwift (92 before)
    I got used to it that cheating is always present.
    I ride D Groups (1-2,5 w/kg) and after the race the first five have a 3 to 3,7 w/kg ratio.
    Again, keep riding and do it for yourself.

  • @stevetuck9120
    @stevetuck9120 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I would have thought that the race organisers will be able to see the height and weight to DQ obvious cheating but it will not be public.

  • @BLX187
    @BLX187 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    A later version of the bike should weight users. will end all dramas

  • @mental9mikey
    @mental9mikey 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    If harassment is the key issue and is affecting people’s well-being, the action needed is to create a proper reporting and flagging system, with punishment for the offenders doing the initial harassment. Support the victims and remove the perpetrators, surely?

  • @barefootdogwalker1402
    @barefootdogwalker1402 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I think this will lead to more cheating. Yesterday I did a zwift race, I race in the D cat because I'm old and fat 57 and 88kg. In the race there was 9, I finished 7th in the race but on zwift power when the true results came out 7 of the rider were DQ so I finished 2nd so hiding peoples weight will lead to more cheating.

  • @allhaillofty1
    @allhaillofty1 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I would of thought Zwift would implement some kind of security measure. i.e looking over the riders zwift history, if they see significant changes in weight, height etc over a short period of time then the software should trigger an error message or something to that effect. then the account is suspended until it's properly investigated. Even if the rider has multiple accounts (1 for racing (doping account) and their "Normal one") the more you talk about the subject the more questions it creates.
    Also, Zwift must have some obligation to set up their system in a way that can report abuse or indeed provide support for those with eating issues? i don't know... i'm just a guy with a keyboard and an idea :)

  • @illuminatustm
    @illuminatustm 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    There are a lot of pros/cons and it really shines through in your video. Zwift has been stuck between a rock and a hard place on this and there is no perfect solution - so they just went with the option that results in fewer complaints to their support staff 🤷🏻‍♂️