How to Use Power-Ups in Zwift: The Secret to Going Faster

How to Trigger Your Power-Ups

To use a power-up in Zwift, you just need to trigger it while you’re riding. If you are on a PC or Mac, hit the spacebar on your keyboard. If you’re using a tablet or phone, simply tap the power-up icon on your screen.

You can also trigger them by tapping the white circle in the Zwift Companion app on your phone or by pressing the dedicated button on your Zwift Play controllers. You’ll earn these "boosts" every time you ride through a start/finish banner, a sprint arch, or a King of the Mountain (KOM) arch.

Keep in mind that you can only hold one power-up at a time. If you’re holding a Feather and ride through an arch, you won't get a new one. Use them or lose the chance to roll for a better one!

Zwift Boosts Explained

Think of power-ups as temporary "boosts" that help you ride faster, climb easier, or hide from the wind. They aren't "cheating"—they are a core part of the game’s strategy that rewards you for paying attention to the terrain and your positioning.

In a race, these boosts can be the ultimate equalizer. If you're struggling to keep up, the right power-up at the right time acts like an extra set of lungs. It helps you stay with the pack when you’re right on your limit and about to drop.

The Power-Up Cheat Sheet

Not every power-up is useful in every situation. Here is the breakdown of what you’ll see and how to use them effectively:

The Aero Helmet (Red): This makes you more aerodynamic for 15 seconds. Use this when you are going fast (over 40 kph), especially in a sprint finish or when trying to break away from a group.
The Lightweight Feather (Orange): This reduces your body weight by about 10% for 15 seconds. This is your best friend on steep inclines. If you’re hitting a 10% grade on the Alpe du Zwift, pop the feather to keep your momentum without blowing up your heart rate.
The Draft Van (Green): This doubles the "draft" effect you get from the rider in front of you for 30 seconds. It’s perfect for when you’re struggling to stay in a fast-moving pack or want to recover while others do the work.
The Anvil (Gray): This makes you heavier for 30 seconds. It sounds counterintuitive, but it’s a weapon on descents. If you’re at the top of a hill, trigger the anvil to pull away from the group on the way down without pedaling harder.
The Burrito (Purple): This turns off the draft for everyone within a small radius of you for 10 seconds. Use this when you are at the front of a group to make it harder for people to sit on your wheel and "suck your wheel" for free speed.
The Cloak/Ghost (Blue): This makes you invisible to other riders for 10 seconds. Use this to sneak away for a long-range sprint or a surprise attack before anyone realizes you've gapped them.

Why This Matters for YOUR Training

Using power-ups correctly is the difference between winning a race and getting dropped. If your FTP is 250W and you’re racing someone with a 270W FTP, you can actually beat them by using an Aero Helmet or a Feather at the perfect moment.

It teaches you "race craft." You learn to look ahead at the elevation profile and the riders around you to decide when to spend your energy. This mental engagement makes the indoor miles fly by much faster because you're playing a game, not just staring at a wall.

Pro Tips for Your Next Ride

Try this: Save your power-up for the right terrain. If you have a Feather and you’re approaching a flat sprint, don't use it there. However, if there is another arch coming up, "burn" the feather a few seconds before the arch so you have an empty slot to receive a new, more useful power-up like the Aero.

Watch the timer. Most power-ups only last 15 to 30 seconds. If you use your Aero helmet 500 meters from the finish line, it will run out before you actually hit the tape. Wait until you are about 200–250 meters out to ensure you have the boost all the way to the finish.

Don't look for them in "Workout Mode." If you are doing a structured training plan or a specific interval session, power-ups won't appear. Zwift wants you to focus on hitting your specific wattage targets, not gaming the system with boosts during a zone 2 ride.

Quick Summary

To Activate: Hit Spacebar (PC), tap the screen (Mobile), or use the Companion App.
The Feather: Use it on the steepest part of a climb to drop 10% of your weight instantly.
The Strategy: Use the Aero for the sprint, the Anvil for the descent, and the Van to rest in the pack.
The Rule: You can only hold one at a time. If you don't use it, you won't get a new one at the next arch.