Whether it be indoor training on Zwift, local hill reps or even some off-bike exercise, it all counts and will get you towards the target. Are you up for the challenge?

Call it a fresh start, call it New Year’s Resolutions or call it turning a page, the beginning of the year is always a time when we think we ought to set some goals and work towards new heights. For many, this is the start of a wonderful fitness journey, but it can also be cumbersome with pressure and isolation. Oftentimes, it can be hard to stick to goals on your own.

That is why we are delighted to announce another year of the GCN 30 in 30 fitness challenge. The premise is simple: complete 30 minutes of exercise each day for the 30 days of January. The best bit is? GCN presenters and GCN viewers can take on the task together.

Last year, a whopping 13,000 of us completed over 135,000km and climbed over a million metres, as we took on the 30 in 30 challenge. This year, we’re back for more!

We have teamed up with indoor training platform Zwift once again to host the GCN club rides in Watopia, so make sure to check out the Zwift Companion app to discover the schedule, where you can complete your 30 minutes of exercise in the virtual world alongside the GCN presenters.

Zwift have even offered riders with a special 14-day free trial, so even if you are not yet on the platform, you can check it out for free for almost half of the challenge.

All of the usual names will be involved, from Alex Paton with his quirky chat, to Manon Lloyd on the comeback trail from injury and James ‘Hank’ Lowsley-Williams making his first return to Zwift since he completed seven FTP tests in seven days. Hank will likely need some encouragement, as will Daniel Lloyd… so get involved!

At first, 30 minutes on the indoor trainer may not sound all too difficult, but research suggests that ticking off this exercise each day can be incredibly beneficial. Not only can it reduce the risk of cancer, strokes, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but it can also reduce early death by up to 30%.

Whether it be in Watopia, outside on your bike or even some off-bike exercise such as yoga, pilates, running – or even most cyclist’s dreaded arena, the gym – every little helps towards completing the January fitness challenge.

Will you be throwing your hat in the mix this year? If so, will you be joining us on Zwift for the GCN club rides? Let us know in the comments below!