Orangetheory Fitness Rolling Out Apple Watch Support in Early 2020

[ftaok]

...but the Apple Watch has workout functionality that records your whole workout. Why not just work together with what's already built in rather than this proprietary solution? This $129 accessory is going to be somewhat useless if someone moves, or decides to switch gyms.

You answered your own question. OT is a gym. For the most part, gyms are a commodity that people can price shop. Gyms need to provide something that differentiates themselves from their competitors. If folks see value in this $130 accessory, that's a win for OT. If this device keeps people from switching to another gym, that's another win.

 

[Khalanad75]

As much as I don't want to shell out more money since I just joined 4 months ago and got the OT Burn, not having to strap that on in addition to my watch everyday will be worth it.

I go 6 days a week and the transformation in my health is already very apparent. Now if I could just get my eating corrected, i'd be dropping weight like mad while building my muscle as well.

 

[bodonnell202]

Or just provide equipment compatible with GymKit, which is what Apple designed for this purpose rather than some expensive third party accessory?

That's not really how Orangetheory works. The key is getting your heart rate to be transmitted via Ant+ so it can be displayed on their in studio system. Apple Watch doesn't have Ant+

 

[Stromos]

And Peloton just released a free update so you can use your Apple Watch but this place wants you to spend $129

Once again there are multiple stations. If you are doing push-ups how exactly is your heart rate being recorded?

if you have never been to OrangeTheory no need to comment folks.
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Currently, OT arm/chest/wrist monitors (which you pay for separately) take your heart rate, send it to their servers, process it and display your stats on the in-studio TV and to the ios app.

With the new upcoming dongle, it looks like they are moving away from their proprietary monitors to Apple Watch for capturing data (treadmill, rowing and TRX strap exercises) but they still want the dongle to send the Apple Watch data to their servers for processing.

Now, they could have done the following:
1. Integrate Apple Watch data to their ios app and do the processing on their servers. (No dongle required. Apple Watch captures all the data OT needs to display the stats in their format).
2. If at all they cannot consume Apple Watch data in the given format for some reason, they can install dongles to their equipment which can convert Apple Watch data into a format they need and process it.
3. Instead, they decided to put the dongle burden on the user/consumer (just like OT forced their users to buy their OT-specific monitors). That way, the consumer is paying for it instead of OT paying for their equipment upgrade/maintenance.

You made a lot of assumptions. First assumption you can real-time process the workout data. This means you have to have a strong cellular connection to Apple then the data has to go to OT servers then display the data. You just added new requirements and a lot of latency. Chances are its no longer real-time.

You openly admitted you have never been to an OrangeTheory the workout isn’t always using equipment so unless you're saying they should put monitors in the floor for doing push-ups it still won’t work.

Equipment wise yes they do what’s easier to replace. Cost of a dongle or a commercial rower/treadmill? Rather have solid equipment.

 

[JamesBrock]

Selfloops Group Fitness has had Apple Watch support for two years and it does not require any additional accessory or device to work with the Group Fitness service.
See https://www.selfloops.com/products/groupfitness.html
and

Everyone in this video is still wearing a separate heart rate monitor on their chest. This new OT Link utilizes the Apple Watch hear rate monitor to share info.

 

[macjonny1]

As someone who has done orange theory I think this is crazy. Every piece of hardware they have sold me has had issue by me or my workout partners. I get much better results and analysis from my Apple Watch and the FITIV Pulse app.

 

[xxray]

Ok, what is the point of this if the Apple Watch is already measuring all of the things you’re doing and is where you keep track of all those stats?

 

[Stromos]

As someone who has done orange theory I think this is crazy. Every piece of hardware they have sold me has had issue by me or my workout partners. I get much better results and analysis from my Apple Watch and the FITIV Pulse app.

And so instead of another device that won't work well they are allowing you to sync your Apple Watch to the screens.... so what is your complaint?
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Ok, what is the point of this if the Apple Watch is already measuring all of the things you’re doing and is where you keep track of all those stats?

Sign up for a free session and find out? The point is my trainer isn't looking at my Apple Watch while I work out......

 

[bodonnell202]

Ok, what is the point of this if the Apple Watch is already measuring all of the things you’re doing and is where you keep track of all those stats?

You have clearly never been to an Orangetheory. The point is there is currently no way to transmit your heart rate from your Apple Watch to the Orangetheory server and display it on the in studio monitor.

 

[iAssimilated]

if you have never been to OrangeTheory no need to comment folks.

+1

 

[BornAgainMac]

My gym still uses the old iPod connector.

 

[cylack]

The requirement to purchase this $129 device is a non-starter for me. I use an app callled Zones to track my OTF workouts on my Apple Watch. The only downside is that my Apple watch isn't syncing with OTF's on screen monitors, but I don't care about that. Seems like this $129 device is just a money grab because if people were to use the Apple Watch without this add on, and I'm sure OTF has the technical know how to sync Apple Watch without this $129 device, OTF would be losing out on a nice chunk of change they currently enjoy when people buy their heart rate monitors.

 

[macjonny1]

And so instead of another device that won't work well they are allowing you to sync your Apple Watch to the screens.... so what is your complaint?
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Sign up for a free session and find out? The point is my trainer isn't looking at my Apple Watch while I work out......

the $129 charge for their dongle to sync to the screens. Like pretty much everyone else that thinks a $129 dongle is charging too much. Glad you are happy tho fanboi

 

[Stromos]

the $129 charge for their dongle to sync to the screens. Like pretty much everyone else that thinks a $129 dongle is charging too much. Glad you are happy tho fanboi

Its amazing people on here have a 1400 dollar phone and a 500 dollar watch but spending 129 one time for a fitness device is the end of world. I agree 100% there is a huge markup on the sync device. We own Apple devices. It's not a secret Apple are the kings of markup. They would be stupid not to go for a piece themselves you know they are a business. If its too much for you, wait for a sale or try to win one in a raffle. I have won two heart rate monitors over the last couple years.

I lost over 50 pounds this year and gained a lot of muscle eating right and going to OrangeTheory regularly. Yes I am a fan. I have gone to many gyms and had a couple personal trainers it was always poor results or a lot more money for less workout time. It works for me.

It's amazing over four years how many times I heard how crappy the monitors people wear are and how much more accurate the Apple Watch is. So OrangeTheory spends a year in R&D figuring out a way to realtime access the data. This wasn't on OrangeTheory it was on Apple. Apple could easily support ANT but they don't. Likely this addon is just adding ANT support and can be used outside of class just like the other products OrangeTheroy has put out. That aside, OrangeTheory puts together a device people asked for and people lose their minds saying it should be free.

Entitlement right?

 

[macjonny1]

Its amazing people on here have a 1400 dollar phone and a 500 dollar watch but spending 129 one time for a fitness device is the end of world. I agree 100% there is a huge markup on the sync device. We own Apple devices. It's not a secret Apple are the kings of markup. They would be stupid not to go for a piece themselves you know they are a business. If its too much for you, wait for a sale or try to win one in a raffle. I have won two heart rate monitors over the last couple years.

I lost over 50 pounds this year and gained a lot of muscle eating right and going to OrangeTheory regularly. Yes I am a fan. I have gone to many gyms and had a couple personal trainers it was always poor results or a lot more money for less workout time. It works for me.

It's amazing over four years how many times I heard how crappy the monitors people wear are and how much more accurate the Apple Watch is. So OrangeTheory spends a year in R&D figuring out a way to realtime access the data. This wasn't on OrangeTheory it was on Apple. Apple could easily support ANT but they don't. Likely this addon is just adding ANT support and can be used outside of class just like the other products OrangeTheroy has put out. That aside, OrangeTheory puts together a device people asked for and people lose their minds saying it should be free.

Entitlement right?

yes it’s a good workout but you have to admit they are going for a big money grab. I had to stop OTF recently as it was getting boring for me after a few years but I don’t recall any of the earlier wrist, armband, or chest straps ever costing anywhere near that much and arguably there’s a lot more going on with an actual monitor than that dongle. Comparing it to an iPhone that has 1000x the functionality for me doesn’t make much sense. It’s just a huge up charge even $50 would be a lot for a dongle it’s just being greedy. Anyway you are right the other option is just Not to buy it and use both the watch and their monitor which I did.

 

[Stromos]

yes it’s a good workout but you have to admit they are going for a big money grab. I had to stop OTF recently as it was getting boring for me after a few years but I don’t recall any of the earlier wrist, armband, or chest straps ever costing anywhere near that much and arguably there’s a lot more going on with an actual monitor than that dongle. Comparing it to an iPhone that has 1000x the functionality for me doesn’t make much sense. It’s just a huge up charge even $50 would be a lot for a dongle it’s just being greedy. Anyway you are right the other option is just Not to buy it and use both the watch and their monitor which I did.

I agree 100% if I had one of the new monitors I wouldn't upgrade. I held onto my chest monitor because it was by far the most accurate. I got rid of the flex I won I hated it. My chest monitor isn't working nearly as well as it used to which is sad because its been solid for 4 years and the new studios don't even carry them. I wish I didn't give my other raffle chest monitor away but I gave it to a friend who signed up and got me down to founders rate for the referral bonus during the promotion. The current monitor is $119 so I am holding off and getting the watch one.

 

[dewalt]

My opinion of the "stats" at OTF - it's just graphing your heartrate. It's not anymore complicated than that. Splat points are simply minutes in the red zone (it's been awhile so my colors may be off). It's a good workout, but I didnt get much value out of the stats. They make it seem like it's more advanced. If it was able to know what station you were at, and tie that in, that could be interesting.

 

[iAssimilated]

Has anyone been able to get the OTbeat Link? If so, thoughts? My gym was taking per orders before COVID hit, but at the time I did not own an Apple Watch and since I have not heard anything about it. Now that I own a S5, I am even more curious.

 

[Khalanad75]

Hell, my gym is just barely opening back up. Next Monday is the first class.

I think with the covid storm, this got shoved hard to the back burner.

 

[bodonnell202]

Despite being technically allowed to open as of June 19th, the Orangetheories in my city have announced that they won't be re-opening until July 17th at the earliest in order to prepare for all the new health codes they need to conform to. While my studio mentioned it was coming earlier this year I don't think it's their highest priority at the moment...

 

[iAssimilated]

Just checking, thanks for the replies.

My OTF opened a couple of weeks ago, but is only offering 45 minute 3G style classes w/ 15 people to maintain social distancing. They use the other 15 minutes to clean down the gym. Before COVID they hoped we would conserve our wipes as long as possible, now though, we get one (or two in my case, I'm a sweater) wipes on every rotation.

I am glad to have OTF back, I missed it considerably!

 

[Stromos]

My studios have been open for a couple months now. I have asked about the link it’s likely pushed to Q4 sadly.

 

[Khalanad75]

Just checking, thanks for the replies.

My OTF opened a couple of weeks ago, but is only offering 45 minute 3G style classes w/ 15 people to maintain social distancing. They use the other 15 minutes to clean down the gym. Before COVID they hoped we would conserve our wipes as long as possible, now though, we get one (or two in my case, I'm a sweater) wipes on every rotation.

I am glad to have OTF back, I missed it considerably!

I'm jealous OTF is honestly the only thing I truly miss.