Peloton Is Dropping Apple Watch GymKit Support

[Le Big Mac]

GymKit integration synced more metrics and made the calorie calculation a lot more accurate (With GymKit it was 1 kcal ~= 1kj, which is reasonable, without it, it registers as almost 3kcal/kj for me which is crazy). You lose things like power, cadence, ftp, etc syncing to Apple Health, which was the only way to see long-term trends in power output since the Peloton app/UI/website doesn't show that.

A bit confused here. I can see all of these data in Peloton, on the Peloton app, and on the Peloton website from my past rides. I use a HRM strap, but once used apple watch with app while on a hotel Peloton and all the data were there too. As I mentioned upthread, I can export all this to Strava (and apparently could get to Apple Health through a third party).

What exactly does GymKit add to this, other than better syncing to Apple Health?

(To be clear I totally understand the *value* of seeing all these data and having access to them).

 

[suresk]

A bit confused here. I can see all of these data in Peloton, on the Peloton app, and on the Peloton website from my past rides. I use a HRM strap, but once used apple watch with app while on a hotel Peloton and all the data were there too. As I mentioned upthread, I can export all this to Strava (and apparently could get to Apple Health through a third party).

What exactly does GymKit add to this, other than better syncing to Apple Health?

(To be clear I totally understand the *value* of seeing all these data and having access to them).

That's really it. Having that data synced over is really useful because Peloton's own UIs (Apps, Website, and on the equipment itself) doesn't really show over time data - if you're working on PowerZone stuff, it is super handy to see the average output and FTP over time.

There are some other small things, like it shows more on your watch and works in real-time on the rings, but those aren't super important to me. Mostly having all the data synced over.

 

[Predestinarian]

I'm waiting for the message to pop up next month. "Things are moving! On Bike+ we're transitioning from Auto Resistance to Manual Resistance for more accurate resistance control. You WILL like the change. Starting March 27."

 

[Silverstring]

I looked at Peleton and cringed. A cycling workout is about cycling, not an instructor flexing their arms for the camera… And for that matter the instructors don’t look like serious riders.

Imagine gatekeeping cycling workouts.

I’ve never owned and/or paid for a Peloton product and/or service myself, but a “cycling workout” is…a workout that involves cycling.

If the instructors get people on the bike and moving—what’s the downside? Who cares what the instructors look like? Talk about cringey.

I’d love to know what a “serious rider” looks like to you, so I can avoid these people and their too-cool-you’re-not-real-cyclist-if-you-use-peloton-despite-distance-frequency-or-intensity-if-you’ve-looked-at-an-instructor-flexing club.

 

[ELman]

Apple needs to do a better job at promoting and supporting Gym Kit. It’s hare to find a decently price bike or treadmill that supports it.

 

[SAIRUS]

It seems GymKit didn’t…work out.

 

[btrach144]

Today, I cancelled Peloton All Access ($44/mo). And I subscribed to Fitness+ ($6.67/mo with annual). Verdict: I sweat just as much with Fitness+ for about $450 a year less. That's a fair trade for me. But honestly, it's not really about the money. It's about the business practice of promoting a service to sell a product, and then cutting it.

Followed your lead and cancelled tonight. Only way to send a message is with our money.

 

[avro707]

Imagine gatekeeping cycling workouts.

I’ve never owned and/or paid for a Peloton product and/or service myself, but a “cycling workout” is…a workout that involves cycling.

If the instructors get people on the bike and moving—what’s the downside? Who cares what the instructors look like? Talk about cringey.

I’d love to know what a “serious rider” looks like to you, so I can avoid these people and their too-cool-you’re-not-real-cyclist-if-you-use-peloton-despite-distance-frequency-or-intensity-if-you’ve-looked-at-an-instructor-flexing club.

Point was, you could probably get just as much benefit with workouts on other devices without being locked into one particular system. You can swap over to whatever other apps you might want.

Maybe I upset Peleton instructors or business development people there but so be it.

 

[rxp]

Just buy an indoor trainer or Keiser spin bike and add a power meter pedal. Job done, no monthly fees & way better equipment

 

[mdatwood]

Me also with that question.

And is it any better than a Wahoo Kickr Bike I’m using with a HR monitor, Garmin Edge 1030 and Zwift, Fulgaz and PerfPro Studio? Then tracking all that in TrainingPeaks.

I looked at Peleton and cringed. A cycling workout is about cycling, not an instructor flexing their arms for the camera… And for that matter the instructors don’t look like serious riders.

You seem mad at people working out not in your preferred way. The Peloton community has gotten a ton of people to start working out and keep them working out, which is a great thing. Cringe is looking down on people who found a way of working that works for them. Attitudes like yours is what keeps people from ever starting.

 

[AndiG]

I didn't have to pay an extra fee for the times I've used GymKit on a machine.

When other companies/manufacturers have to pay it? I don't care.

Peloton could've gotten a bike out of me, and a monthly subscription fee...which would've more than covered the per-capita licensing fee they pay/paid to Apple.

Now they'll get nothing. Decisions like that are why are on the cusp of going out of business.

Manufacturers have to pay. And this is also ghe reason why can not share your heartrate monitor with aonther device, like a cycling computer. Apple doesn‘t want you to.

About your importance for Peloton. I think that Peloton has the data, so it seems like the data tells Peloton to forget about the effort that is necessary to integrate GymKit in their hardware - since Gymkit requires extra hardware just to satisfy Apple without any technical reason. The technology behind is standard.

 

[MichaelQ]

Does this mean that Pelaton are now free to sell your health data to whoever wants it?

Not exactly a plan that worked out well for Fitbit long term.

 

[hellosil]

I was considering a Peloton bike, but not anymore because of this move.

 

[bellis1]

Ah, thanks.... I thought I'd missed something! Is it supported by anyone - Garmin, for example? I was wondering whether I could add some Garmin sensors to our indoor gym gear.

I use a garmin watch with peloton. I don’t like the battery life of Apple Watches. You can use the heart rate monitor from your watch and then use an external service to sync peloton data with garmin (cadence, power, etc), which also sends some data to apple health. Syncmyworkout on the web automates it and there is an app called rungap that you can do it manually.

 

[beanbaguk]

Another nail in the coffin for Peloton. Honestly, this company never ceases to amaze me.

I'm a big time road cyclist and there are just two platforms I use. Zwift and WahooX using my Wahoo Tickr trainer, and accessories. I wouldn't touch Peloton gear at all. The quality of their products is questionable, and their support is shocking. I have friends with Peloton machines gathering dust as they broke and their CS support has been shockingly bad.

My advice. Only use Wahoo. Impeccable customer support. My Kickr is now 4 years old and they are still issuing updates and most recently a bearing wore out. (I've done over 30,000km on it). Wahoo were contacted a new bearing was sent out with installation instructions at no cost. Same for my HR bands. In fact, Wahoo were so apologetic, they sent me two as an apology. I'll always go back to them because you cannot beat this.

And if these warnings weren't enough, just look at all these financial articles on Peloton. Avoid them like the plague:

Inside Peloton's rapid rise and bitter fall — and its attempt at a comeback

Peloton used to be the toast of Wall Street. Now, under CEO Barry McCarthy, it's a year into an aggressive turnaround that has altered the company's identity.

www.cnbc.com

Peloton stock plunges after 20,000 members canceled subscriptions while waiting for recall | CNN Business

A Peloton recall involving the adjustable seat on more than two million bikes is becoming a bigger headache than expected.

edition.cnn.com

Peloton: A Series of Warnings and an Analyst Downgrade

Peloton remains far from being profitable and has severe fundamental weaknesses

finance.yahoo.com

The rise and fall of Peloton, from pandemic-era success story to its stock hitting a record low

Peloton's CEO Barry McCarthy is out after two years as the stock hit a record low. The fitness brand has grappled with mass layoffs, product recalls, and falling demand.

www.businessinsider.com

This is a bad, bad company. $1500 for a garbage trainer bike and there's no guarantee Peloton will even exist. You even have to pay to use it with a subscription.

On the other hand, $500 for a Wahoo Kickr ($700 for a direct drive version), $500 for a low-end road bike to attach to it, and you are away. You don't need a subscription, and the unit will always work with multiple apps including Zwift, WahooX, Rouvy, Bcool and loads more. You can even just train with the Wahoo app.

No serious cyclist that I know uses Peloton as its garbage.

 

[beanbaguk]

I was considering a Peloton bike, but not anymore because of this move.

Avoid like the plague! It's junk. You are tied to Peloton and the company is in dire straits!

Get a low end real road bike that you can even use out and about, and a direct drive smart trainer from Wahoo. It'll cost you less and you get a real bike and indoor simulator that does everything Peloton does for less.

And you have more options with WahooX, Zwift, or whatever you choose.

 

[aacealo]

As an owner of the Bike+, that’s irritating, but the truth is they already nerfed support by making it so the data which syncs already lacks power and similar data. It has the appearance of wanting to try to force people to subscribe to get a benefit that currently doesn’t require payment. I use my bike all the time. I’ll simply use an indoor workout. Fact is, I own the Peloton, and Peloton doesn’t and I got sick of paying them $40/mo a LONG time ago. I don’t need their content and the truth is I don’t need their data either. Not gonna play their game.

 

[InVinoVeritasty]

Stripping a premium, differentiating feature (GymKit) from your flagship product (Bike+) after advertising to customers (even today) that the feature is a reason to pay a premium for the flagship product -- even according to Peloton, GymKit offers more accurate metrics -- is a terrible look. That portion of the customer base that doesn't know or doesn't care is apparently the only portion of the customer base that matters to current Peloton management. I'm done with Peloton. They are not getting another penny from me. Peloton stock was down another 7.5% yesterday.

 

[beanbaguk]

As an owner of the Bike+, that’s irritating, but the truth is they already nerfed support by making it so the data which syncs already lacks power and similar data. It has the appearance of wanting to try to force people to subscribe to get a benefit that currently doesn’t require payment. I use my bike all the time. I’ll simply use an indoor workout. Fact is, I own the Peloton, and Peloton doesn’t and I got sick of paying them $40/mo a LONG time ago. I don’t need their content and the truth is I don’t need their data either. Not gonna play their game.

$40 a MONTH!!?!?

They are taking you for mugs!!!

Zwift is just $14.99 a month, and the EXCELLENT WahooX is the same. Both support cycling, running, static and so many more exercises.

What an absolute joke!

 

[beanbaguk]

Stripping a premium, differentiating feature (GymKit) from your flagship product (Bike+) after advertising to customers (even today) that the feature is a reason to pay a premium for the flagship product -- even according to Peloton, GymKit offers more accurate metrics -- is a terrible look. That portion of the customer base that doesn't know or doesn't care is apparently the only portion of the customer base that matters to current Peloton management. I'm done with Peloton. They are not getting another penny from me. Peloton stock was down another 7.5% yesterday.

Let's hope they burn for good this time. The fitness industry does not need players like this. They only serve to prevent people from getting fit.

 

[InVinoVeritasty]

Let's hope they burn for good this time.

I hope they improve, provide the services they advertise, and prosper. But I won't continue to pay for services they promised and won't deliver.

 

[MNWildFan]

I would very much appreciate something like CarPlay but for gym equipment with touchscreens. My gym has machines with screens, but for some reason they refuse to actually tune them to TV channels, it's really infuriating, and even if they did, I'd have to get a Bluetooth to AUX dongle to use my AirPods Pro...

If Apple built "GymPlay" then eventually they might end up with machines that support it and I could just be my own provider of infotainment at the gym!

I don't know if thats what GymKit was, haven't really kept up with it (hard when Apple doesn't seem to either).

Yup, that would be nice, wouldn't it?

Suffice to say, sometimes stuff at gyms isn't treated the greatest (or sometimes is just older), which is probably why the touchscreens they have just suck sometimes.

And as for GymKit, all that comprises of is equipment like treadmills, bikes, and others that allow you to connect your Apple Watch to it to then have its metrics shown on the treadmill when you do a Fitness+ workout instead of the built-in ones the treadmill gets (which tends to be quite off compared to what you get right from the watch). I'm actually kind of surprised they haven't tried to make GymKit something like what CarPlay is, as that would make for a much better UI/UX experience compared to the built-in one of the equipment itself.

 

[MNWildFan]

Let's hope they burn for good this time. The fitness industry does not need players like this. They only serve to prevent people from getting fit.

Agreed

Apple is doing things right where they offer just the subscription and then you can buy whatever equipment to use alongside it, and all the better if it does have the GymKit support (which most things nowadays should)

 

[Robert.Walter]

Thx for this.

Been considering peloton, now I won’t.

 

[avro707]

They are taking you for mugs!!!

Zwift is just $14.99 a month, and the EXCELLENT WahooX is the same. Both support cycling, running, static and so many more exercises.

What an absolute joke!

You'll get shouted at for saying that, as I did before.

Keeping away from locked in systems is better, you have more options if the company goes bust - just install a different software platform and sign up for a plan and away you go. It's a lot safer using a Tacx or Wahoo trainer of some type and Zwift, Fulgaz or whatever other platform you want to use. Even PerfPro Studio which is pay for the license once only and no further subscription fees.

Or with some of the new options, they are free at the moment because they are being newly developed.