Peloton Seemingly Rolling Back GymKit Support [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Peloton appears to be rolling back its support for Apple GymKit on the Bike+, which was one of the first consumer-oriented machines to feature the option of Apple Watch integration, according to Connect The Watts.

Peloton was among the first companies to support GymKit on its home fitness machines, allowing users to easily and directly pair their Apple Watch with their bike. This meant that users could see heart rate information from the Apple Watch on the machine and feed workout metrics into the Apple Watch, the Activity app, and the Health app automatically.

After disabling Apple Watch pairing for Strength and Yoga workouts on the Bike+, one of Peloton's latest updates disables the ability to directly pair the Apple Watch with the Bike+ during Bootcamp workouts. This means that the only remaining class to still work with the Apple Watch is Cycling.

Peloton's responses to complaints about the feature removal on Instagram have claimed that the company hopes "to support GymKit for additional class types in the future," but have inadvertently proven that the gradual removal of GymKit features that has occurred so far is intentional and not a bug.

The move has caused outrage among some Peloton customers, particularly since GymKit was sold as a premium feature on its $2,495 Bike+, and was not available on the cheaper $1,895 Peloton Bike. The Bike+ launched only seven months ago and was largely seen as the only viable consumer option for using GymKit at home.

It is possible that Peloton is planning on releasing its own fitness-oriented smartwatch in the future, which may explain the gradual removal of GymKit features. Peloton purchased fitness smartwatch maker Atlas Wearables earlier this year, so it seems to be a matter of time before the company leverages that acquisition to launch its own integrated smartwatch.

The company would likely want to encourage users who have already invested in costly equipment and an ongoing $39 per month subscription to remain within the Peloton ecosystem with its own smartwatch. Rumors suggest that an announcement of a Peloton smartwatch could come as soon as the end of this month.

Another possibility is that Peloton is concerned about endorsing the Apple ecosystem now that there is a cheaper rival service in the form of Apple Fitness+. Peloton may suspect that Apple Watch users would be attracted to Apple Fitness+, and therefore would not want to provide any additional cause to purchase one by offering integrated features.

Update: Peloton has now confirmed to The Verge that GymKit no longer works in Bike Bootcamp classes and instead will "only be available in cycling classes for now." The Peloton spokesperson also said "Peloton is committed to bringing the GymKit integration to all workouts and disciplines within Apple's terms of service," which seems to suggest that Bootcamp workouts and others that have lost GymKit support did not fall under Apple's terms of service, but it is not yet clear why this would be the case.

Article Link: Peloton Seemingly Rolling Back GymKit Support [Updated]

 

[Trik]

I have a feeling this is going to result in a class action lawsuit...

 

[orbital~debris]

Another possibility is Peloton have got wind of (or suspect) further incursion by Apple into their territory – perhaps Apple-designed fitness equipment is incoming to bolster the Fitness+ service. They already sell eco-friendly cork yoga blocks and mats through the Apple Store.

In this way, their actions would be mirroring Apple's previous actions when a new product of theirs is in the offing, and they've removed competing products from retail.

 

[LeeW]

I suspect Apple Fitness is just the 1st step towards Apples own gym equipment. That will annoy Peloton users further.

 

[TomOSeven]

I had to google what Peloton was, and of all the nonsensical overprices scams Americans fall for, this has to be at least in the top five.

 

[Wildkraut]

They simply don’t want to become Apple slaves and put their business in the hands of others, good that way.

 

[Force332]

I always just figured Apple would just want to acquire Peloton.

 

[jumanji]

oh please, this is definitely about Peloton bring their own set of wearables. shoes, weights, mats water bottles...this was just the next thing if were looking for additional revenue streams

 

[jarman92]

Wow that's really outrageous. GymKit was a huge selling point for the Bike+, and this is clearly false advertising/bait-and-switch.

 

[krfr]

I’m glad I’m not one of those who purchased the peloton. I’d be outraged also. They are definitely on the overpriced spectrum.

 

[jclardy]

My peloton was delivered the week before the Bike+ was announced. Super glad I decided not to trade-up with the offer they had, GymKit was the only reason I considered the switch.

 

[CaptFuzzyBuns]

1) I'd be 10/10 livid if I had the new Peloton bike...
2) Kind of makes sense for certain workouts like Bootcamp that mixes bike + strength. I assume different workouts are calculated differently. That being said, I think Fitness+ workouts automatically adapt and change to the workout being done... If so, that means its possible for the Watch to accommodate mixed workouts...
3) At least cycling workouts still pair with the Apple Watch.
4) I'm glad I bought a simple bluetooth adapter to link my Apple Watch to our Peloton instead of selling ours and buying the new bike since I'm too fury for chest strap heart rate monitors to work on me. ☺️
4) I'd still be mad.

 

[ocyrus]

I had to google what Peloton was, and of all the nonsensical overprices scams Americans fall for, this has to be at least in the top five.

How is cycling with a tv screen integrated into your bike at home a scam? Its been done in gyms for the past 2 decades....

 

[brian3uk]

I am super tired of every company wanting to do everything. God forbid someone want to use, and pay, for both Apple and Peloton products together. Cross-compatibility should be the standard and not this fragmented technical dystopia.

 

[rictus007]

> I had to google what Peloton was, and of all the nonsensical overprices scams Americans fall for, this has to be at least in the top five.

How is cycling with a tv screen integrated into your bike at home a scam? Its been done in gyms for the past 2 decades....

Price tag? Maybe ….. the subscription service. Actually for me buying the bike was not an issue ….. it was the subscription service. There’s more affordable options and even free ones.

 

[zachcsnyder]

Which means I’m rolling back my plan to purchase one

 

[Stevez67]

How is cycling with a tv screen integrated into your bike at home a scam? Its been done in gyms for the past 2 decades....

That's a lot of money to pay just to have something to hang clothes on while they dry (sarcasm)

 

[munpip214]

I’ve never understood why gymkit never spread down to normal consumer gym equipment. Don’t think Apple tried too hard on this one. Why can’t a $500 machine do it, let alone the 3k ones.

 

[GeoStructural]

I suspect Apple Fitness is just the 1st step towards Apples own gym equipment. That will annoy Peloton users further.

Can you imagine? Magic lifter: dumbbells and weights sold separate. No user interface, entirely operated by Siri.

 

[toph2toast]

I've had a peloton for a few years and never saw the desire of having gym-kit integrated into the bike. I start a workout on the bike, tell my watch i'm starting a cycling working and that's it. Buying a more expensive bike, or some 3rd party attachment to have everything integrated doesn't seem worth it (to me).

 

[shaown]

Thank god I didn't upgrade to a Bike+ , I almost did just for GymKit support.

 

[eliteoOSX27]

I had to google what Peloton was, and of all the nonsensical overprices scams Americans fall for, this has to be at least in the top five.

.. I take it that you do not exercise.

 

[Mark and 30 others]

They simply don’t want to become Apple slaves and put their business in the hands of others, good that way.

Didn’t stop them from charging their customers a premium for it

 

[Alan Wynn]

I suspect Apple Fitness is just the 1st step towards Apples own gym equipment. That will annoy Peloton users further.

I do not think that it will be Apple designed gym equipment, but more likely, Apple Co-Branded gear from third parties. I expect that all the gear listed on the Fitness+ gear page will be the first to get full integration with other gear coming later. This will make it possible for the Fitness+ workout to control the resistance, and display the bike/treadmill/rower data on the iPhone/iPad/AppleTV screen like the Peleton workouts do.

Given the addition of new workout types on the 19th, I wonder if they are going to have more Fitness+ related announcements on the 20th.

 

[vanillaboy]

For those complaining about Peloton’s (or even Apple’s) pricing for fitness, it comes down to whatever motivates you. Anyone can realistically exercise for free or close to it using everyday objects around the house and running outside. Jack LaLane proved this over 50 years ago. As for this particular issue, it is certainly upsetting but not the end of the world. Both companies provide excellent workouts (I use both), so pick one, both, or none, and move on. I also wish that the software side was more universal but obviously the competition is heating up so I for one am not holding my breath.