In an email dispatched to its users on Monday evening, Peloton disclosed its plan to commence the transition of Apple Watch users from GymKit to Peloton One-Tap tracking starting February 27th.
Initially touted as an exclusive feature for its pricier Bike Plus, GymKit integration has gradually lost its luster over the years. In 2022, Peloton introduced an Apple Watch integration, extending Apple Watch calorie and heart-rate tracking capabilities to all Peloton machines, aligning itself with the standard set by numerous other fitness apps.
For users who recently linked their Peloton to an Apple Watch, the transition may go unnoticed. Peloton has been advising users to resort to GymKit only if they haven't installed the latest software updates on their machines.
Peloton's email to customers unveiled this transition, emphasizing the shift from Apple GymKit to Peloton One-Tap tracking with Apple Watch, facilitating the synchronization of available metrics for classes taken on the Peloton App.
Similar to GymKit, Peloton's app still seamlessly integrates workout data with Apple's Health app. While metrics such as distance, pace, and heart rate remain visible on screen, the transition does not employ Apple's proprietary fitness equipment API. Consequently, with the latest updates in place, the impact on user experience is expected to be minimal. Nevertheless, individuals who invested in the pricier Bike Plus for its GymKit integration may understandably feel disheartened by this change.
As Victoria Song elucidates, the accuracy of metrics like calorie burn can vary significantly based on user factors and exercise type. Despite the ability to input variables such as weight, gender, and activity level, wearable devices like the Apple Watch provide estimations at best.
Despite this, many fitness enthusiasts derive value from tracking their workouts over time and accessing aggregated health data on Apple's Health app. With the transition, the sole avenue for accessing this data will be through Peloton's app, signaling a notable shift in the user experience for Apple Watch users.
Peloton disclosed its plan to commence the transition of Apple Watch users from GymKit to Peloton One-Tap tracking |