Want to bring your workout data together? Learning how to connect Apple Watch to Peloton treadmill is a great way to do it. This connection lets your watch track metrics like heart rate and calories during your Peloton Tread or Tread+ runs, syncing everything to your Apple Health app. It makes for a much smoother fitness experience.
We’ll walk you through the different methods, from the official GymKit way to using the Peloton app. You’ll also find tips for fixing common problems. Let’s get your devices talking.
How to Connect Apple Watch to Peloton Treadmill
There are two main paths to connect your devices. The best method for you depends on your specific Peloton equipment and whether you use the Peloton app or a Bike+.
Method 1: Using GymKit (For Peloton Tread+ and Bike+ Owners)
This is the simplest and most integrated method, but it only works with Peloton’s Tread+ and Bike+ models, as they have the needed NFC reader. If you have the standard Peloton Tread, skip to Method 2.
Here’s how to do it:
- Start a workout on your Peloton Tread+. The class or “Just Run” screen should be visible.
- On your Apple Watch, open the Workout app. You don’t need to start a workout.
- Hold the face of your Apple Watch close to the GymKit icon on your Tread+’s screen. It’s usually in the lower-right corner.
- You’ll feel a tap and hear a beep on your watch. The Peloton screen will show a “Connected” message.
- Your heart rate and calories from the watch will now appear on the Tread+ display. Just press “Start” on the Peloton to begin.
The workout data will save to both your Peloton profile and your Apple Health app automatically. No double-tracking needed!
Method 2: Using the Peloton App on Your Apple Watch
For owners of the standard Peloton Tread (without GymKit), this is your go-to method. It works for any Apple Watch user taking a class through the Peloton app on an iPhone, iPad, or the Tread itself.
First, you need to install the Peloton app on your watch:
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap “My Watch” and scroll to “Available Apps.”
- Find “Peloton” and tap “Install” next to it.
Now, to connect during a workout:
- Begin a class on your Peloton Tread screen or on your iPhone/iPad.
- On your Apple Watch, open the Peloton app (the icon with the “P”).
- It should automatically find and list your in-progress class. Tap “Join.”
- Grant heart rate permissions if this is your first time. The app will now stream your heart rate to the Peloton equipment.
- You’ll see your real-time heart rate and calories on the Tread screen alongside the class metrics.
This method also syncs your data to Apple Health, but sometimes you might see two workouts if you also start one in the Watch’s Workout app—so avoid starting a separate workout.
What to Do If the Watch App Doesn’t Find Your Class
Sometimes the connection can be glitchy. Try these steps:
- Ensure your iPhone (if you’re using it) and Watch are on the same Wi-Fi network as the Tread.
- Force quit and reopen the Peloton app on both your watch and the source device (iPhone/iPad).
- Restart both your Apple Watch and your iPhone or Peloton Tread.
- Check for updates to the Peloton app in the App Store on your iPhone.
Why Connecting is Worth It
Syncing your devices gives you a clearer picture of your fitness. All your effort from the treadmill feeds directly into your Apple Health rings, closing your Move and Exercise goals. It also creates a centralized record of your heart rate trends over time, which is useful for tracking your fitness improvements. You won’t have to manually enter any data, which saves time and reduces errors.
Fixing Common Connection Problems
Even with the right steps, things can sometimes go wrong. Here are solutions for frequent issues.
GymKit Connection Fails or Times Out
If holding your watch to the Tread+ doesn’t work:
- Check for screen protectors or cases. Thick cases on your watch can interfere with the NFC signal.
- Make sure the Tread+ screen is awake and on the workout start screen.
- Restart your Apple Watch by holding the side button until you see the power off slider.
- On the Tread+, try a simple reboot by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
Peloton Watch App Shows “No Classes Found”
This is a common frustration. Follow this checklist:
- Verify the class is actually running on your other device. The watch app looks for an active session.
- Confirm Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone and Watch. The connection uses Bluetooth.
- Log out of the Peloton app on your watch and iPhone, then log back in. This refreshes the connection.
- Reinstall the Peloton app on your Apple Watch via the Watch app on your iPhone.
Heart Rate Not Appearing on Tread Screen
If you’re connected but see no heart rate data:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Health > Peloton. Ensure all categories, especially Heart Rate, are toggled on.
- Similarly, on your iPhone, open the Watch app, go to Privacy > Health, and check that Peloton has permission.
- Make sure your watch band is snug on your wrist. A loose fit can cause poor heart rate readings.
Remember, no method is perfect and occasional hiccups are normal. The GymKit method is generally the most reliable when it’s available.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Can I connect my Apple Watch to any Peloton Treadmill?
You can, but the experience differs. Only the Peloton Tread+ supports direct GymKit pairing. The standard Peloton Tread requires you to use the Peloton watch app to connect and share heart rate data during classes.
Do I need my iPhone nearby to connect?
For GymKit on the Tread+, no. The connection is directly between the watch and treadmill. For the Peloton watch app method, yes, your iPhone typically needs to be on the same network and relatively nearby, as the watch app often relies on the phone’s connection.
Will this sync my workout to Apple Fitness+?
No. Apple Fitness+ is a separate service. However, all your workout data from the Peloton connection will sync to the Apple Health app. You can view your trends and metrics in the Health or Fitness app on your iPhone, which is where Fitness+ data also goes.
Why does my Apple Watch show two workouts?
This happens if you successfully connect your watch to the Tread but also manually start a “Indoor Run” workout in the Workout app on your watch. You are then tracking the session twice. To avoid this, let the connection handle the tracking—don’t start a separate workout on your watch.
My calorie count is different between devices. Which is correct?
It’s common to see slight variances. Peloton and Apple use different algorithms to estimate calorie burn. The Apple Watch calculation, which uses your personal health data, is generally considered more accurate for you. Trust the number that appears in your Apple Health app for consistency.
Can I use this for “Just Run” mode?
Absolutely. Both GymKit and the Peloton watch app work with scenic runs and the “Just Run” feature, not just instructor-led classes. Just start the free run on your Tread, then initiate the connection using your preferred method.
Getting your Apple Watch and Peloton Treadmill to work together streamlines your workout tracking. Whether you use the seamless GymKit tap or the Peloton watch app, you’ll enjoy having all your metrics in one place. Start with the simplest method for your equipment, and refer back to the troubleshooting tips if you hit a snag. With everything connected, you can focus entirely on your run.