Quick Answer: Apple Watch can't directly receive data from your Peloton, but FitSwitch bridges the gap. FitSwitch broadcasts your power, cadence, and heart rate via Bluetooth, allowing Apple Watch fitness apps to track your Peloton workouts with accurate cycling metrics—not just heart rate from your wrist.
Table of Contents
- The Apple Watch and Peloton Problem
- How FitSwitch Enables Apple Watch Tracking
- Setting Up Apple Watch with FitSwitch
- Recording Peloton Workouts on Apple Watch
- Data That Syncs to Apple Health
- FAQ
The Apple Watch and Peloton Problem
What Apple Watch Users Want
Apple Watch users expect their watch to track all workouts: - Close the Activity Rings - Record cycling metrics (power, cadence) - Sync to Apple Health - Contribute to fitness trends - Share with fitness apps
What Peloton Provides
Peloton records your workout data: - Power output - Cadence - Duration - Heart rate (if wearing a monitor)
But Peloton doesn't share this with Apple Watch. The data stays in the Peloton app.
The Gap
Without integration: - No power data on Apple Watch — Can't track watts - No cadence data — Can't track RPM - Only wrist HR — Less accurate than chest strap - Basic "indoor cycling" — Generic activity, not rich data - Incomplete rings — Workouts may not count fully
Apple Watch and Peloton are two separate worlds.
How FitSwitch Enables Apple Watch Tracking
FitSwitch broadcasts your Peloton's sensor data via Bluetooth, making it available to Apple Watch compatible apps.
What Gets Broadcast
- Power (watts) — Your actual output from Peloton's power meter
- Cadence (RPM) — Pedaling speed
- Heart Rate — From your connected HR monitor (not wrist-based)
How It Works
- FitSwitch connects to your Peloton
- FitSwitch reads power, cadence, HR data
- FitSwitch broadcasts via Bluetooth
- Apple Watch app receives the broadcast
- Workout records with accurate cycling data
Your Peloton ride becomes a fully tracked Apple Watch workout.
Compatible Apps
Third-party apps on Apple Watch can receive FitSwitch broadcasts: - Fitness apps that support Bluetooth sensors - Cycling apps with power meter support - Training apps with external sensor pairing
These apps record the data and sync to Apple Health.
Setting Up Apple Watch with FitSwitch
Step 1: Install FitSwitch on Peloton
Follow the FitSwitch installation instructions to set up the device on your Peloton.
Step 2: Prepare Your Apple Watch
- Ensure your Apple Watch is updated to the latest watchOS
- Install a fitness app that supports external Bluetooth sensors
- Open the app and go to sensor settings
Step 3: Pair FitSwitch Sensors
In your Apple Watch fitness app: 1. Go to sensor/device pairing 2. Search for Bluetooth devices 3. Select FitSwitch power meter broadcast 4. Select FitSwitch cadence broadcast 5. Save the pairings
Step 4: Connect Heart Rate (Optional)
You have two options for heart rate: - Apple Watch wrist HR — Built-in, less accurate for cycling - Chest strap via FitSwitch — FitSwitch rebroadcasts your chest strap HR
For best accuracy, use a chest strap and let FitSwitch rebroadcast it.
Recording Peloton Workouts on Apple Watch
Starting a Workout
- Mount your Peloton — Get ready to ride
- Open Apple Watch app — The fitness app with FitSwitch paired
- Start Indoor Cycling activity — Begin tracking
- Start riding on Peloton — Use Peloton app or third-party apps
- Data flows to Apple Watch — Power, cadence, HR display
During the Workout
Your Apple Watch shows: - Current power (watts) - Current cadence (RPM) - Heart rate (BPM) - Duration - Calories (calculated from power + HR)
The watch receives real-time data from FitSwitch.
Ending the Workout
- Finish riding on Peloton
- Stop the workout on Apple Watch
- Save the activity
- Data syncs to Apple Health
Closing Your Rings
With accurate power and heart rate data: - Move ring — Calories accurately calculated - Exercise ring — Minutes count when HR elevated - Stand ring — Not affected by cycling
Your Peloton workout contributes properly to your daily goals.
Data That Syncs to Apple Health
What Gets Recorded
From FitSwitch-tracked workouts: - Active Calories — Calculated from power and HR - Total Calories — Active + basal - Heart Rate — Continuous recording - Workout Duration — Start to finish - Average Power — If app supports it - Average Cadence — If app supports it
Where It Goes
The workout appears in: - Apple Health — Activity data - Apple Fitness — Workout history - Third-party apps — That sync with Apple Health (Strava, etc.)
Comparing to Peloton Data
You may see slight differences between Peloton app data and Apple Watch data: - Different calorie formulas - Different sampling rates - HR source (wrist vs chest)
Both are valid—use whichever you prefer for tracking.
Advantages of Apple Watch Tracking
Unified Fitness Picture
All your workouts in one place: - Running - Swimming - Outdoor cycling - Peloton indoor cycling (now with full data)
Apple Health aggregates everything for trends and insights.
Better Calorie Calculation
With power data, calories are calculated from actual work done: - More accurate than HR-only estimates - More accurate than Peloton's default calculations - Reflects your true energy expenditure
Activity Competition
If you share Activity with friends: - Peloton rides count toward Move goal - Compete fairly with accurate data - No more missing workouts
Apple Fitness+ Integration
Your Apple Watch fitness data includes Peloton rides: - Awards and achievements - Monthly challenges - Fitness trends over time
Using Chest Strap HR Instead of Wrist HR
Why Chest Strap is Better for Cycling
Apple Watch wrist-based HR can be inaccurate during cycling: - Grip on handlebars affects blood flow - Wrist movement causes artifacts - Optical sensors struggle with cycling motion
Chest straps are significantly more accurate.
Setting Up Chest Strap with FitSwitch
- Wear your ANT+ or Bluetooth chest strap
- FitSwitch receives the HR signal
- FitSwitch rebroadcasts via Bluetooth
- Apple Watch app pairs to FitSwitch HR broadcast
- You get chest-strap accuracy on Apple Watch
Ignoring Wrist HR
When using external HR: - Configure the app to use external HR - Apple Watch wrist HR can be disabled for that workout - More accurate data throughout
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Apple Watch connect directly to Peloton?
No. Apple Watch can't receive data from Peloton directly. FitSwitch creates the bridge.
Do I need a specific Apple Watch app?
You need a fitness app that supports external Bluetooth sensors. Check the App Store for "indoor cycling" apps with power meter support.
Will this work with the native Apple Workout app?
The native Workout app has limited external sensor support. Third-party apps typically offer better FitSwitch compatibility.
Can I use Apple Watch and Garmin together?
Yes. FitSwitch broadcasts to multiple devices simultaneously. Apple Watch (Bluetooth) and Garmin (ANT+) can both receive data.
Does this replace Peloton's workout tracking?
No. Both track simultaneously: - Peloton app records in Peloton ecosystem - Apple Watch records in Apple ecosystem
You get workout data in both places.
What about GymKit integration?
Some gyms have Peloton bikes with GymKit. Home Pelotons don't have GymKit. FitSwitch provides similar functionality.
Can I see power on my Apple Watch face?
During an active workout, yes. Some apps also offer complications for the watch face.
Does Apple Health receive power data?
This depends on the fitness app. Some apps sync power to Apple Health; others only sync basic metrics.
Will my rings close automatically?
Your rings update based on the workout data. If the app correctly reports calories and exercise minutes, your rings close.
What if I have Series 3 or older Apple Watch?
Older models work but may have limited Bluetooth capability. Newer Apple Watch models (Series 4+) have better sensor support.
Complete Apple Watch Integration
Your Peloton rides deserve to count in your Apple ecosystem. FitSwitch makes it possible:
- Power data — Real watts to Apple Watch
- Cadence data — Actual RPM
- Heart rate — From chest strap (more accurate)
- Ring closure — Workouts count toward goals
- Apple Health sync — Unified fitness tracking
Stop having incomplete fitness data.
Get FitSwitch — Connect Peloton to Apple Watch.
Last updated: January 2025