I've been on the hunt for a few weeks now to get a new smart watch and I finally decided on the Garmin Venu! Target had an amazing sale on it so I decided to pick it up.
While I like my Apple Watch, I wanted to get a new watch to help me with my outdoor running. I had a Garmin Vivoactive 3 a few years ago and really liked the training features, and the more details Garmin can give me on my running.
In this post I'll go over how to connect your Garmin watch with your Peloton bike or treadmill!
Table of Contents
Garmin vs Apple Watch for Peloton
While both the Apple Watch and Garmin can sync with Peloton Bikes and Treads, I've found it's way easier to get the Garmin to sync. With the Apple Watch you either need to download a third party app or get a special converter like Watch Link to get it to sync (I should add this is not the case for the Peloton Bike+ - that can sync directly with Apple Watches. However on the original Peloton Bike and Peloton Tread this is the case.) As of March 9,2022 Apple Watches can now sync with the original Peloton bike and tread! I'll leave the article as it is with the original issues, but you can now sync directly without a third party app or device!
The reason the Apple Watch doesn't connect to Peloton Bikes and Treads is because it isn't an ANT+ device. On most gym equipment - like Peloton - they require ANT+ devices to connect for heart rates. There are roundabout ways to get it to sync using these third party apps or devices, however it's an extra step.
The Garmin, however, is an ANT+ device and connects without the need of any extra apps or devices.
How to Sync a Garmin Watch to Peloton Tread and Bike
Ready to sync your Garmin? Here's how to do it! I used my Garmin Venu however all the steps should be similar for all Garmin watches.
On your watch, go to settings
Scroll down to "Wrist Heart Rate"
Select "Broadcast in Activity" (the little slider on the side will turn green when activated)
You will get a warning that by turning this on will effect the battery but I honestly haven't noticed any kind of decrease on my watch since turning it on. I'm still getting 5 days of battery life on every charge, with working out 60-90 minutes each day.
Once this setting is turned on your watch you'll be able to see your Garmin when you turn on your Peloton Bike or Tread under "Heart Rate Monitors". I noticed that when I synced my Garmin on my Peloton Tread that my Peloton Bike had it paired automatically on my next workout.
Once you sync your watch to a Peloton bike or tread it'll automatically save so next workout it'll pop right up!
Prefer to watch a video on how to sync a Garmin to a Peloton? Here's my video on how to do it!
Watch vs Bike and Tread Metrics
I've noticed that on the Peloton Tread and my Garmin Watch the distance is almost identical. I did have to calibrate my watch a few times to get it to sync, but once I did the distance is nearly spot on!
On my bike, however, there isn't a way for my distance and speed to sync with my watch during a ride. After a ride I can go into my Garmin settings and edit the workout to add in the distance.
This isn't a huge deal for me since I don't track my bike miles as closely as I do my running, but might be something you want to consider before buying a Garmin watch.
Related Post: How to Sync Peloton with Apple Music and Spotify
Final Thoughts
Overall, I'm really happy with my Garmin Venu and the how easy it was to sync with Peloton. I like that I can see all my data right on my wrist and it's been really motivating to see my progress!
Related Post: Apple Watch or Garmin? Which is better for the Peloton Bike and Tread?
Andy (SORTstreethawk)
Hi Ali,
thanks for sharing your insights, it's very interesting and useful for me.
I've been using my Apple Watch with my Bike+ since I became a Peloton user last year. I just bring the watch close to the Peloton logo near the webcam and the recording starts automatically, but there are some drawbacks (stability, failure rate, Peloton workout tracking without using bike+ not perfect). I used to be a Garmin Fenix user for swimming, running, cycling and hiking and after your review I would switch back to Garmin for a try.
Many thanks for posting and greetings from Germany ✌
Ali
Oh that's good to know! I have the original bike that doesn't have any integration (or I should say - direct integration lol) so I've always had to do roundabout ways to get it to connect. I'd love to know what you think of the garmin connection when you try it!