Speed sources for Zwift Running
TIM GROSE¡SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2017¡
In order for Zwift to know how fast you are running, you will need a sensor (or âsmartâ treadmill) of some sort to tell it. Here are some options below. The most popular options are foot pods, the cheapest options are the phone apps, the best options are probably the âdirectâ options.
NOTE: All of the options below also appear in a list of Platforms and Sensors that can be used to run the Zwift app (platforms) and that can deliver speed, cadence, heart rate or power data to Zwift (sensors).
Sensor types
Sensors come in two types depending on how they communicate with a receiving device:
- ANT+ is popular in the Garmin world, and does allow a sensor to be connected to multiple receiving devices at the same time (e.g. you could connect an ANT+ footpod to Zwift on a PC and to your Garmin watch at the same time)
- BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) is popular in the apple and smartphone worlds. BLE sensors can only connect to a single receiving device, but given the popularity of apple/ smartphone devices, it can be easier to directly connect the sensor to your Zwift device
The following table shows the options available for connecting ANT+ or BLE sensors to each of the Zwift platforms. Find your platform and sensor type to identify your connection options:
Connecting Sensors to Zwift
OPTION 1: Direct from treadmill (GEM Modules aka GymConnect OEM Module) ANT+ or BLE
See https://npe-inc.com/gem-bluetooth-ant-module/ (pre installed on treadmill)
Note that the product line was originally developed by Wahoo http://www.wahoogym.com/gym-equipment-gem-module/ and is now with NPE.
Examples:
- True Performance 800 (PS800) https://shop.truefitness.com/treadmills (verified - see Redirecting...)
- True Performance 10o (PS100) https://shop.truefitness.com/treadmills
- True Performance 300 (PS300) https://shop.truefitness.com/treadmills
- Star Trac http://www.wahoogym.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Wahoo-Fitness-star-trac-case-study.pdf (this seems to be the OpenHub consoles - see under OPTION 3)
OPTION 2: Direct from treadmill (GEM Retro aka GymConnect Retrofit Module) ANT+ or BLE
See https://npe-inc.com/gem-bluetooth-ant-products/ Requires fitting to the CSAFE port. Note that the product was originally developed by Wahoo http://www.wahoogym.com/gym-equipment-retrofit-module-2/ and is now with NPE.
Examples:
- Precor 966i (mentioned Redirecting... )
- Woodway Desmo
- Some versions of the Life Fitness Club Series, Club Series +, Platinum Club Series treadmills have CSAFE ports that work with the GEM although not all do and apparently not the latest Life Fitness Club Series+ with the Integrity X console. https://shop.lifefitness.com/cardio/treadmills Please check with the vendor prior to purchase if considering one of these.
OPTION 3: Direct from treadmill (BLE)
Examples:
- MYRUN Technogym https://www.technogym.com/gb/newsroom/technogym-myrun-now-compatible-with-zwift-running-platform and confirmed as working as for 19th Feb 2018 in this forum.
- Woodway 4Front https://www.woodway.com/products/4front This seems to allow iOS users to pick up pace direct from the treadmill over BT and also HR from an ANT+ strap that is rebroadcast as BT). See Redirecting... for discussion here.
- Life Fitness treadmills with a Track Connect console https://lifefitness.com/home/products/consoles/track-connect-console Confirmed as working in the comments of this doc and with Life Fitness. The T3, T5 and F3 home treadmills are offered with this console. Note the older Track Plus console or the cheaper Go console do not work with Zwift.
- Life Fitness treadmills with a Discover console https://lifefitness.com/home/products/consoles/discover-console This appears that it may well work like the lower spec Track Connect console above but has not been verified.
- BowFlex BXT116/BXT226, BXT216/BXT326. Confirmed as working with Zwift with Bowflex. Note that the BXT116 and BXT216 are the North America versions and the BXT226 and BXT326 respectively are the International versions of the same treadmills.
- Star Trac treadmills with one of the OpenHub consoles https://corehandf.com/openhub (see in the video on that page or at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD9XPw5Grpc). These ones have the âBluetooth buttonâ that is mentioned by Zwift in https://support.zwift.com/en_us/what-treadmills-and-sensors-does-zwift-support-ByeebAJbBm
- Sole F80 2019 model (and TBC other 2019 versions of Sole treadmills).
- Treadmills that support Bluetooth FTMS (Fitness Machine Service - see https://www.bluetooth.com/specifications/gatt). Examples of any treadmills that support this to be established.
Note see https://support.zwift.com/en_us/what-treadmills-and-sensors-does-zwift-support-ByeebAJbBm for Zwiftâs list of the latest supported treadmills.
Other direct from treadmill (BLE)
OPTION 4: Foot pod (BLE) - these are typically attached to your shoe.
Needs more verification:
Foot pod (ANT+) - these are typically attached to your shoe.
Needs more verification:
OPTION 5: Apple Watch (BLE)
- An update at end March 2017 has enabled the ability to use an Apple Watch
OPTION 6: iPhone Apps (BLE)
- Treadmill Smart Speed (TSS) https://appyappster.com/apps/ John McManus (member here) developed this for the iPhone and is available in the App Store.
OPTION 7: Android Apps (BLE)
OPTION 8: Chest straps (dual BLE and ANT+)
OPTION 9: Treadmill Belt Measurement (BLE)
- TreadTracker http://store.runsocial.com/products/treadtracker Make sure you get the gen 2 version which works with Zwift as the gen 1 does not. It is however very difficult to tell which is which from just looking at them. It is thought the gen 2 version comes with
a branded cover sleeve for the cardboard box it comes in but the gen 1 just comes in the box with no cover sleeve. Recommend asking the vendor prior to purchase.
OPTION 10: BLE Shoes
OPTION 11: BLE Headphones (yes really!)
Sensors that will not work as Speed Sources
There are some devices that Zwift users have expected to be able to use as a speed source that do not transmit speed data (they cannot be used as a speed source).
- Garmin Running Dynamics Pod https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/p/561205
This pod clips to the back of your shorts/leggings and measures torso movement. It does not measure (or transmit) running speed.
- Most running watches. Running watches do not typically broadcast running speed - Zwift cannot use them as a speed source.
Appendix
BLE/ANT+ bridges (for use with iOS and with ANT+ foot pods)
iOS to ANT+ conversion (to use ANT+ sensors on iOS devices)
ANT+ stick (to use ANT+ sensors on Windows & Mac computers)
