I use zwift for cycling but not for treadmill
What do I require for the treadmill so that I can use zwift
You would need either a Smart treadmill that broadcast speed or a foot pod.
Here is some good info for you (Document created by @Tim_Grose) :
Speed sources for Zwift Running
TIM GROSEĀ·SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2017Ā·
In order for Zwift to know how fast you are running, you will need a sensor (or āsmartā 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 ādirectā 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 Zwift Runners | Facebook)
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 Zwift Runners | Facebook )
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 Zwift Runners | Facebook 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 āBluetooth buttonā 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 Zwiftās list of the latest supported treadmills.
Other direct from treadmill (BLE)
Tacx Magnum treadmill http://magnum.tacx.com/
OPTION 4: Foot pod (BLE) - these are typically attached to your shoe.
Polar Stride Sensor https://www.polar.com/en/products/accessories/stride_sensor_bluetooth_smart
MilestonePod http://www.milestonepod.com/ (Note that the MyFitPod http://www.theathletesfoot.com.au/myfitpod is a rebranded MilestonePod)
Stryd https://www.stryd.com/ (also ANT+ compatible)
Stryd Live https://www.stryd.com/live (also ANT+ compatible). This is a cheaper version of the Stryd that was designed just for Zwift and omits the power functions of the fully featured Stryd. As of September 2018 it has permanently sold out but will still work.
adidas MiCoach Speed Cell (discontinued)
Needs more verification:
RunScribe Plus https://runscribe.com/ (also ANT+ compatible)
Boltt Stride Sensor https://boltt.com/stride-sensor.php (also ANT+ compatible)
Boltt Connected Shoes https://boltt.com/stride-sensor.php (also ANT+ compatible)
Foot pod (ANT+) - these are typically attached to your shoe.
Garmin https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/p/15516
Suunto http://www.suunto.com/en-GB/Products/PODs/Suunto-Foot-POD-Mini/
Stryd https://www.stryd.com/ (also Bluetooth compatible)
Stryd Live https://www.stryd.com/live (also Bluetooth compatible). Discontinued - see above.
Needs more verification:
RunScribe Plus https://runscribe.com/ (also Bluetooth compatible)
Boltt Stride Sensor https://boltt.com/stride-sensor.php (also Bluetooth compatible)
Boltt Connected Shoes https://boltt.com/stride-sensor.php (also Bluetooth compatible)
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)
Treadmill Speed Transmitter https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bipr.treadmill.speedtransmitter
OPTION 8: Chest straps (dual BLE and ANT+)
Wahoo TICKR X http://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/wahoo-tickr-x-heart-rate-strap
Wahoo TICKR Run http://uk.wahoofitness.com/tickr-run-running-monitor
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
UnderArmour Record Equipped shoes. Mentioned in https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000697031-What-Treadmills-and-Sensors-Does-Zwift-Support-?section=360000168612
Boltt Connected Shoes https://boltt.com/shoes.php
OPTION 11: BLE Headphones (yes really!)
Jabra Elite Active 65t https://www.jabra.co.uk/bluetooth-headsets/jabra-elite-active-65t Confirmed as working in Zwift Runners | Facebook although accuracy is subject to further investigation.
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)
4iiii Viiiiva https://4iiii-innovations.myshopify.com/collections/heart-rate-monitors/products/viiiiva
WASP CABLE http://www.npe-inc.com/products/products-cable.html
iOS to ANT+ conversion (to use ANT+ sensors on iOS devices)
Wahoo Key http://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/wahoo-key-16 (this also would need the Apple Lightning to 30 pin adaptor http://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MD823ZM/A/lightning-to-30-pin-adapter ). This does however need confirmation that it actually still works properly with Zwift as various users here have reported issues with it since a recent iOS update which seems to have adversely impacted it. As such it is NOT a recommended bridging solution at this time.
Note that the Garmin ANT+ Adapter for iPhone definitely does NOT work https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/p/103887
ANT+ stick (to use ANT+ sensors on Windows & Mac computers)
Garmin USB ANT Stick https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/10997
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Thank you
One important option missing here, using an app like Treadmill Smart Speed on your phone. No cables, no foot pod, it costs only $1.99 and you have perfect calibration instantly as you type in the speed, if you donāt want to do that you can still use phone as tracking device and its pretty good as well. I invested in all that gear and am now using the app, so much easier!
Hi there, just started on virtual running on zwfit and I am trying to understand the āperfect setupā.
Iāve a Boflwex BXT226 which pairs every time perfectly, I am having issues with an old Garmin HR strap, connected to my mac via an usb-c adaptor which has garmin ant+ usb stick in it.
My issue is that often I loose HR on Zwift, it just loses signal.
So I thought about getting a TRI-hrm from Garmin, this would connect via Bluetooth to the mac and Zwift but would it also transmit cadence data?
I am basically torn between splashing it with a TRI-hrm from Garmin (I do tri, someday I will swim again!) and a Zwfit footpod or just go for a Wahoo HR band and the footpodā¦
The Garmin Tri HRM is ANT+ only (I have 3 of them). The only Garmin HRM that can trasmitt in Bluetooth is the Garmin Dual HRM.
Neither the Tri or the Dual can be used as a cadence sensor.
The Wahoo Tickr and broadcast in both Bluetooth and ANT+ and it also can be used as a speed source and a cadence sensor on Zwift (but not very accurately).
For the best speed and cadence within Zwift I would suggest the Stryd foot pod. It does not need calibration and it measures you foot speed as opposed to belt speed. It is also dual band which makes it more versatile.
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Hey cheers @Paul_Allen for the prompt reply, you literally saved me from getting a pointless Tri HRM, I must have confused it with the Dual HRM.
Stryd is awesome but comes at 200Ā£ā¦ Iāve just spent a fortune on the treadmill!
Zwift footpod a waste of money?
I feel like at this point itās either the Garmin Dual HRM (which will come handy once running outside again) plus the Zwift footpod or the Wahoo Tickr (Iāve got an elemnt on the bike plus various sensors from them, never an issue, totally love the brand)
Thanks again!
This is just my opinion. I would put the Stryd at the top, then the Garmin FootPod (not the Garmin Run Dynamics, itās not supported) and then the Zwift RunPod.
But, since you are looking for cadence the Zwift RunPod should work fine. It is Bluetooth only though.
I have used the Tickr (still do sometimes) and it works well, plus itās dual band which is a major plus.
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Youāve been very helpful, I agree that the Stryd is at the top (from what Iāve read), after some other reads I am not anymore 100% sure about the Wahoo as it would be good to see cadence/dynamics data shown on my Garmin watch too when running outside.
And I still need an HR band that doesnāt drop off on zwift.
So last inclination is Garmin HRM-Run as it will do HR over bluetooth and it will offer dynamics on app+my Garmin plus zwift footpod which is basic but whatever at least Iāll see the cadence on screen but then Iāll be able to analyze other running metrics by recording them with the garminā¦
I hope this helps anyone else in my situation in the future and thanks again Paul for the food for thoughts!
The ONLY Garmin that broadcast HR over Bluetooth is the Garmin Dual HRM. Here is a link to the Garmin Run HRM: Garmin HRM-Runā¢ | Heart Rate Monitor you will see itās ANT+ only.
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Yes yes sorry, getting confused.
I donāt think thereās a one fits all solution, keeping as a constraint a Garmin device to ensure 100% compatibility and displaying data:
- Iād get the HRM-tri because I do triathlons and it would be nice to have HR for a whole race for example (but only ant+ and limited running dynamics features)
- Iād get the HRM-run because it offers the best set of running dynamics but no swim support and still only ant+
- Iād get the HRM dual as itās Bluetooth so good for Zwift
For pods:
-
Stryd the best but pricey
-
Zwiftpod ok but very limited/basic
-
Renounce to Garmin Compatibility (so display stats in-app only)
-
Wahoo Tickr X (bonus points Bluetooth and low price)
-
Potentially Polar H10 (Iāve seen plenty of good reviews)
I can still go for ant+ with my bride and fingers crossed my current old, very old Garmin HR is playing games with me only because of age and not because of bridging.
Races are rare (this year especially), HRM-dual seems dull. HRM-run good investment for the future. Stryd for Xmas 
ā¦
So itās either gamble on HRM-run and hopefully, it will pair and stick to ant+ USB signal or keep it cheap and go for Wahoo Tickr X.
As for pod, Iād stay with Zwift one for now.
I wish Garmin made an HRM-tri with Bluetooth and the same running dynamics of the HRM-run ā¦ Basically theyāve got 3 devices and they should combine them in one, how hard can it be!?
Thanks again
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