Orangetheory Fitness Rolling Out Apple Watch Support in Early 2020

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Orangetheory Fitness today announced that it will begin rolling out Apple Watch support to its gyms in the first quarter of 2020, eliminating the need to use one of the company's armbands or chest straps for heart rate tracking.

orangetheory fitness apple watch
The fitness chain has created a small accessory called the OTbeat Link that attaches to an Apple Watch band, allowing the Apple Watch to sync with the Orangetheory Fitness in-studio heart rate monitoring system. There will also be a new Orangetheory Fitness app for the Apple Watch to accompany the OTbeat Link.

"Now, not only will members be able to view metrics in real time in class with an Apple Watch, they'll also be able to see their Orangetheory Fitness workouts afterward in the Activity app," explains Orangetheory Fitness.

"Apple Watch is designed to help people live a better day by being more active," said Apple fitness director Jay Blahnik. "With workout tracking, Apple Pay and a new membership program, we are thrilled Orangetheory Fitness is integrating Apple Watch into a comprehensive experience for their customers."

Orangetheory Fitness has also developed two new iOS apps called OTassist and OTcoach for improved interactions between staff, coaches, and members.

The new OTbeat Link accessory will be priced at $129 on Apple.com and elsewhere.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 6
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Top Rated Comments

Marcus PM Avatar
Marcus PM
21 months ago
This seems a little pricey for a simple liaison between two devices.
Move the decimal one spot to the left.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stromos Avatar
Stromos
21 months ago
As someone who goes to OrangeTheory at least three times a week I am so excited for this!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zorn Avatar
Zorn
21 months ago
Or just provide equipment compatible with GymKit, which is what Apple designed for this purpose rather than some expensive third party accessory?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dewalt Avatar
dewalt
21 months ago

No, but most of their stuff is quite pricey. Not sure what about this justifies the cost though. It doesn't have any sensors that I'm aware, appears to be a middleman between their equipment and the watch hardware.
Most likely it's a bluetooth accessory that will take the heartbeat data from Apple Watch and send it via ANT+ to OT equipment.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bbeagle Avatar
bbeagle
21 months ago

Is $129 reasonable for this accessory?
You can NOT connect to the equipment for $0.
You CAN connect to the equipment for $129.

It's up to the individual person whether it's worth it or not.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacLawyer Avatar
MacLawyer
21 months ago
It seems Apple is taking over the wearables market, at least where fitness and health are concerned. Going to be difficult for Android manufacturers to catch up, I think.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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