Update: Peloton has U-turned on its original decision to end support for Apple GymKit, emailing customers to tell them that the integration will now be retained.
"We heard you loud and clear, this is an important feature for you. Based on your feedback, we will continue supporting this integration," the email reads.
Our original story remains below, though we've changed our headlines to reflect this update.
Peloton has informed Bike+ customers it is axing Apple GymKit integration, instead pointing them in the direction of the One-Tap tracking available through the Apple Watch and Peloton app.
Initially sold as one of the premium features of the company's more expensive exercise bike, GymKit support will end on 27 February, with users left with the Apple Watch integration that launched in 2022.
This integration brought calorie and heart rate tracking info to Peloton's range of machines, making the GymKit support less of an attractive feature.
In a now-deleted Peloton customer support page, the company also appears to have planning the move for some time, noting that "the latest Peloton Product software updates use One-Tap Apple Watch Tracking" and that "GymKit may be used if these updates have not yet been made".
Peloton
On the surface, this would appear to be a relatively routine and expected move, given that transition to One-Tap tracking a couple of years ago.
However, as reported by plenty of enraged Bike+ users in the Peloton subreddit, the GymKit integration appears to have been far more reliable than One-Tap support since its launch. Others, rightly, also point out the poor practice of removing features post-purchase.
With it being likely that Peloton is on the hook for a licensing fee to use Apple GymKit, though, and the company no doubt still looking at cost-cutting measures following a tough 2022 that saw it cut around 12% of its workforce, this kind of move perhaps comes as no surprise.
We'll stay tuned to this one as it develops - we're sure plenty more customers will make their voices heard between now and Peloton's planned removal of GymKit support later this month.
How we test
Conor moved to Wareable Media Group in 2017, initially covering all the latest developments in smartwatches, fitness trackers, and VR. He made a name for himself writing about trying out translation earbuds on a first date and cycling with a wearable airbag, as well as covering the industry’s latest releases.
Following a stint as Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint, Conor returned to Wareable Media Group in 2022 as Editor-at-Large. Conor has become a wearables expert, and helps people get more from their wearable tech, via Wareable's considerable how-to-based guides.
He has also contributed to British GQ, Wired, Metro, The Independent, and The Mirror.