Is Fitbit Compatible With iFIT

There are three ways to use iFit: connecting the app to your equipment, using it without equipment, and using iFit with non-connected equipment. Some equipment that works flawlessly with iFIT include ellipticals, stationary bikes, treadmills, and Fusion. What about Fitbit? Is Fitbit compatible with iFIT?

No! Fitbit fitness trackers are not compatible with the iFIT app. Despite several years of customer requests, Fitbit and iFIT are yet to form a partnership. That locks Fitbit out of many workout devices such as NordicTrack and Proform. However, other fitness trackers like the Garmin Vivosmart are compatible with iFIT

After testing the Garmin Vivosmart and Garmin Forerunner 55 both indoors and outdoors, they stood out as the most accurate fitness trackers. You can sync them with iFIT through Garmin Connect to access iFIT’s workout notifications and exercise plans on your wrist. Keep reading to learn more about Fitbit’s compatibility with iFIT.

Related article: How accurate is Fitbit Oxygen Variation?

Do Fitbit watches work on a treadmill

Fitbit smartwatches such as the Fitbit Charge 3 have a built-in Treadmill mode that you can initiate when using iFIT on your NordicTrack or Proform.

Note that the smartwatch will not sync with iFIT but will measure your distance based on your height and strides. Meanwhile, the treadmill will also measure your accurate distance.

In other words, turning on the Treadmill mode does not improve Fitbit’s accuracy. Usually, Fitbit will undercount your distance. 

Every time I used my Fitbit Versa 3 on a treadmill, I had to delete the entries on my smartwatch and manually enter the accurate distances shown on iFIT. But that can be overwhelming. 

Can’t Fitbit just work with iFIT? No one can tell with absolute certainty when that will happen. When I realized that my NordicTrack’s iFIT is not compatible with my Fitbit Versa 3, I contacted both companies’ customer care.

Fitbit told me to raise the matter through their community website to vote for the change. The company says they will consider compatibility with iFIT if enough people are concerned. What is not clear is how many people they mean by “enough.” 

For now, you will use Fitbit’s Treadmill exercise mode when running indoors. And that means manually feeding your smartwatch with accurate information after every treadmill workout. But don’t worry. I will give you the best fitness trackers that are compatible with iFIT.

What fitness trackers are compatible with iFIT?

Here are some ifit compatible watches: Garmin Vivosmart and Garmin Forerunner 55 are compatible with iFIT

1. Garmin Vivosmart

Garmin Vivosmart has proven accurate on my NordicTrack as a standalone device and when I synced it with iFIT. You can sync Garmin Vivosmart with iFIT through the Garmin Connect app and keep all your health and fitness histories up to date.

If you don’t pair the two, Garmin Vivosmart will rely on activity auto-detection and GPS to track your movements and distance covered. With iFIT, it will measure your distance using an algorithm that’s based on your height and stride.

You will get access to iFIT’s library of professional instructors, workouts, and exercise plans straight on your wrist. That includes reminders of when to drink water, take a fruit, go for a walk, and so much more.

In addition, Garmin Vivosmart will monitor your heart rate with significant accuracy. After outdoor workouts, your iFIT will integrate with Garmin Vivosmart through Garmin Connect and update your new metrics. Therefore, you won’t have to enter your results manually.

Reasons to buy

  • It is compatible with iFit
  • Accurate GPS

Reason to avoid

  • Complicated settings
  • Long battery life

2. Garmin Forerunner 55

Garmin Forerunner 55 is another activity tracker I highly recommend for iFIT users. Like Vivosmart, the Forerunner syncs with iFIT through the Garmin Connect app. The app allows you to seamlessly exchange data from your outdoor and indoor workouts.

You can use Garmin Forerunner 55 on most iFIT treadmills to measure your distance covered, calories burned, heart rate, and many more. Garmin Forerunner is compatible with iFIT, but you will need premium subscriptions to access advanced features.

Garmin Forerunner 55 is also compatible with ellipticals, stationary bikes, treadmills, and Fusion. It allows you access to knowledgeable instructors, workouts, and exercise plans tailored to meet your lifestyle. 

Due to its measuring accuracy and durability, Garmin Forerunner 55 can be quite expensive. I recommend the fitness tracker to professional athletes and workout trainers. Otherwise, it is worth it because it works with iFIT and several third-party fitness apps.

Reasons to buy

  • Accurate health monitors
  • Compatible with iFIT
  • Long battery life

Reasons to avoid

  • Quite expensive
  • Premium subscriptions

Conclusion

Fitbits are excellent fitness trackers that should be compatible with iFIT. However, Fitbit is not compatible with iFIT. And unfortunately, there is no third-party app you can use to sync the two. 

But if you have Garmin Vivosmart or Garmin Forerunner 55, you can sync them with iFIT and have a seamless health and fitness data exchange between them.

I am still following up on Fitbit and iFIT compatibility. If the companies announce a partnership, I will tell you about it.

Did you find this article helpful? Share with me your thoughts in the comments section.