Using Wahoo Kickr with Garmin devices (step by step guide)

You have just bought a Wahoo Kickr or are about to buy one. So you probably have lots of questions to make sure it is compatible with the Garmin devices you already own. I will answer below to a list of common questions with regards to Wahoo Kickr and Garmin.

Can Wahoo Kickr connect to Garmin?

The Wahoo Kickr can connect with Garmin devices such as Garmin Edge or GPS watches. These devices will serve as controllers to the Kickr: set a resistance, launch a workout, or recreate an outdoor activity. The kicker cannot connect directly to Garmin Connect, it will need these devices to do so.

How to sync Wahoo Kickr data to Garmin

Wahoo Kickr cannot upload data directly to Garmin Connect. You will need to use one of the few compatible apps or devices which can write in Garmin Connect as intermediates. Devices compatible are Garmin bike computers and GPS watches. The Zwift app can also write in Garmin Connect.

Garmin Connect only allows Garmin devices to record data directly into its services. For other devices, such as smart trainers, their data need to be recorded via external applications or by a Garmin device in order to be written into Garmin Connect.

In my opinion, the simplest solution is to record your session with a Garmin edge or Zwift and then send it over to Garmin Connect.

If you wonder how to export activities to Garmin Connect which have been recorded with a Wahoo, I wrote a dedicated article on this topic: How to use Garmin Connect with a Wahoo.

The rest of the article focuses on how to use a Wahoo Kickr with a Garmin edge, or a Garmin watch. Hence it focuses more on hardware than software.

Garmin devices compatible with the Wahoo Kickr

Wahoo Kickr is compatible with several Garmin GPS bike computers and watches. Once paired, your Garmin device can control your Kickr: set the resistance, allow you to ride a structured workout in ERG mode, or re-ride an existing course.

The following Garmin models can connect to your Wahoo Kickr:

Bike computers:

• Edge 130 Plus
• Edge 520
• Edge 520 Plus
• Edge 530
• Edge 830
• Edge 1030
• Edge 1030 Plus
• Edge 1040/1040 Solar
• Edge Explore 2 Series

If you are not equipped with a bike mount yet, this one available on Amazon is great to attach a Garmin edge.

Watches:

• D2 Mach 1
• Descent Mk2 Series
• Descent G1 Series 
• Enduro Series
• Epix (Gen 2) Series
• Forerunner 255 Series
• Forerunner 745
• Forerunner 945 (minimum software version 5.00)
• Forerunner 945 LTE
• Forerunner 955/955 Solar
• Fenix 6 series (minimum software version 11.00)
• Fenix 7 Series
• Instinct 2 Series
• Instinct Crossover Series
• MARQ Collection (minimum software version 11.00)
• MARQ Collection (Gen 2)
• Tactix 7 Series
• Tactix Delta series (minimum software version 11.00)

Once you have paired your Kickr to your Garmin, you have 3 options:

• Use the Garmin as a remote control to select a set resistance and ride it. Of course, you can modify the resistance while riding.
• Use the Garmin to re-ride an outdoor activity on your trainer. It will show you a virtual partner and use ERG mode to control the resistance throughout the ride.
• Use the Garmin to ride a prepared structured workout. You can create these workouts in Garmin connect and export them to your Garmin devices.

How to pair Wahoo Kickr to Garmin

You can pair a Wahoo Kickr with a number of Garmin GPS bike computers and smart watches. The pairing will allow your Garmin device to control your Kickr.

To pair your Garmin Edge, follow these steps:

1. Plug in your Kickr
2. On your Garmin Edge device, go to ‘connecting to sensors’
3. Click on ‘add sensor’
4. Click on ‘indoor trainer’
5. Your device is now paired.
6. Optional step: rename the device to recognize it easily (device ID is not very clear)

To pair your Garmin Watch, follow these steps:

1. Plug in your Kickr
2. On your Garmin Watch device, go to ‘sensors and accessories’
3. Click on ‘Add new’
4. Click on ‘Search all sensors’ or click select directly ‘Smart trainer’
5. Once device is found, just select to add it to your list of sensors.
6. Your device is now paired.
7. Optional step: rename the device to recognize it easily (device ID is not very clear)

Once you have paired your Kickr to your Garmin, you have 3 options:

• Use the Garmin as a remote control to select a set resistance and ride it. Of course, you can modify the resistance while riding.
• Use the Garmin to re-ride an outdoor activity on your trainer. It will show you a virtual partner and use ERG mode to control the resistance throughout the ride.
• Use the Garmin to ride a prepared structured workout. You can create these workouts in Garmin connect and export them to your Garmin devices.

Can you use Garmin Heart Rate monitor with Wahoo Kickr?

It is possible to use a Garmin heart monitor with a Wahoo Kickr by using a 3rd party app. The kicker cannot receive data from other devices directly. You will have to connect it through an app like Zwift. It will record in one place the data of your Kickr (power, speed, cadence) and your HR monitor.

It is worth noting that the Garmin Heart Rate monitor can only connect via ANT+. While the Wahoo Heart Rate monitor can connect via ANT+ and Bluetooth to external apps and devices. This is important especially if you are riding in Zwift with an iPad or with Apple TV: these devices cannot receive ANT+, only Bluetooth. So they will read your Kickr data but not your Garmin HR data.

If you enjoyed this article, there are two other guides I wrote that could be helpful to you. Don’t hesitate to have a look:

• Don’t want to pay for indoor cycling? See how to use your Kickr without a monthly subscription

Can you use Wahoo Kickr without Zwift? (or any paid app)

• A photo guide to help you change put and remove a cassette on your Wahoo Kickr

Changing Wahoo Kickr cassette: what you need to know