In both cases, you cannot have the Apple Watch sync directly to the Wahoo Fitness app or to a Wahoo device (like a GPS bike computer or sports watch). There are however ways around to have your heart rate finally sent to the fitness app. I will explain later which device and apps you can use to act as a bridge. So keep reading \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can an Apple Watch connect to a Wahoo Elemnt bike GPS?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
An Apple Watch cannot directly connect to a Wahoo Bolt or any other Wahoo ELEMNT bike GPS. The only way to do so is to use another device to act as a bridge. The iPhone itself can also act as a bridge thanks to dedicated apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am now going to cover these solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to send my Apple Watch heart rate to Wahoo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To send your heart rate from the watch to your Wahoo Elemnt, there are two options: one hardware and one software. Although the software solution is free, the hardware solution is more stable. Let’s review these two options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a device – Paid option<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Many people have difficulties having their heart rate broadcast from the Apple Watch to their Wahoo Elemnt, Zwift, or Peloton. To tackle this issue, a company made a “pod” to act as a bridge between the Apple Watch and other devices. This device is called the Watch Link Pod<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n It is more expensive than an iPhone app, but it also proves to be more stable and more convenient. Indeed, you won’t need to re-pair your Watch every now and then with the pod as you may need with iPhone apps. The pod will simply appear as a heart rate monitor as any heart rate strap would.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As your Apple Watch heart rate will appear as a regular heart rate strap, you will also be able to connect it to the Wahoo Fitness App thanks to the Watch Link pod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To have your Apple Watch HR sent to Wahoo, you can use the HeartCast app<\/a><\/strong>. Compared to the Watch Link Pod, this option has the benefit of being free. However, you will find online testimonies of people saying it’s a bit unstable or at least tedious to use.<\/p>\n\n\n Indeed, every time you use HeartCast, you will need to make sure your Wahoo Elemnt is not connected to your phone by another app (such as Wahoo Fitness). You need to have your device connected only to HeartCast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But it makes sense to use Wahoo apps with your Wahoo devices. So in the end you will be connecting and disconnecting your devices often depending on the context. Unfortunately, we all know that Bluetooth pairing can sometimes be tedious… <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can alternatively use an app called Echo Watch Heart Rate Monitor<\/a>. But the latter is free for 20 minutes workout only, which only allows you to test the app. If you are convinced, the app costs $19.99. Similarly to HeartCast, Echo cannot be used to connect to apps that are running on the same iPhone as Echo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That means you can connect your Wahoo Elemnt to Echo, but you cannot have the Wahoo Fitness app connect to the Apple Watch at the same time as Echo. If you have only one iPhone available, then Watch Link Pod is the only solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note that if you own a Wahoo Kickr to use with Zwift, Zwift apps are able to connect to both your Kickr and Apple Watch. If you own an iPhone you can do that with Zwift app (the orange one). For all other devices (including iPad, Mac and PC), you will be able to do so with the Zwift companion app (the blue one).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Though the solutions I provide above do work. Heart rate monitors from watches are less accurate than straps HRM. Especially in highly intensive workouts. If you want to track your heart rate with higher precision, I highly recommend buying the Polar H10 strap<\/a>. It will be even more accurate than using dedicated sports watches, even the ones from Garmin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another article that may be interesting to you if you own an Apple Watch:<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/joyfultriathlete.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/connect_apple_watch_heart_rate_to_wahoo-edited.jpg\")
With an iPhone app – Free option<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/joyfultriathlete.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/heartcast_apple_watch_to_wahoo.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAlternative app: Echo<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Note about Zwift:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
About using an Apple Watch as HRM for working out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n