Explore the World by Bowflex

Information for this app indicates it will sync with Apple Health. But, though it appears I have this set up correctly (not a simple or intuitive process), things are not synchronizing. There appears to be no support. Even the link to “app support” here in the App Store just goes to Bowflex hardware sales and support — not to Nautilus or Schwinn or to anyone who might know this app. I’ve paid for the upgraded version and really like the rides, themselves. These do pair well with my bike (Schwinn IC4), from a riding experience. However, with a ton of different rides, there’s no way to filter or favorite anything. Just a long long scrolling block of many many nice visual, interactive places to ride. Super frustrating not to be able to sync ride data with Apple Health. But kudos on the ride visuals. Very nice — and so much better to explore all of these wonderful locations … than to have some intense fitness instructor yelling at me to go full out or to stand up on the bike or to push myself harder. ;-)

I was happy to find something that was reported to sync data from my Nautilus U618 upright stationary bike to the Apple health app. Having recently purchased an Apple Watch series 7, I wanted all my data to sync up correctly. After trying this out though, I’ve noticed that it doesn’t sync calories burned with Apple fitness. I’ve had to manually enter the results from this app into my activity in Apple health- BUT it STILL doesn’t recognize this for my fitness scores/ rings. It will only automatically sync the time worked out. I also don’t feel a necessity to utilize the virtual tours, but this seems to be the only way to use this app. The app also records the bikes incorrect and constant maximum heart rate, versus my real heart rate ( which I can see on my watch ) - the U618’s heart rate sensors have always read that I’m working out at my maximum heart rate whenever I grab them - since I bought the machine a few years ago- I always knew those readings were always wrong. Maybe there should be better integration with the Apple Watch? I’ve tried other indoor cycling apps and they at least report and sync with Health, although I feel they fall very short on what should realistically be calories burned.

The graphics are beautiful, but that’s about it at this point. There are a very limited amount of videos, and so far all of these videos are with video only, no sound. I used this app for stationary bike Bowflex C-6. There’s not much information when using the app, such as your RPM, heart rate, resistance, etc. All you have are the total distance on the lower left, and total eclipsed time on the lower right. Pressing on the screen also gives you a brief glimpse of speed, but would fade away after 3 or 4 seconds. Now, I’ve also been using FulGaz for the same bike. Also graphic on FulGaz doesn’t seem as good as this app, it’s got a whole lot more of them, and they actually have sound. The FulGaz app user interface also provides more information such as remaining distance, remaining time, your heart rate, resistance, etc. Although it may not be accurate but it still gives useful information during usage. This is not an advertisement for FulGaz but rather it’s strictly my personal opinion. I’d prefer FulGaz to this app at this point in time. However, this app does have potential to be great, if more videos are added, with sound, and more information displayed.