Connecting to Smart Treadmill

Garmin is very weak on the "Connect to Gym machines" part in general. 

So unless your treadmill can present itself as a footpod - you are out of luck. And even if it can - it might only support "single destination" - so IF watch could connect to your TM - you might loose the Zwift connection.

I do wish Garmin (Like Apple and Samsung) would start working with indoor Gym machine standards so ALL Garmin watches could read "Indoor Equipment for winter training - and NOT limit readings based on Watch type. 

Winter/Indoor training is vastly different too outdoor "performance" training - so it makes sense for all training watches to support all indoor trainers. There should not be a need for a specialist cycle or Multi-training watches like F6 to read bike trainers, TM's, rowers and other indoor training accessories. 

Bluetooth can only connect to 1 device at a time. If the connection is taken by Zwift, then it isn't available to the watch. You could try connecting to the watch before opening Zwift, then use Virtual Run to re-broadcast pace and HR from the watch to Zwift.

The smart bike probably has ANT+ and BLE, so it can connect to both simultaneously.

I have the BXT226 also (congrats btw) 

Sadly it only connects via Zwift and other apps via a tablet or phone /laptop. It does not connect directly to the watch itself. 

My wife had the same struggles. But she bought a Stryd Pod, which can be used indoors and outdoors and provides acurate pace and distance to the watch. Its paired via ANT+ to the F6 and via Bluetooth to the tablet running Zwift. Works perfectly fine.

I will said however, virtual running / zwift works like a charm

The NPE Runn is a great piece of kit. Was a little finicky early on, but the latest firmwares have been reliable. It easily attaches to a treadmill and broadcasts speed, cadence (via ANT+ Running Dynamics profile) and even incline (accepted via an ConnectIQ data field). Zwift even sells them on their store. 

This is the way to go. 

Thanks all. I have a foot pod and Zwift works great. Just really fancied using the running machine in front of a GP, Rugby or Football game and just recording on the Garmin.

Seems like a small change given the treadmill is broadcasting speed, it works with my spin bike and rowing machine.

It’s almost a perfect watch. I use for, running, pool and open water swimming, road and mountain bike cycling, weights, skiing and snowboarding, surfing and SUP boarding; I’ll let Garmin off on the pack of treadmill connectivity.

As noted by kaz911, Garmin has failed to implement support for Gym Connect (aka FEC profile used by smart treadmills)... 

I have a Woodway which connects to Zwift via BLE... It also connects to my F6 via Ant+ however no data is recorded due to the lack of support. The setup should work and would be ideal. 

I also have the NPE RUNN device but did not want to stick it onto my treadmill. 

I confirmed with NPE they are considering pushing the same ant+ profiles used by the RUNN (e.g. Footpod) to their GEM modules used by Woodway, and likely most other smart treadmills, so it may be coming at some point early next year.