Virtual run vs. direct sensor connection for Zwift?

Weighing up whether or not to use the Virtual Run feature to interface a gym treadmill through to Zwift.

I can either use my normal outdoor setup (fenix 6 Pro, HR monitor and Garmin foot pod) and the Virtual Run profile to bluetooth link with the Zwift iPhone app, OR as I've done previously skip the watch entirely and directly connect the Zwift iPhone app to my bluetooth HR monitor along with replacing my foot pod with a Zwift bluetooth one again directly connected.

When using the direct connection there's a bit of a faff to start with running through the Zwift calibration, but once this is done it works well enough. Would I presume this isn't necessary if using the already calibrated Garmin setup (auto-calibrated from outside running) or still worth doing due to differences indoors vs outdoors and differing treadmill's accuracy?

Again when using the direct connection the treadmill run data ends up in Garmin Connect via a sync from Zwift, albeit with slightly less detailed stats.

Any other pro's/con's for one way vs. the other? Opinion on which is preferred / easiest / most reliable? Thanks.

0 eezytiger over 3 years ago

I can't say which option is better for you, but if you're exploring options, here's what I do for Zwift running with my Bluetooth tablet and Fenix 6X Pro Solar...

I use a Stryd footpod and Garmin HRM-PRO chest strap. I direct connect Stryd and HRM-PRO to the tablet with Bluetooth and also to my Fenix 6X via ANT+. There is no calibration required each time. I just activate my sensors and get on with running.

So I am dual recording to Zwift, which feeds data on to Strava, and Garmin Connect which goes nowhere else.

The Zwift-Strava stuff is where I pay attention to annual mileage, elevation gain, segments (from Zwift and real life running/cycling/walking) and it's my public/social platform.

The stuff in Garmin Connect is just for me and my performance - training load, stress, recovery, calories, VO2, FTP etc.. It's more about me and my body rather than distances, speeds and heights, which are impossible to track meaningfully in Garmin from the simulated world of Zwift.

Yes, feeding data from Zwift to Garmin does close that gap somewhat, but then, as you say, other data goes missing. I tried it your way for less than a week and gave up. The missing physiological data wasn't worth the "simplification" of the data flow.

I've been using Zwift (cycling) for almost six years, running rather less, and I'm happy with my solution.

0 EnormoDerClown over 3 years ago in reply to eezytiger

Doing the Same. Also because Zwift does Not record running Power of the stryd, so you would have to use the watch for that.

In General i would tend to use virtual running, because Garmin is Not using Zwift Data for Challenges and such and because of the callibration you mentioned.