Vo2 max from spin bike?

So I have an hrm, and use an indoor gym spin bike. The bike connects to the HRM, and it displays power, miles, etc. But the Garmin only gets the heart rate data. I am selecting indoor bike activity on the watch. How can I get accurate data? Fwiw, I've only been doing hour long zone 2 rides.

Top Replies

nradov over 1 year ago +1 suggested

If the stationary bike can broadcast power and cadence using industry standard ANT+ or Bluetooth then you can just connect those to your watch like any other sensor. Unfortunately, most gym bikes are garbage…
5643102 over 1 year ago in reply to nradov +1

What do you mean pedals? Is it like the 50$ Amazon item? Sorry I'm totally clueless, not a cyclists, just a weightlifter w foot issues trying to get accurate vo2 numbers.

All Replies

0 nradov over 1 year ago

If the stationary bike can broadcast power and cadence using industry standard ANT+ or Bluetooth then you can just connect those to your watch like any other sensor. Unfortunately, most gym bikes are garbage and don't have those features. The other option is to add your own sensor by installing power meter pedals, but that's only practical on a bike that you own in your home.

0 5643102 over 1 year ago in reply to nradov

It shows power, but I don't think it has cadence. It sometimes connects a trainer to the Garmin.

0 5643102 over 1 year ago in reply to nradov

One question, if the bike has ant and a USB port on the back, can I buy a dongle that will connect to Garmin connect?

0 nradov over 1 year ago in reply to 5643102

You probably can't use a USB port to directly sync workouts from a stationary bike to Garmin Connect. Instead you have to record the workout on a Garmin device using sensors on the bike.

0 5643102 over 1 year ago in reply to nradov

Hmm.. which sensors do I need? I can also maybe apply these to my actual bike. I would just run if I didn't have nagging plantar fasciitis.

0 nradov over 1 year ago in reply to 5643102

As I stated above, you can install power meter pedals on most stationary bikes. That will give you power and cadence transmitted to your Garmin device via ANT+.

0 5643102 over 1 year ago in reply to nradov

What do you mean pedals? Is it like the 50$ Amazon item? Sorry I'm totally clueless, not a cyclists, just a weightlifter w foot issues trying to get accurate vo2 numbers.

0 nradov over 1 year ago in reply to 5643102

They cost rather more than $50. I use Favero Assioma pedals on my bikes but Garmin and other companies also make good ones.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2022/04/power-meter-pedal-buyers-guide.html

I wouldn't get too focused on VO2 Max. Depending on what you're trying to accomplish it might not be the best metric. And even with accurate power data, a Garmin device can only give you a rough estimate. If you want accurate numbers then you can get a real test for around $200 in any sports medicine lab.

0 A. Cardassis over 1 year ago in reply to nradov

I have a 4iii power meter attached to my indoor spin bike realryder and have connected it straight to my watch. When I choose the indoor cycle session it connects and takes power and cadence. Will this trigger a vo2 max increase after a while or does it not work

0 Yerk 9 months ago in reply to nradov

Does my watch connect to such bikes with Bluetooth only as a sensor or does it only work with ANT+ (which I can't find for many bikes)?