FTMS Compatible Equipment & Garmin

What Is FTMS?

FTMS — the Fitness Machine Service Profile — is an open Bluetooth Low Energy standard published by the Bluetooth SIG. It defines a common language that fitness equipment (bikes, treadmills, rowers, ellipticals, steppers, stair climbers) can use to broadcast live metrics and accept control commands over BLE.

Because it is an open standard, any device that speaks FTMS — a Garmin watch, a phone, a tablet — can connect to any FTMS-compatible machine, regardless of brand. This is what allows the FTMS Data Fields apps to read power, cadence, speed, incline, and resistance directly from your equipment and record it into your Garmin activity.

In product documentation, FTMS support is typically described as:

• "FTMS" or "BLE FTMS"
• "Bluetooth Smart Trainer"
• "Fitness Machine Profile"
• Compliance with the Bluetooth SIG Fitness Machine Service specification

If your machine's manual or spec sheet uses any of these terms, it is a candidate for FTMS connection. The safest next step is always to test with the free trial.

Garmin's BLE Stack Has Limitations — Please Test First

This is the most important thing to understand before purchasing an unlock: not every FTMS-capable machine connects successfully to a Garmin watch, even if it works perfectly with a phone or tablet FTMS app.

Garmin implements Bluetooth Low Energy inside its Connect IQ environment with restrictions that differ from Android or iOS. Specifically:

• Some BLE notification and indication types that are freely available to Android apps are not accessible to Connect IQ data fields.
• Garmin's BLE connection management limits the number of simultaneous services a data field can interact with.
• Older Garmin device firmware versions have stricter BLE constraints than newer ones. Updating your watch firmware is often worth trying if a connection fails.
• Some equipment manufacturers implement FTMS with proprietary extensions or partial compliance. A device may advertise FTMS but not implement the full standard.
• Due to recent laws in some regions, newer fitness machines may require a secure encrypted connection before passing data. Garmin Connect IQ does not yet allow secure pairing of FTMS devices.

The result: a machine that works flawlessly with Zwift or a phone-based FTMS app may fail to connect to, or may only partially work with, a Garmin data field. This is not something we can fully work around at the app level — it depends on the Garmin model, the firmware version, and how the equipment manufacturer implemented FTMS.

Brands That Have Released FTMS-Compatible Equipment

The following brands have released products that include FTMS Bluetooth support in at least part of their lineup. This is not a compatibility list. It reflects publicly documented FTMS support in some of their products — not a guarantee that any specific model will work with a Garmin watch. Check your machine's manual or specification sheet for FTMS support and test with the free trial before purchasing.

Rowing Machines

• Concept2 – The RowErg, BikeErg, and SkiErg with the PM5 performance monitor support FTMS over Bluetooth. Concept2 PM5 is among the most-tested configurations with this app. Verify you have a PM5 (not PM4 or earlier); earlier monitors do not support FTMS.
• WaterRower – Selected connected models support FTMS. Check the product specification for Bluetooth FTMS support.
• NOHrD – The SlimBeam and selected WaterRower-derived models include FTMS Bluetooth support.

Indoor Bikes & Smart Trainers

• Wahoo – KICKR smart trainers broadcast via FTMS over Bluetooth. The KICKR, KICKR CORE, and KICKR SNAP are commonly used with FTMS apps.
• Tacx (Garmin) – Tacx Neo and Flux series trainers support FTMS. Note that as a Garmin-owned brand, Tacx trainers may have specific Garmin integration paths — test to confirm which integration gives you the metrics you want.
• Elite – Selected smart trainers and rollers support FTMS Bluetooth.
• Bowflex – The C6 and VeloCore bikes support FTMS through the JRNY platform.
• Schwinn – Selected IC series bikes support FTMS Bluetooth.

Treadmills

• NordicTrack – Newer iFIT-connected treadmill models include FTMS Bluetooth support. Check your model's connectivity specifications.
• Bowflex – Selected treadmill models include FTMS Bluetooth.
• Technogym – Connected gym equipment from Technogym increasingly supports FTMS, particularly newer commercial models.

Ellipticals & Cross-Trainers

• Bowflex – Selected Max Trainer models support FTMS.
• NordicTrack – Selected iFIT elliptical models include FTMS support.

Steppers & Stair Climbers

• TRX – The TRX QUAKE and selected TRX connected training machines include FTMS Bluetooth support. TRX has expanded into connected cardio equipment that implements the FTMS standard.
• StairMaster – Selected commercial StairMaster models support FTMS. Check the specification for your model.

Note: Brand presence on this list reflects publicly documented FTMS support in some portion of a brand's product line, based on manufacturer documentation available at time of writing. Product specifications change. We do not maintain relationships with any of these manufacturers and have not tested all models. Always verify with your specific machine's documentation and test with the free trial.

Compatibility FAQ

Does Concept2 work with Garmin?

If your Concept2 has a PM5 monitor, it supports FTMS over Bluetooth and should be discoverable by the FTMS Rowing data field. PM4 and older monitors do not support FTMS. Install the free trial and attempt a connection — the app will tell you immediately whether it finds your rower.

Does my Wahoo KICKR work with Garmin?

Wahoo KICKR trainers broadcast FTMS over Bluetooth and have worked with the FTMS Biking data field for many users. As with any equipment, test with the free trial first to confirm your specific KICKR model and firmware connect correctly to your Garmin model.

Does NordicTrack / iFIT equipment work with Garmin?

Newer NordicTrack treadmills and ellipticals with iFIT connectivity include FTMS Bluetooth support. Compatibility varies by model and firmware version. Check your machine's Bluetooth connectivity specifications and test with the free trial.

Does TRX equipment work with Garmin?

TRX has produced connected cardio equipment with FTMS Bluetooth support. If your TRX machine's documentation lists FTMS Bluetooth connectivity, it should be discoverable. As always, verify with the free trial.

My equipment says it has Bluetooth — why doesn't it connect?

Bluetooth and FTMS Bluetooth are not the same thing. Many machines use Bluetooth for proprietary apps (manufacturer-specific protocols) rather than the open FTMS standard. If your machine only works with its own branded app and not with third-party FTMS apps, it likely does not implement FTMS. Check the specification sheet specifically for FTMS or Fitness Machine Profile support.

My equipment connects on my phone but not on my Garmin — why?

This is Garmin's BLE stack limitation described above. Connect IQ operates within a more restricted Bluetooth environment than Android or iOS. Some FTMS operations that work on a phone may not be accessible to a Garmin data field. There is no fix for this at the app level — it depends on your Garmin model, firmware version, and how the equipment implements FTMS. First, ensure your Garmin firmware is fully up to date. See the FAQ & Troubleshooting page for diagnostic steps.

Can I request that a specific machine be supported?

Compatibility improvements are possible within the constraints of what Garmin Connect IQ permits. If you encounter a specific connection failure, report it via [email protected] with your machine model, Garmin model, and firmware versions. We investigate patterns and improve the app where the platform allows it — but cannot guarantee a fix for any specific device.

The Right Way to Test Compatibility

Install the free trial, add it to your activity, and attempt a connection with your equipment. If it connects and shows the metrics you want, you can unlock with confidence. If it doesn't, you owe nothing.