Setup & Installation Guide

FTMS Datafields are a special type of Garmin app called a datafield. They don’t appear as standalone apps in your watch’s activity list. Instead, you add them as a data screen inside one of Garmin’s built-in activities (Bike Indoor, Treadmill, Elliptical, Row Indoor, etc.).

This guide walks you through:

• Installing the FTMS datafield
• Adding it to a Garmin activity
• Starting an activity and connecting to your smart trainer
• Configuring which metrics appear on the screen

Before You Start

• A compatible Garmin watch that supports Connect IQ datafields
• The Garmin Connect and Connect IQ app on your phone, or Garmin Express on your computer
• An FTMS-compatible smart trainer (bike, elliptical, rower, stepper, or treadmill)

Activity recording will be delivered to Connect. Connect IQ or Garmin Express is required to configure application settings.

Step 1 — Install the FTMS Datafield

You can install the datafield from the Garmin Connect IQ Store:

• Open the Connect IQ Store app on your phone, or visit the store on the web
• Find the FTMS datafield for your device type (Bike, Elliptical, Rower, etc.)
• Tap Download / Install and select your Garmin watch
• Sync your watch so the datafield is copied over

Step 2 — Add the Datafield to an Activity

Next, you’ll add the FTMS datafield as a page inside one of the native Garmin activities (for example: Bike Indoor, Elliptical, Row Indoor, or Treadmill).

1. On your watch, open a native activity (e.g., Bike Indoor).
2. Open the Menu (button or long-press, varies by model).
3. Select Activity Settings (or Settings for that activity).
4. Choose Data Screens.
5. Scroll to Add New (the + option) and add a new page.
6. Select Custom Data.
7. On the layout screen, choose the full-page layout (a single large field) and press Select.
8. Press Select again to choose fields for that page.
9. Scroll to Connect IQ Fields and choose the appropriate FTMS datafield.
10. Optional but recommended: move this new page to the top of your data screens list so it appears first when you start the activity.

You can repeat this process for each activity where you’d like to use the FTMS Datafield.

Note:Only add the datafield to a Full Screen by itself. A common mistake is to add the datafield to an existing page that contains multiple fields. The Datafield requires the whole screen and will draw it's own six-cell grid layout of metrics. Placing it in a segmented screen layout will cause the app to display strangely.

Step 3 — Start the Activity & Scan for Your Trainer

Once the datafield has been added to an activity:

1. Go to the activity on your watch (e.g., Bike Indoor).
2. Swipe or tap until you see the FTMS Datafield screen.
3. Wait a few seconds—your watch will start scanning for nearby FTMS devices.

When a compatible smart trainer is detected, the screen shows:

• The device name
• A rough indication of signal strength (to help distinguish between multiple devices)

If more than one FTMS trainer is detected, the datafield will rotate through each device every few seconds so you can see which ones are available.

Note:Datafield apps do not allow for any direct interaction from the user. They cannot intercept button press or screen tap events, so there is no way to implement on device menus or controls. It can only respond to native signals, like start or stop workout, etc.

Step 4 — Connect and Start Recording

Once the FTMS Datafield is showing your trainer’s name:

1. Press Start on your watch to begin the activity.
2. The datafield will connect to the currently displayed trainer via Bluetooth.
3. Metrics from the smart trainer will begin streaming into the datafield.

During the workout, the FTMS Datafield shows 6 configurable cells of metrics., providing visibility to the data received from the trainer.

Step 5 — Configure Which Metrics Are Displayed

You can choose which metrics appear in each of the 6 fields (speed, distance, power, cadence, incline, resistance, etc.) using the Connect IQ app, or Garmin Express:

• Open the FTMS datafield settings on your phone or computer.
• Look for options like Field 1, Field 2, etc.
• Select the desired metric for each field.
• Sync your watch to apply the changes.

Not all FTMS machines support every possible metric. For example:

• Elliptical and treadmill trainers may support incline.
• Some bikes support power but not incline.
• Rowers may support distance, pace, and power.

If your machine does not support a particular metric, that value may stay at zero or not change during the workout.

Tips & Troubleshooting

• Can’t find the datafield?
  Remember: FTMS Datafields are added as data screens inside activities. They will not appear in your main app list.
• Trainer not appearing?
  Make sure the trainer is not already connected to your phone, tablet, or another device. The FTMS protocol for Smart trainers allows only one Bluetooth connection at a time.
• Still having trouble?
  See the FAQ & Troubleshooting page for compatibility checks, BleScan instructions, and common issues.

Once you’ve confirmed that your trainer and FTMS Datafield are working together, you can take things further with Dynamic Training Profiles—automated intervals, hills, and custom workouts powered directly from your watch.

Learn more here: Dynamic Training Profiles Guide.

Terms & Conditions  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact