BitGym: Treadmill Cycling Erg

I have been using BitGym for a while but wanted to wait for some time to try most of the trails and features before I leave a review. As others have, I also tried a number of other apps and this one has been the best so far. The trails are great, video quality is excellent on my iPad Pro, and I have not had any issues during the video playback. I am also very happy with the choices of trails and the locations selected. The app controls are extremely easy to use and there is no learning curve. I also appreciate that I can use this app for multiple exercises, running, Elliptical, bike machine, etc. I have all 3 and use the app for every workout. So how could it get better? Really two things. In another very similar app, there is an option to use vibration to detect movement of the user or the speed of movement instead of the iPad/iPhone camera. It would be excellent if BitGym can support this feature as well. The camera does not always work well depending on room lighting and the video sometimes stops mid play thinking the user has stopped. Another improvement would be to work with the older iFit equipment that are audio controlled instead of Bluetooth controlled. There are still many devices like this in use. Overall, I highly recommend this app. It has definitely helped make my workouts more enjoyable as I visit some of the most beautiful and amazing sites around the world!

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I’ve tried 5 or 6 apps with the same concept. This is the best of them so far. However, it stutters a lot, even on a Wi-Fi network, and a lot of times it goes into an “initializing” mode in the middle of a workout and stutters backward through the video. The coached workouts could be improved by not having the coach’s face on there — just the audio (no offense to the coach meant at all — just not all Wi-Fi m earbuds work well with syncing with the video, so this puts the audio out of sync with the mouth moving — we can’t all afford a $160 pair of Apple headphones). So removing the facial video inset would make the coached version work better for a greater majority of people. Also, it would be nice to be able to have the music track separate from the coaching, so then we could use our own music, the same as on the uncoached version. I would also like to see an option for integration with fitness devices like Fitbit. The camera only option doesn’t really do a good job of matching pace. A direct reading from a fitness device would be better. And it could also take heart readings from that, too, and not be limited to an independent heart rate monitor.

I’ve been using BitGym for almost 3 years now and could not be any more enthusiastic about it. I bought a treadmill that was iFit enabled and that software was a disaster, IMO. So I went looking for a similar, video guide of runs and landed on BitGym. The pros: seriously immersive experience. The video quality is fantastic and the routes are gorgeous. I’ve hiked several of the trails irl and it truly brings me back like I’m actually running on thru the forest, along the beach, or in the heart of the city. The interesting facts that pop up are easily enough ignored, but I like them as a way to refocus my mind and learn something new. The cons: it doesn’t sync with my treadmill to automatically raise/lower the incline. Occasionally the app crashes mid-run, though this occurred more often the first year or two I was using it and less often now. Wishlist: for someone to upload marathon and half marathon routes from beginning to end. Not during the actual race, but the route so that I could experience what running the route would actually be like. More trails. Now that users can upload high quality video, I hope to see something like that in a future release. It would also be fantastic to know what cities/trails/hikes are on queue or on a list for eventually, if it gets some users to help out. In all, a 5* app that has been my go-to when I’m training indoors and keeps getting better with time. Definitely a satisfied user!

This app transports me to places around the world, which is a fantastic motivator to walk and work out. Videos perform great, as long as they are downloaded over WiFi first; otherwise, it may stutter (gotten better over time). That stuttering used to lead to skipping to the next segment or course, but that seems to be rectified now. My only complaint would be that the app seems to have lost its iPhone X compatibility with this latest release in iOS 12. The screen is back to a rectangular view, a la the iPhone 8. Will this come back? I miss the wider view, especially on the Road to Hana, Maui, HI course. I’ve used the app throughout the iOS 12 betas, but this is the first bug I’ve seen.

I’ve used the free 10 min runs on this app for years and recently decided to go against my frugal nature and opt for the monthly subscription. I’m not sorry. I live in a farming town in the south...it’s too hot in the summer and cold in the winter as well as lacking in beauty to motivate me to exercise. With this app I get on my treadmill (or rowing machine) and I’m transported to somewhere beautiful and the sound effects make it all that much more real...All in the safety and climate controlled comfort of my own home! It does at times stall but as of now has not been that big of an issue for me. I look forward to my exercise and for that I’m very thankful!