Are there any treadmills with accessible companion iOS apps?

Hi Chowder, I look forward to that answer too. I have a Nordictrack (forgive spelling) which I had to get tactually marked in order to use. It has a screen with miles walked, calories, etc, which I cannot read. So an app that may work with it would be nice.

There is a fully accessible treadmill, i use it all the time. The only issue being it is quite expensive for a treadmill. The TechnoGym MYRUN, is controlled by an iOS app that works well with VoiceOVer. I can do everything from create custom workouts, to locking the speed o the treadmill to my heart rate, so it will increase or decrease the speed to keep my heart rate within a set zone. Can get real time distance, speed, pace etc too.

However, as well as the expense. It keeps all the data locked into its own app. This is the bit i really don't like as i cant export it into other training systems to track progress.

The great news? There is a cheaper and better solution. The treadmill you want is a NordicTrack, specifically any model with one touch speed and incline. This will allow you to use sticker bump ons or braille to tag the physical controls. So at the touch of one button you can change the speed of the treadmill to say 10kph and an incline of 3%.

This of course has one downfall, no real time data. There are a number of solutions to this and it depends how much money you want to throw at the problem.

The slickest and easiest is probably to buy a Garmin Footpod, buy this used off eBay. Then you will need an Ant+ to Bluetooth bridge. There are two choices for this, the 4iiii heart rate monitor or a dedicated Ant+ to Bluetooth smart bridge such as the CABLE.

I currently have the CABLE on order to fully test that setup.

ow you need an app on the iPhone called Wahoo Fitness. This will see the Garmin Footpod through either the CABLE or 4iiii. This will allow you to get real time distance, pace, calories and HR if you used the 4iiii. You can also add some other bluetooth sensors to collect even more data.

Wahoo Fitness works fantastically well with VoiceOver and has a very slick system for giving audio updates as you workout. It also allows you to export your data to many fitness apps as well as access the raw data to import into something like Golden Cheetah.

I have made a number of pieces of fitness equipment accessible, using combinations of bluetooth sensors and the Wahoo app. From spin bikes, to turbo's to the treadmill.

If you have any detailed questions happy to answer on here or on a call.

This is a good idea. Honestly, I assumed nothing like this really existed. I personally would be more interested in a stationary bike as opposed to a treadmill. Any thoughts?

Hi,
I've got the Lifespan TR1200I treadmill. No app control, but it's got physical buttons for changing settings, speed, incline, changing programs, etc. It's really nice, runs quiet, and honestly I don't really need an iOS app. I just get on, go for a little while, stop it or keep it paused and get on at a later time. So far, no issues from me.

I have an exercise bike and a treadmill, both with touch sensors. I put braille labels on both and control them that way. I have a talking watch that times me and I count cycles per minute using the watch while riding the bike.

Yes, it would be nice if there were talking solutions for exercise equipment, but it is certainly possible to work out with some simple modifications.

After exercising I enter my workouts manually on the iPhone.

--Pete

So I wonder if there is a case for saying a gym is not ADA compliant unless it gets some of these sensors? I work for a college and I do wish our gym would have some accessible equipment. Instead of bugging the poor folks who run the gym though, I wonder if manufacturers could be persuaded to make their equipment more accessible to market ADA compliance?

I’m an active user on the Apple Watch. I track my workouts on there using fitness apps. Considering a treadmill, what are you guys using that are accessible or have made accessible?was

While reading this post on accessible treadmills this morning, One thing lead to another and I found the stationary bike listed above. Apparently, this type of bike simulates the ride outside, whether on a flat road or any level of terrain. It forces you to utilize your core muscles, just as you would if riding outdoors. I'm wondering whether or not anyone has any familiarity with this bike and if the display is accessible via an iPhone app.

To update this thread:

Treadmill:

This is now simpler. You can purchase a MileStonePod, which, is a Bluetooth foot pod. This will give you realtime audio pace and distance while on the treadmill. Use the Wahoo Fitness app to configure and use. Costs around $30.

For an actual treadmill, anything with physical buttons that you can use bumpons.

Indoor bike:

The Wahoo Kickr is still the best. You will need to supply your own road bike to attach to the system. But 100% accessible. Realtime audio pace, distance, power, cadence everything you could even imagine needing.

Apple Watch:

I do use this on the treadmill, not as accurate as the MileStonePod, but relatively ok.

Hello Simon. Thanks for updating your current hardware recommendations for us.

It should be noted that, when I wen to Amazon.com to look up the MileStonePod, it was priced at $119.00 and not the $30.00 previously mentioned. Upon further investigation, I discovered that MileStonePod was bought by Zwift, back in November, 2018. The new version is now called Zwift RunPod and is sold on Amazon.com for $30.00.

HTH

I realize this thread is related to treadmills, but I thought I'd post my experiences with the Bowflex Max Trainer, in case someone is interested.

I own the Bowflex Max Trainer M7 model. When I was making my purchase, there were the M3, M5, and M7 models, with the M7 being the top of the line at the time.

The bowflex Max Trainer app for iOS works very well with the unit. The trainer's display has tactile buttons on it that can sort of be used by the blind to control some things. I had sighted assistance in setting up the display for the first time, but upon reflection, I don't think it would have been necessary.

there are several programs in the display that can be used. With some counting, you can get to the desired program. Personally, I just use the Max button, located in the top row of buttons, middle button, to start the typical 14 minute workout, which has 8 intervals. When the button is first pressed, this is your first interval. What I do is warm up on the floor first, then mount the unit and take several steps on the trainer, without starting the Max Trainer session. When I'm ready, I hit the Max Trainer button and begin my first sprint interval.

Note: since I can't see the display, what I have done is to use thick elastic hair bands on the top portion of the arm. Since there are 8 intervals, I added 8 hair ties. when an interval is complete, which is indicated by a bell, then I slide a hair band to the bottof of the bar to keep track of where I am. The rocker handle bars on the unit pivot at the mid point. When sliding the hair band downward, it will only go so far so it will not fall off.

I use my apple watch workout app to track my heart rate. I start an Other workout for a Max Trainer session.

The unit comes with a Bluetooth heart rate chest strap. I don't use this as I feel it wouldn't be very effective on me as a woman. Instead, I use the cardio grips on the unit after each sprint interval is complete so that the app has heart rate data to show. Ultimately, however, I use the highest heart rate data from my Apple watch to plug into my Excel spread sheet that I created to keep track of my stats. You can track your stats in the Journal tab of the app but I prefer a spread sheet view instead.

Since purchasing the M7 model, they have released the M8 now. This unit has a redesigned display that will now talk to you and works with Bluetooth headsets during a workout. This display requires an annual subscription to maximize the learning of the computer as you go; however, there are some programs within the unit that can be used without the subscription. Your purchase of the M8 comes with a one year subscription included. The annual subscription is $149.99. If you own the M7 model, the display can be upgraded for $299.99, which includes the first year subscription in the purchase.

I have watched a Youtube demo of the M8 display in action and the voice included is very good. I haven't upgraded but if finances allow, I will be doing so.

If you made it this far, I commend you for reading my long post. I can tell you that, despite the limitations of the M7 model, I believe that it is still completely useable for a totally blind person. If you want a copy of my Excel spreadsheet for your own use, I'd be happy to share. If you have more questions, I'll help the best I am able.

Update: 08/29/2019.

Bowflex has now released the Bowflex Max Trainer Total. This unit is an improvement over the M8 model, in that, two roller wheels are used on each side for movement of the pedals. They also use a Samsung Tablet for consoul interactions. I spoke with a rep, who was kind enough to open up her version of the tablet. She checked the accessibility features and confirmed that there are voice and low vision features available. My thoughts are that, thisd would be the best of both worlds, for two reasons. First, you have the most stats being tracked, including cardio and strength. Previous models didn't track strength, just cardio. But with the new addition of another location to place your hands, they now track how hard you push/pull with your arms, which turns into greater caloric burn metrics. Finally, because they are using a Samsung tablet with voice features, we should be able to interact with the programs, as well as receive the verbal feedback of the Max Intelligence voice, to know just how hard we are working. Currently, on my M7 model, all I have is the bell to work for. All other metrics are tracked by my watch and the Max Trainer app, which has no voice.

I so want to upgrade my unit.

I make sure my phone is in my shorts' pocket before starting my thirty minutes on the treadmill. I check the Health app for distance. It's usually about 2.2 miles.

Hello,

My girlfriend wants to buy a treadmill. Are there treadmills with bluetooth connection that are accessible with your iPhone to read the information and to make running programs directly via the app on your iPhone. I saw a treadmill that make it possible to create your own traject with google maps.....:
https://www.flowfitness.com/en/run-on-earth/

Regards

Hello,
For about a year now I am using a treadmill from China called X-FIT 118. It works great with my iPhone 8. There is an application called FitShow Lite and it works fine. The servers had a problem many months ago to register your log in (if you wanted to save your stats online) but otherwise it worked fine. You can do all the classical stuff you would expect plus different programs. At the end of the workout, it gives you a summary of distance, time, calories, max speed, average speed and pace and maybe one or two more which I cannot remember.
Cheers.

Hello everyone! I have read all the previous comments and i need an advice! I am runing outdoor frequently and i am satisfied with my apple watch 8 results. But when i am runing on my treadmill the pace and the distance are inacurate. I tried everything: i reset fitness and motion data, i recalibrate it but there are still many seconds and metres differences. What do you recomend me? Can you tell me a footpod which works well with iphone and apple watch! Thank you so much in advance!