As an Apple nerd first and a person who wants to workout second, GymKit equipment is super encouraging. For everyone else with an Apple Watch, it’s the best way to sync up workout data, like heart rate, distance, and calories, that might not otherwise be available or accurate.

GymKit

Depending on who you ask, GymKit is either dead or very nice to have. I don’t think GymKit has really taken to home gym equipment except for Peloton (Bike+ only, not Tread). It also takes years for gyms to cycle through their equipment.

The GymKit slow roll started five years ago, and GymKit availability at Planet Fitness still varies by location. When you spot it, GymKit equipment is easy to use. Just wave your Apple Watch near the machine’s reader, allowing you to pair. Then starting/pausing/ending a workout from the machine matches the state on the watch (and vice versa).

The GymKit part is labeled with a watch

Wallet

Another perk since the last time we were a member? Digital keycards in Apple Wallet.

Years ago, We made our pass for the Wallet app so we could check in using our watch without our phone. Far less obsessed with trying to shoehorn the phone’s functionality into the watch now.

Still, it’s very nice being able to pull up and have the pass appear on the lock screen one tap away. And if we do want to leave our phone in the car or check in from the watch, that’s easily doable.

This is something Planet Fitness does do well. Membership cards aren’t available in Apple Wallet but are digitally available in the gym’s phone and watch apps.

Apple Watch

We can also mention here that we recently tried to pull off run tracking without the watch. We already knew this, but using a run-tracking app on the phone was not ideal.

The biggest factor for us is that the iPhone has the lock screen in between you and the run tracking app. Live Activities may help on the phone, but the watch is optimized for workout tracking.

The point? Working out is more fun with the Apple Watch, and gyms that have GymKit treadmills and ellipticals are true… gems.