Pairing a heart rate sensor
Connecting a heart rate sensor is done via Bluetooth Broadcasting and is only possible with the CycleMasters App for iPhone, iPad, or Android phones and tablets. It is important to ensure that Bluetooth is enabled on your device before you establish a connection.
First pairing
The first time you connect your heart rate sensor to CycleMasters, you can pair your heart rate sensor. In subsequent times, you can then connect to previously paired devices. When pairing a heart rate sensor, we distinguish between different types of sensors.
- Apple Watch
- Heart rate monitors (arm, chest)
- Sport watches with heart rate function
The way of connecting may vary per type of sensor. In the following steps, we explain how to pair each type of device with the CycleMasters app.
Pairing an Apple Watch
Pairing an Apple Watch is done via Apple Health. This allows you to see your heart rate values during the class, as well as synchronize your activity with Apple Health after the class. This way, a CycleMasters workout counts towards your activity statistics and closing your activity ring. Pairing an Apple Watch can be done by following these steps:
- Open the CycleMasters app and select menu > pair sensors
- If you haven't paired a device before, you can choose which type of heart rate sensor you want to pair it with here.
Choose the device type 'Apple Watch'
- Give the CycleMasters app access to Apple Health
Fill in your age and (if known) your maximum heart rate. If you do not know your maximum heart rate, leave this field blank so we can calculate it for you.
- Your Apple Watch is now connected
Pair a Heart rate belt or Sports watch with heart rate function
A heart rate band usually does not have physical on-off buttons. Often you activate the heart rate band by putting it on, and you can tell if the band is on by small lights on the sensor. Once you have the band on and it is on, you can begin pairing.
To pair a watch with heart rate functionality, it is important that your watch supports sharing or broadcasting heart rate data. This is a feature that is becoming more common, but unfortunately not yet supported by all manufacturers. Simply put, this feature allows you to share the heart rate measured by your watch with other apps and devices. How to activate this mode varies by brand and type of watch. So consult the manual or online support of your watch for this. Below is a link to the relevant info from some common brands:
Pairing can be done through the menu of the app, or by tapping the 'hr icon' at a lesson. (screenshot) In the steps below, we'll explain how to pair a sensor from the menu:
Open the CycleMasters app and choose menu > pair sensors
- If you haven't paired a device before, you can choose which type of heart rate sensor you want to pair from here.
Choose the type of device (Polar or Other)
The following screen automatically searches for available sensors
Choose 'pair' behind the name of your sensor
Fill in your age and (if known) your maximum heart rate. If you do not know your maximum heart rate, leave this field blank so we can calculate it for you.
Your heart rate sensor is now connected. You see the battery percentage of your sensor and your current heart rate.
Starting a class
Have you followed the above steps for Apple Watch, heart rate belt or sports watch? Then you can proceed to the class overview and start your desired workout. Once connected, your heart rate readings will be displayed on screen during a workout. Want to know more about showing your heart rate during a workout? Then click here.