It's possible that your Apple Watch is not automatically connecting to our cardio consoles, when tapping on the NFC area on those consoles, while previously this worked.
Most likely this is due to the inactivity of the Gym Equipment functionality on your Apple Watch. When this functionality is not used for a longer time, it will go into a kind of connectivity sleep mode, although the functionality "Detect Gym Equipment" is turned on.
Important: We're currently seeing in social media that many Apple Watch users see the same issues with various gym equipment from multiple brands, especially after updating to WatchOS 26. Many also report that even after less than 24 hours, the auto-connect function again is not working.
In this Article:
Alternative connectivity option
Description
Always make sure that your Apple Watch Bluetooth connection is turned on as well as the "Connects to Apple Watch" logo is shown on the Life Fitness console you want to connect to. Also make sure that your Apple Watch isn't in "Low Power mode".
When holding your Apple Watch in front, or tapping against the NFC area on our consoles:
- it doesn't show the green connectivity icon in your Apple Watch, including a triple beep, and/or,
- it doesn't show an Apple Watch connectivity screen on the Life Fitness console,
then its possible that your Gym Equipment connection was inactive for too long.
Resolution
The resolution process can be done either through your Apple Watch or the iPhone where your Apple Watch is connected to.
Via Apple Watch
Go to the Settings app on your Apple Watch, tap Workout, then turn OFF and then ON the "Detect Gym Equipment" slider.
Via iPhone
In your iPhone, go to the Apple Watch app, under the My Watch settings, first turn OFF and then ON the "Detect Gym Equipment" slider.
Once this is done, the Apple Watch should connect automatically to the console, once tapped, as shown below.
Alternative connectivity option
When the automatic "tap to connect" option doesn't work for possible other reasons or you don't want to turn on the "Detect Gym Equipment" option in your Apple Watch, you can also connect your Apple Watch to the Life Fitness console by opening the Workout app, then holding the Apple Watch near the gym equipment.
Apple Info Reference
https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/use-gym-equipment-apd15b0268fd/watchos
https://support.apple.com/en-ie/108320