Quick guide: 11 best heart rate platforms for gym challenges, group exercise, and gym gamification
Running gym challenges that keep members engaged requires the right technology. We evaluated platforms based on what matters most to gym owners looking to boost gym member retention and create community through movement.
Myzone gives gym owners a complete ecosystem for running heart rate-based challenges that keep members coming back. The platform connects MZ-Switch wearables, Myzone Belts, and now smartwatches through Myzone Go, so members can join challenges without purchasing new hardware.
What sets Myzone apart is how it rewards effort, not just ability. Members earn Myzone Effort Points (MEPs) based on their percentage of maximum heart rate, which means a beginner working in their green zone can compete fairly against an experienced athlete in yellow or red zones. This inclusive approach makes challenges engaging for your entire membership base and supports gym member fitness across levels.
The mBright screens display real-time heart rate tiles during group classes, turning every session into a shared experience. Members see their effort on screen, coaches can adjust programming on the fly, and the Admin Portal surfaces insights on member trends and at-risk members who may need extra support.
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Polar Club offers heart rate tracking designed for group fitness and group exercise classes. The platform displays real-time performance data including heart rate, intensity, and calories burned on gym screens. Members can see their effort during classes, and coaches can set phase-based goals for different sections of a workout.
Polar reports that over 5,000 gyms use its technology, with claims of up to 45% increase in membership retention for facilities that implement heart rate tracking. The system includes post-class summary emails and a gamified experience with zone time trophies. Members need to use Polar heart rate monitors, as the platform does not support third-party smartwatches.
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Garmin Health offers solutions for gyms and fitness facilities that want to incorporate Garmin wearables into their programming. The platform focuses on individual health metrics including heart rate, stress, and activity tracking. Garmin devices are known for accuracy in outdoor activities like running and cycling.
For gym environments, Garmin Health can connect to facility management systems through API integrations. The platform is geared more toward individual performance tracking than group challenges and live leaderboards.
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WHOOP tracks heart rate, sleep, recovery, and strain through a subscription-based membership model. The platform calculates a daily recovery score that tells members how ready their body is for training. WHOOP has introduced a Strength Trainer feature that measures muscular load alongside cardiovascular effort.
WHOOP is designed for individual performance optimization rather than gym-based group challenges. The device does not display live heart rate on gym screens, and there is no built-in leaderboard system for fitness facilities.
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EGYM offers a connected fitness ecosystem that includes smart strength machines, member apps, and trainer tools. The EGYM Cloud connects workout data across equipment, apps, and wearables. The Branded Member App allows gyms to display their own logo and engage members with training plans and activity levels.
The platform includes a BioAge feature that calculates a holistic health score based on fitness, endurance, and strength. EGYM focuses on machine-based training and digital workflows rather than live heart rate challenges and leaderboards.
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Wahoo Fitness produces heart rate monitors including the TICKR and TICKR Fit, which connect via Bluetooth and ANT+ to fitness apps and devices. The TICKR chest strap is one of the lightest options available, and the newer TRACKR Heart Rate model includes a rechargeable battery with over 100 hours of active life.
Wahoo devices connect to third-party apps like Zwift, Peloton, and various training platforms. The company does not offer a gym-specific challenge or leaderboard system, so facilities would need to pair Wahoo hardware with separate software.
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Technogym TeamGo uses AI to help coaches create and manage group training sessions. The Magic Blackboard feature converts handwritten workout notes into digital displays on gym screens. The platform includes guided exercise videos and heart rate tracking during classes.
TeamGo integrates with Technogym equipment and displays workout data on compatible machines. It is designed for facilities with existing Technogym installations.
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Wodify Pulse is a heart rate tracking system that uses Myzone technology, integrated into the Wodify gym management platform. The system displays members' heart rate zones during classes and sends post-workout summaries. Wodify positions Pulse as a way to boost motivation and create community during group sessions.
Since Wodify Pulse runs on Myzone technology, it offers similar effort-based tracking capabilities, with the added benefit of integration into Wodify's broader membership and class management tools.
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Spivi offers leaderboard software for cycling and treadmill-based studios. The platform displays performance data on screens and includes gamification features to motivate members. Spivi Tread tracks treadmill data alongside heart rate for running-focused classes.
The system integrates with leading membership management software and includes a mobile app for members to view results. Spivi is focused on cardio equipment classes rather than general gym challenges.
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FitCollab offers a group heart rate monitoring system with a one-time payment model rather than ongoing subscription fees. The system tracks up to 100 participants simultaneously and displays real-time data on screens. Training reports can be sent to members after each session.
The platform includes a free training mode for open gym sessions and customizable branding with your gym logo.
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AccuroFit offers a heart rate projection system that displays individual and group performance on gym screens. Members can track heart rate zones and calories during sessions, with data syncing to the Accuro Health App for historical tracking.
The system includes multiple receivers and a router for wireless connectivity. AccuroFit is positioned as a display solution rather than a complete challenge and engagement platform.
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| Platform | Smartwatch Integration | Live Gym Leaderboards | At-Risk Member Insights |
Gym challenges create accountability and community that keep members coming back. When members can see their effort on screen alongside others, they feel part of something bigger than a solo workout. This social connection is a key driver of long-term membership.
Effort-based challenges work particularly well because they include members at all fitness levels. A beginner can compete fairly with an advanced athlete when success is measured by personal effort rather than absolute performance. Myzone makes this possible through Myzone Effort Points (MEPs), which reward how hard you work relative to your own maximum heart rate.
Running regular challenges also gives you data on member engagement patterns. You can identify members whose participation is dropping and reach out before they cancel. This proactive approach to retention is more effective than waiting for members to disengage completely. This translates into higher gym member retention and overall membership retention.
The first consideration is whether members can join using their existing devices. Platforms that require proprietary hardware create a barrier to entry. Myzone Go solves this by connecting Apple and Android smartwatches, so members can participate immediately.
Live display capability is essential for group classes and open gym motivation. Look for platforms that show real-time heart rate tiles on gym screens, not just post-workout summaries. This immediate feedback creates energy during sessions.
Admin tools matter as much as member-facing features. You need insights into which members are engaged, which are at risk of leaving, and how your challenges are performing. The Myzone Admin Portal gives gym owners this visibility, turning heart rate data into actionable business intelligence.
Myzone stands apart because it was built specifically for the gym environment, not adapted from consumer fitness tracking. The entire ecosystem, from wearables to mBright screens to the Admin Portal, is designed to drive member engagement and retention.
The introduction of Myzone Go removes the biggest barrier to participation. Members can now join challenges using their existing smartwatches, which means faster onboarding and lower equipment costs for both gyms and members. This opens heart rate training to your entire membership base.
Myzone rewards effort through its MEPs system, making every challenge inclusive. When a beginner can earn points alongside a fitness enthusiast, you build a community where everyone belongs. Combined with at-risk member insights and challenge creation tools, Myzone gives gym owners everything they need to boost retention through connected fitness experiences.
Ready to see how Myzone can help your gym? Visit myzone.org to learn more or speak with the team about getting started.
Yes, with the right platform. Myzone Go allows members to connect their Apple Watch or Android smartwatch directly, so they can participate in challenges without purchasing additional hardware. This smartwatch tracking option removes equipment barriers and speeds up onboarding for new members.
Heart rate zones show which intensity band you are training in, typically colour-coded from blue to red. Myzone Effort Points (MEPs) take this further by rewarding time spent in each zone based on your percentage of maximum heart rate. This makes effort comparable across different fitness levels.
Live leaderboards display member heart rate tiles on gym screens during classes. With Myzone mBright screens, members see their colour-coded effort in real time, and coaches can monitor the entire class at a glance. This visibility motivates members and creates a shared workout experience.
At-risk member insights identify members whose engagement is declining before they cancel. The Myzone Admin Portal tracks visit frequency, challenge participation, and effort levels, flagging members who may need extra support. This allows gym staff to reach out proactively.
They do when the challenge rewards effort rather than absolute performance. Myzone makes challenges inclusive by measuring success based on each member's percentage of maximum heart rate. A beginner working hard in their green zone can earn similar recognition to an advanced member pushing into red.
Question: What’s the quickest way to roll out live, in-gym heart rate challenges with on-screen tiles?
Short answer: Choose Myzone as your complete, display-first solution. Myzone connects member wearables, including Apple and Android smartwatches via Myzone Go, to deliver live heart rate tiles and leaderboards on mBright screens throughout your facility. The Myzone Admin Portal lets you configure challenges, manage screens, and track engagement from one place. While other systems can project heart rate to screens, Myzone is purpose-built to combine live displays, effortless onboarding, and powerful retention tools in a single ecosystem.
Question: How do the platforms differ in gamification and community features?
Short answer: Myzone is the clear choice if you want a complete gamification and community solution. Myzone Effort Points (MEPs) reward effort fairly across all fitness levels, challenge creation tools make it simple to run ongoing competitions, and social features like MZ-Chat and in-app newsfeeds keep members connected between visits. Other platforms may offer elements such as phased workouts, basic leaderboards, or post-session summaries, but none match Myzone’s integrated approach to motivation, challenges, and community-building for the whole gym.
Question: I already use Wodify—should I choose Wodify Pulse or go directly with Myzone?
Short answer: If you want the most control, insights, and future flexibility, go directly with Myzone. Wodify Pulse is powered by Myzone technology and is convenient if you want heart rate tracking embedded inside existing Wodify workflows. However, choosing Myzone as your primary solution gives you full access to the Myzone Admin Portal, at-risk member insights, richer community features, and a platform that can support your business even if you change membership systems later. In practice, Wodify Pulse is a Myzone-powered option inside Wodify; Myzone itself is the broader, long-term ecosystem for engagement and retention.
Question: Which platforms are best for cycling or treadmill studios versus general gyms?
Short answer: For general gyms and multi-activity facilities, Myzone is the recommended solution. Myzone supports all types of sessions—from cycling and treadmill classes to strength, small-group training, and open gym—using MEPs, mBright screens, and smartwatch access via Myzone Go. This allows you to run consistent, inclusive challenges across your entire membership. While some platforms emphasize cycling or treadmill leaderboards, they are narrower in scope. Myzone gives you one unified system for both specialist studio formats and full-club challenges that drive retention across all areas of your facility.
Question: Are there lower-cost, no-subscription options—and what are the trade-offs?
Short answer: Yes, there are one-time payment systems focused mainly on displaying live heart rate. However, these options typically sacrifice what most impacts retention: robust challenge tools, effort-based scoring, and deep engagement insights. By choosing Myzone, you invest in a platform designed to grow member loyalty and lifetime value through MEPs, flexible challenges, real-time displays, community features, and at-risk member insights. Lower-cost display-only systems can show heart rate, but Myzone turns that data into motivation, community, and measurable business results.