FitShow App Review
The FitShow app is compatible with the JTX Racer-M: Home Connect+ Bike and JTX RunRise: Incline Flat Fold Treadmill.
FitShow offers a variety of workout experiences, from a simple athletics track interface to more immersive virtual courses, similar to those found on Zwift and Kinomap. It supports treadmill incline adjustments, but you’ll need to manually control the speed.
The app records essential workout data, such as calories, distance, heart rate (tested with Polar), and speed for treadmills, while bikes record cadence, watts, and distance - though resistance adjustments must be made manually.
Hardware compatibility
One of the standout features is its ability to connect with devices like the Apple Watch and heart rate bands, including Polar chest strap compatibility.
Free rides and runs
The app provides free access to training, scenic videos, and map routes, only Virtual Run (FitShow's Zwift-like feature) requires a premium subscription. The Virtual Run, while fun, is not quite as smooth as Zwift based on our test of the free route. Surprisingly there is no equivalent to Virtual Run for exercise bike.
Community and User-generated content
As with most apps, there is a focus on community and user engagement, with leaderboards, groups, and competitions.
You can customise your own training programmes, set goals, and upload your own videos via YouTube.
How to connect your JTX Fitness app to FitShow?
FitShow is compatible with the JTX Fitness Racer-M and JTX Fitness RunRise, Connecting to the app via Bluetooth is very easy: simply select your workout, choose your machine, and you’re ready to go. If you’re using the JTX Racer-M you will need to start pedaling for the app to pick up the Bluetooth connection from the computer.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Compatibility: Works with JTX Racer-M and JTX RunRise.
- Variety of Workouts: Includes a simple athletics track interface, scenic routes, and virtual courses similar to Zwift and Kinomap.
- Data Tracking: Records essential metrics like calories, distance, heart rate (tested with Polar), and speed for treadmills; cadence, watts, and distance for bikes.
- Customisable Training: Allows users to create custom training programs, set goals, and even upload videos via YouTube.
- Easy Bluetooth Connection: Simple connection process for workouts, with easy machine selection.
- Free Content: Offers free access to training programs, scenic videos, and map routes.
- Community Features: Includes leaderboards, groups, and competitions for added user engagement.
Cons
- Manual Adjustments: Speed on treadmills and resistance on bikes must be controlled manually.
- Premium Content: Only one Virtual Run is free; the rest require a premium subscription.
- Virtual Run Performance: The Zwift-like Virtual Run is not as smooth compared to Zwift.
- Limited Data for Bikes: Resistance data is not recorded for bikes.
Pricing
FitShow is mostly free, with only Virtual Run having a premium option. There is one free course available, but access to the remaining 62 courses is priced as follows:
- £59.98 per year
- £5.99 per month
- £2.98 per week
Our Verdict
FitShow is a useful companion for the JTX RunRise and JTX Racer-M, offering a good mix of workouts and tracking features. However, some areas could use improvement, and some users may find it limited by comparison to the market leading apps.
Pricing and features are accurate as of October 3, 2024.