# RideByHeart — Trainer control, simplified > Subscription-free indoor cycling trainer control and workout app. (iPhone/iPad app by jithu joseph.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ridebyheart/id6754610795 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [jithu joseph](https://appshunter.io/developer/1849213996) - Category: Health & Fitness, Sports - Price: Free - Rating: 4.60/5 from 5 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 18.6 · 4 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2025-11-10 - Data updated: 2026-08-23 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ridebyheart/id6754610795/reviews.md ## What is RideByHeart? Indoor cycling training without the subscription. RideByHeart connects to any FTMS-compatible smart trainer and Bluetooth heart rate monitor for professional-grade workouts. TRAIN YOUR WAY No subscriptions. No accounts. No forced updates. Free during the introductory testing phase. (In future ... if free app is unsustainable we might ask for a one time pay, train forever) SMART TRAINER SUPPORT • Tested and verified: Wahoo KICKR • Should work with any FTMS-compatible trainer: - Tacx Neo, Flux, and Flow - Elite Direto, Suito, and Justo - Saris H3 and M2 - Other Bluetooth FTMS trainers Note: App uses the standard FTMS protocol. While tested on KICKR, it should work with all FTMS-compatible trainers. Feedback welcome! FEATURES • Structured workouts • FTP-based power training • Heart rate zone workouts with automatic resistance (You choose an HR zone to train and the trainer resistance will adjust to keep your heart-rate in that zone) • Real-time metrics: power, cadence, speed, heart rate and calories • Workout recording and TCX export for Strava • BIAS control for mid-workout adjustments • Import custom workouts via .zwo files • Direct Strava upload for completed workouts • Expanded structured workout library ## Key features - FTMS-compatible smart trainer connection - Bluetooth heart rate monitor support - Structured workouts - FTP-based power training - Heart rate zone training with automatic resistance - Real-time metrics (power, cadence, speed, HR, calories) - Workout recording and TCX export ## Recent user reviews (3 of 3) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ridebyheart/id6754610795/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Great UI, broken in many parts *2026-06-25* I absolutely love the workout view, heart rate zones, and more. Unfortunately, the app did not ask for permission to connect to Apple Health, as a result synchronizing failed, but there's no recovery flow for those permissions. In addition, the workout I just did was not saved, indicating issues with the quality of development. **Developer response:** Thanks for trying it out . Apple health upload setting is there in settings page (I suppose if that is enabled, it would ask for permission. I will cross-check if defaults are not sensible). Workout history would contain your past workouts. It should allow you to upload to Strava . I will consider adding an option to upload to Apple health too. Once again appreciate your feedback!!! ### 5/5 — Simple and elegant *2025-11-16* Love the clean design and fidelity to its stated purpose. Easy to get going with the built-in Workouts! ### 5/5 — Open, simple and elegant *2025-11-14* Royalty free use of your own bike or compatible equipment. The interface is plain and simple. Love it! I wonder if you can use the watch app for heart rate and if workouts can sync with iPhone health app? That would make this extra nice! Not bad for the first version and I’m impressed already! ## Frequently asked questions about RideByHeart ### What is RideByHeart? RideByHeart is an indoor cycling training application that connects to FTMS-compatible smart trainers and Bluetooth heart rate monitors. It provides structured workouts and real-time training metrics without requiring a subscription. ### Does RideByHeart have ads? No, RideByHeart does not contain advertisements. It is currently free during its introductory testing phase. ### What trainers are compatible with RideByHeart? RideByHeart is tested and verified with Wahoo KICKR and should work with any FTMS-compatible trainer, including Tacx Neo, Flux, Flow, Elite Direto, Suito, Justo, and Saris H3, M2, among others. ### Can I export my workouts from RideByHeart? Yes, RideByHeart allows you to record your workouts and export them in TCX format. This data can then be uploaded directly to Strava. ### What devices can I use RideByHeart on? RideByHeart is available for iPhone and iPad devices. It is rated for ages 4 and up. ### How often is RideByHeart updated? The latest version of RideByHeart is 2.3, and it was last updated on April 7, 2026. Updates are provided to enhance functionality and compatibility. ### What makes RideByHeart's heart rate training unique? RideByHeart offers heart rate zone workouts with automatic resistance adjustment. You select a target heart rate zone, and the trainer's resistance will dynamically change to keep you within that zone. ### Is RideByHeart free to use? RideByHeart is currently free during its introductory testing phase. The developers may consider a one-time purchase option in the future if the free model becomes unsustainable. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.5 — 2026-07-06 What's New in 2.5 - Programmed HR workouts: run structured heart-rate sessions like the Norwegian 4×4, or build your own with the new program editor - Smarter HR zone control: faster response when your heart rate drifts, quicker zone changes, and steadier resistance while cruising - New Response setting (Sloth / Standard / Hurry) — adjustable mid-ride — to pick how assertively power follows your heart rate - Configurable power range for HR workouts keeps automatic control within sustainable bounds - Skip steps mid-program, and customize HR zones and max heart rate ### 2.4 — 2026-07-03 - Workouts now correctly appear as Indoor Cycling in Apple Health and Virtual Ride in Strava - Simplified HR zone workout status labels for clarity ### 2.3 — 2026-04-07 - Your Max HR and target zone settings now persist between sessions - Customize HR zone boundaries in Settings to match your training plan - Slider control for Max HR selection — faster and more precise - Confirmation dialog when stopping a workout to prevent accidental taps ### 2.2 — 2025-12-17 Major Feature: PID-Based HR Zone Control The HR Zone workout mode has been completely redesigned with a PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controller replacing the previous step-based algorithm. This provides smoother, more responsive power adjustments to maintain your heart rate within the target zone. How it works: - Feed-Forward (FF): Estimates initial power based on your FTP and target HR zone - Proportional (P): Responds to the current HR error (distance from zone midpoint) - Integral (I): Corrects for sustained offsets over time, ensuring you reach and stay in zone - Derivative (D): Dampens oscillations by responding to HR rate of change The algorithm uses exponentially-weighted moving average (EWMA) filtering on heart rate to reduce noise while maintaining responsiveness. HR Zone Workout UI Improvements - Real-time Power & HR Chart: Live visualization showing power (orange) and heart rate (red) over time, with colored zone bands that update as you change target zones - Zone Transition Tracking: Automatically tracks when you change zones (e.g., "Z3 (5m) → Z5 (2:30) → Z2 (1m)") and includes this in TCX exports and Strava uploads - Algorithm Status Display: Shows real-time PID breakdown: 135 + 99 (+58, +40, +0) = 204 showing Feed-Forward + PID correction (P, I, D terms) = Target Power - HR Trend Indicator: Visual pill showing Rising/Rising Slow/Stable/Falling Slow/Falling with color coding - Compact Single-Screen Layout: All information visible without scrolling - zone picker, chart, HR display, algorithm status, and metrics Export Chart Enhancements - Zone transition visualization in exported charts (colored bands showing which HR zone was targeted during each period) - Cleaner power visualization for HR zone workouts (line only, no area fill to avoid competing with zone bands) Refreshed UI Updated HR Zone workout screens with a cleaner, more compact design matching the app's landing page style, including a real-time Power & HR chart with zone visualization ### 2.1 — 2025-12-10 What's New in Version 2.1 Strava Integration (Most Requested!) Upload your workouts directly to Strava from workout history. Connect once in Settings, then share your rides with one tap. Edit Workouts On-The-Fly Adjust power and duration of any library workout. Want to shorten that slow warmup ? Bluetooth Connection Fixes Fixed issues where heart rate monitors wouldn't automatically connect when preferred one was unavailable Plus additional bug fixes and performance improvements. ## Apps similar to RideByHeart | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Thrivify Connect: FTMS Pair](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thrivify-connect-ftms-pair/id6743779419) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Kinomap: Bike, Run, Row](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kinomap-bike-run-row/id611177969) | 4.6 (1,797) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [TrainerDay - Indoor Cycling](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trainerday-indoor-cycling/id1500401973) | 4.8 (730) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [MyWhoosh: Indoor Cycling App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mywhoosh-indoor-cycling-app/id1498889644) | 3.7 (385) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [CycleGo: Spin classes at home](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cyclego-spin-classes-at-home/id1395075549) | 4.7 (973) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Virtual Cycling Trainer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-cycling-trainer/id6752381425) | — | Free | Health & Fitness | ## Related topics [ftms](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ftms) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-23.*