QZ App Connects Almost Any Indoor Machine to Zwift and Garmin

QZ, originally called qdomyos-zwift, started as a one-person fix for a single incompatible exercise bike. It has grown into a full open-source platform that bridges the gap between budget or older indoor machines and premium training ecosystems like Zwift, Peloton, Strava, and Garmin Connect.

The core problem QZ solves is real: most mid-range treadmills, bikes, and rowers use proprietary Bluetooth or ANT+ protocols that Zwift and similar apps simply ignore. QZ sits in between, translating the machine's data into a format those platforms understand. Your cheap Decathlon treadmill suddenly becomes a Zwift-compatible device.

For endurance athletes already running Garmin watches or Whoop bands, QZ fills a connectivity gap that would otherwise cost hundreds in hardware upgrades. A Garmin Forerunner 965 picks up power, cadence, and speed data from machines that would never natively broadcast it. That means cleaner training load data and more accurate recovery scores.

The open-source nature keeps it free and community-driven, but that cuts both ways. Setup requires some technical patience, and support depends on forums rather than a dedicated help desk. It is not the plug-and-play experience you get from a Wahoo Kickr or a Peloton bike straight out of the box.

Solid option if you have older indoor gear you refuse to replace. Not for athletes who want zero friction.