I’ve always wanted to connect my Philips Hue lights with Zwift, but the options were never great. One of the co-founders of Zwift even explored this idea years ago, but finding a simple solution felt impossible. You could buy an expensive HDMI sync box, but it didn’t mirror your effort; it just showed screen colors.
Recently, a game-changer appeared: a $3 app named LightMyWatts. This little gem lets you connect your smart trainer, power meter, or heart rate monitor to your Philips Hue setup, changing the lights based on your workout intensity. The best part? It works with any smart trainer or app, not just Zwift.
Getting Started
To use this app, you need:
- Philips Hue lights + bridge (base or pro).
- A smart trainer with Bluetooth or a Bluetooth power meter.
- LightMyWatts app, available on smartphones (iOS/Android) or computers.
I previously set up Philips Hue lights in Amsterdam and had to start fresh after moving to Mallorca. I bought a simple bridge and added a dual light bar for some flair.
Set Up in a Snap
Setting it up is quick. First, group your lights into a “room” within the Hue app. This makes it easier for LightMyWatts to control all the lights together.
- Open the app and connect to your Hue bridge.
- Select your room with the lights.
- Pair the app with your trainer or power meter.
While most trainers from the past decade support Bluetooth, older models might not handle multiple connections. For instance, many Wahoo and Elite trainers are good to go, but some older Tacx trainers might not work as seamlessly.
Here’s a quick look at a few trainers:
- Wahoo KICKR Models: Yes, multiple Bluetooth channels.
- Elite Direto: No, single Bluetooth channel.
- Tacx NEO (older versions): No, single Bluetooth channel.
Riding with Hue Lights
Once you’re all set, start the app, and it’ll connect in the background. With it running, the lights adjust as you change zones during your ride. The response time is around a third of a second, but accounting for other delays, it totals about 1.5-2 seconds, which feels fine during workouts.
Keep in mind, power readings can fluctuate, especially on tougher terrains. If you ride with fluctuating power data, there’s a Power Smoothing toggle in the app to average your output for smoother light changes.
Final Thoughts
Using LightMyWatts is a fantastic way to enhance your indoor training session. Rather than just reflecting the TV’s output, the lights respond to your real-time performance. Plus, it’s easy to set up and use.
I think there’s a lot of potential for this type of integration to go further with Zwift itself. If Zwift opens up some APIs, we could see even more engaging features, like synchronizing lights for in-game events or interval countdowns.
For $3, it’s hard to find a better deal in sports tech without ongoing subscriptions. I’d love to see this app expand to cover more lighting systems, but for now, it’s a solid start for Philips Hue users.
If you’re curious, consider diving into this setup. You might just find it adds a vibrant new dimension to your indoor cycling experience!
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philips hue,trainers,zwift
