Starting your first session

This guide begins at the dashboard and follows your first Cardio · Base Pace session through to the workout screen.

Open today's session

The dashboard shows today's session, approximate duration, and the equipment you can use. For the first cardio session, prepare a rowing machine or recumbent bike, then tap Start.

The myPotential dashboard shows a Cardio Base Pace session with a Start button. — Tap Start on today's session card.

If you want to look ahead first, tap View workout. To choose another day or check your place in the programme, tap the Week · Day label. See Choose or resume a session.

Allow Bluetooth access

The first time you start a session, iPhone asks whether myPotential can find Bluetooth devices. myPotential supports Bluetooth heart-rate monitors and needs this access if you use one. Tap Allow to continue.

An iPhone permission alert asks whether myPotential can find Bluetooth devices. — Allow Bluetooth access when iPhone asks.

Choose your heart-rate source

Put on and wake the heart-rate source you plan to use, then select it on the heart-rate source screen. You can select every source you might use; myPotential uses the best available live reading during a session.

The myPotential Heart Rate Source screen lists Apple Watch, AirPods Pro 3, and a Bluetooth heart-rate monitor. — Select the heart-rate source or sources you may use.

Apple Watch: Set up Apple Watch.
AirPods Pro 3: Set up AirPods Pro 3.
Bluetooth heart-rate monitor: Select this option to begin the guided pairing process. For more detail, see Pair a Bluetooth heart-rate monitor.
Not sure which source to use? See Heart-rate monitors.

When you have made your selections, tap Continue to return to the dashboard. If you selected a Bluetooth heart-rate monitor, follow the pairing steps before continuing.

Open the pre-session check-in

Back on the dashboard, tap Start to open the pre-session check-in. Wait for a current heart-rate number to appear. The session cannot start until myPotential is receiving a live reading.

Complete the check-in

Choose the response that best describes how you are feeling. The session's Start buttons stay unavailable until you choose a response and a current heart-rate reading is available.

The myPotential pre-flight screen has readiness options, a heart-rate section, and unavailable equipment buttons. — Choose how you are feeling after your heart-rate source is connected.

If you select the most severe option, myPotential shows a Rest today choice. Follow the advice you have agreed with your doctor when deciding what to do.

Choose your equipment and start

Once the check-in is complete and a heart-rate number is visible, choose the session's Start button for the equipment you will use. For the first session, select Start rowing or Start bike. This opens your workout.

The myPotential pre-flight screen shows a current heart-rate reading, a selected readiness option, and Start rowing and Start bike buttons. — A current reading and completed check-in make the session's Start buttons available.

During the workout

The workout screen shows the current activity, time remaining, heart-rate number, and target range. Follow the on-screen activity, timing, and pacing guidance. Complete the session in the app so it appears in your history.

The myPotential workout screen shows a warm-up, a current heart-rate reading, and time remaining. — Your first cardio session starts with a warm-up.

For timing and target-range guidance during cardio, see Cardio sessions. For strength exercises, rests, and set tracking, see Strength sessions.