I have similarly found it a pain. I rely on the command button on my Ultra to start a swimming workout as without my glasses it is not easy. It does not always work since we got IOS 26. Then when I have finished I would press the two buttons either side to pause the workout, go through the routine of switching off the water sensor and then end the workout. Doing that is not guaranteed to work every time. If I power off the watch and then reboot it puts it right for only a short time. I have never tried using Siri. Perhaps I should. Anybody do it that way?
Apple Watch owners have been voicing their frustration online over changes to the Workout app that Apple introduced in watchOS 26, with many finding the redesigned interface makes starting exercises difficult and exasperating.
When Apple launched watchOS 26 in September, the Workout app went from large, easily tapped workout tiles to a scrolling, corner-button interface. Instead of tapping a workout once to begin, users now select the workout type, and then tap a smaller play button that appears after a brief animation. Apple has also integrated music and podcast setup directly into the Workout app itself, so users can configure audio to automatically begin playing when they start exercising.
However, many of the changes appear to have become a major source of frustration over the last couple of months, based on a Reddit thread on r/AppleWatch that's full of complaints. "Touch targets are way too small," one user wrote. "Often times I have to tap the play button several times to get the workout to start."
Another user said the update has been "absolutely horrible," adding that "activating a swimming workout has become impossible once in the pool." Several swimmers echoed this view. One notes that the latest design makes it "impossible to reliably start or switch workouts once you're wet or mid-lap."
The redesigned layout also moves common controls like goal settings, quick-start options, and frequently used workouts into different positions. Long-time users say this breaks years of muscle memory. "What I used to be able to do in my sleep without thinking now takes my full brain capacity and always annoys me just before my workout," one user noted.
Some users also report reliability issues, like tapping the start button and seeing the press animation without the workout actually starting, or walking workouts failing to register completely. Mis-starts are another recurring issue. "I've accidentally started the wrong workout so many times," one user wrote. "The play button loads late, so I think I'm scrolling, but I actually tap it the moment it appears." Another said they've watched the button animate when tapped, "and then found out later that it didn't actually register."
The old Workout interface in watchOS 11
"The scrolling is so bad now," wrote another user, while others said the interface simply feels laggy. One explained that "the delay between selecting and starting is so long that I constantly overshoot or open the wrong thing."
Some users have turned to Siri voice commands to bypass the new interface altogether, while others rely on the Action button on Apple Watch Ultra models to start workouts directly. A few say they've been letting auto-detection handle walking and cycling sessions simply because it's less tedious than navigating the UI.
What have your experiences been with the Workout app on Apple Watch since the watchOS 26 update? Do you get on with the redesigned interface, or is it a step backwards from watchOS 11? Let us know in the comments.
Article Link: Apple Watch Users Claim Workout App Is Now Worse in Every Way
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Apple Watch Users Claim Workout App Is Now Worse in Every Way
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Difficult. People do love to endlessly moan about anything on this forum, but, in this case, there is a valid reason.
The UI for starting an exercise/fitness activity is less effective than before - the play button is too small, and now they have added the need for at least more scrolling gesture and an extra click gesture.
The UI for starting an exercise/fitness activity is less effective than before - the play button is too small, and now they have added the need for at least more scrolling gesture and an extra click gesture.
I suspect that much of the UX design at Apple in recent years has been done totally indoors and simulated on Macs with big screens and designers clicking instead of tapping and swiping, with no real world testing (or working out). Liquid Glass is not made for outdoor use. These touch targets are not made for people on the go. Many features of the phone and watch are not efficient for commuters and busy people. Things work okay for you if you’re an IT person sat at a desk all day.
I think I have concluded that EVERY OS 26 piece of software Apple has made is a mess! I have issues on my Mac, Apple Watch and iPhone. Even my iPad Pro M4 has been slow and buggy! I said it before and I will say it again, Apple hardware is top notch, the software really is not and they need to try a LOT better for the premium prices they are charging. If Apple wants software like Windows then they can damn well charge pricing like Windows.
I've not read the whole thread, but am chipping in as I get the gist. What they seem to have done is removed the simplicity. I only have 5 workout options, but it is a PITA waiting for that little play button to appear when scrolling through them. And how many times I have pressed that play button on a workout and the ruddy thing has moved to to a different workout, or worse, not started at all but then i've not realised until it's too late?! The screen also seems less responsive, requiring several taps to get the workout to start; and even then (and not always), for my cycling workout, it doesn't start straight away, it gives me the open goal setting etc. The previous iteration was far better, It doesn't need to be over complicated-it's change for the sake of change.
The other thing that's annoying is live activities. When I'm boxing, I have my watch on under my wraps/gloves so I can't see it. I like to work for a fixed period of time rather than a specific set of rounds-Live activities picks and chooses when it wants to display on the lock screen, which is really unhelpful. Either work or don't. Annnnnd, when I assigned the option for it to play specific music/Podcasts when I start certain workouts on the phone, i expected that to be replicated on my Watch. Even now, i'm not sure if it should or not: but either way 1) it doesn't and 2) if it should, it doesn't.
Apple updated their Podcasts app years go, it was an absolute mess-and it still is. My fear is that now, there seem to be several pieces of software/apps that are starting to head the same way.
The other thing that's annoying is live activities. When I'm boxing, I have my watch on under my wraps/gloves so I can't see it. I like to work for a fixed period of time rather than a specific set of rounds-Live activities picks and chooses when it wants to display on the lock screen, which is really unhelpful. Either work or don't. Annnnnd, when I assigned the option for it to play specific music/Podcasts when I start certain workouts on the phone, i expected that to be replicated on my Watch. Even now, i'm not sure if it should or not: but either way 1) it doesn't and 2) if it should, it doesn't.
Apple updated their Podcasts app years go, it was an absolute mess-and it still is. My fear is that now, there seem to be several pieces of software/apps that are starting to head the same way.
It is truly pathetic what they have done to the Workout interface in the name of "upgrading". Form over function. Where is the focus on the end user? No one in the entire team put two seconds thinking how a runner or a swimmer is actually going to be when starting a workout.
A feature I enjoyed - going for runs without my phone. The watch would tell me through my AirPods, how many splits, miles, time intervals I've done. The brief "announcement" would interrupt over any music I'd be playing, but it was welcome. Now, it seems I can't have the same functionality back UNLESS I KEEP MY PHONE ON ME. How is that useful?!
A feature I enjoyed - going for runs without my phone. The watch would tell me through my AirPods, how many splits, miles, time intervals I've done. The brief "announcement" would interrupt over any music I'd be playing, but it was welcome. Now, it seems I can't have the same functionality back UNLESS I KEEP MY PHONE ON ME. How is that useful?!
Apple UI team has apparently left the building. The 26 is so full of awkward design choices and mistakes that I’m really baffled how it passed any quality testing. From keyboard edges on iPhone to “revamped” workout on AW, one mistake after another.
Workouts are now extremely unreliable, the action button misbehaves, and what I’m also experiencing is that the watch simply locks and stops the workout, like being taken off the wrist. This started happening after the update and it happens every couple of days for no apparent reason.
Workouts are now extremely unreliable, the action button misbehaves, and what I’m also experiencing is that the watch simply locks and stops the workout, like being taken off the wrist. This started happening after the update and it happens every couple of days for no apparent reason.
Agree with many of the opinions shared here. Major step backwards in usability. I've started the "wrong" workout many times since the new interface and navigation is incredibly frustrating, especially if you've completed a warm-up and have your heartrate elevated a bit. I've also noticed my Series 10 restarting more often than it ever has in the past.
Every redesign has had worse outcomes in the last few years. Looking at the Photos app and Liquid Glass.
If on iPhone etc. its a mixed bag, on WatchOS I hate almost EVERY aspect of the new liquid-ass mess.
iOS fitness chief is a sexual predator. he is not interested in improving fitness.
Apple Fitness Chief Accused of Toxic Workplace Culture and Harassment
Workers say the executive was volatile and retaliated when they cooperated with an investigation. Apple denies the claims.
He looks like one too.iOS fitness chief is a sexual predator. he is not interested in improving fitness.
Apple Fitness Chief Accused of Toxic Workplace Culture and Harassment
Workers say the executive was volatile and retaliated when they cooperated with an investigation. Apple denies the claims.www.nytimes.com
iOS fitness chief is a sexual predator. he is not interested in improving fitness.
Apple Fitness Chief Accused of Toxic Workplace Culture and Harassment
Workers say the executive was volatile and retaliated when they cooperated with an investigation. Apple denies the claims.
Who would have guessed
This would be difficult to automate. One option is a moisture sensor, which is an additional expense and might not even be possible if there's no room left on the PCB. Board space is extremely tight in wearables, and the design must be able to accommodate stringent RF requirements such as adequate spacing between the antennas and other components. And even then, the sensor would need to be intelligent enough to distinguish between a droplet and total immersion. Otherwise, AirPods would cut out with every drop of rain or sweat.
Another option is a pressure sensor. Same BOM and board considerations as above. It also would need to be sensitive enough to be able to kick in just a few inches into water, such as the depth of a swimmer's hand in a stroke versus a dive to the bottom of the pool.
Totally miserable Workout app experience after "upgrade". They don´t use it themselves at Apple?
In the previous version I could even start a cykling or skiing workout with my nose pointing on screen when hands were gloved and tied into skiing poles.
Please redo quickly.
In the previous version I could even start a cykling or skiing workout with my nose pointing on screen when hands were gloved and tied into skiing poles.
Please redo quickly.
No lies detected. It's an objectively terrible experience with horrible lag. Another example of how Apple's incredible, industry leading hardware is being done a major disservice by increasingly obtuse, porky, bloated software and UX (funny, that's what AAPL used to say about MS and they were not wrong). No wonder their HW team has left and they continue to lose designers, bright, talented people don't want their work destroyed.
It's a *really* bad thing when *SIRI* is the best way to get something done. Now that says something!
It's a *really* bad thing when *SIRI* is the best way to get something done. Now that says something!
Yeah not a fan of the workout app update…and if I’m walking about it’ll ask if I want to record as usual but I’m clearly outside and when I finish that workout it’s always an “indoor workout” annoying. Can I change what the workout was after the fact or no?
Annoying!!!
Annoying!!!
I have no issues with iOS 26 but damn watchOS 26 is pretty terrible in terms of UI. Workout app is probably the worst one. You could scroll way faster and could just saw more content without scrolling with previous version. It needs refinements for sure and I'm glad community raised this issue
Wow. Makes me even more grateful that I stayed on iOS 18.7.2 on the phone and by extension, I have 11.6.1 on my Apple Watch. I'm grateful for people sharing their experiences
Interesting take if do it all again I’d for sure update to iOS 26 it’s the best bar none hands down no holds barred no stone unturned no names taken winner takes all to the victor belongs the spoils etc. But watch 26?…yeah, no lol
I’m wondering is that even possible. Old watch OS but iOS 26? Ah well,…Apple will fix this I hope…
I agree -- scrolling through workout options, waiting for the right one to settle on the screen, then tapping that teeny button is a pain. Hard to do while working out. More generally, at least for me, there isn't a single aspect of iOS 26 that's improved functionality -- quite the opposite. I posted feedback to Apple.
Feels like a bit of an afterthought, isn’t this one of the selling points of an Apple Watch.
The software should be much better than this…..
The software should be much better than this…..
This morning I started an outdoor walk with the dogs. I hit the start button and started to walk. In my surprise when I checked it later to stop it, I noticed it never started?! Not sure how it would’ve stopped as it started the countdown and it was covered by hoodie. Not sure if this was a one off or something more.
I do like how it predicts my exercise routine which does cut down on touches and scrolls.
I do like how it predicts my exercise routine which does cut down on touches and scrolls.