Do you think the Apple Watch is worth it, if you're not into fitness?

[tagsaid]

I use mine purely for convenience.

I got the ultra for the battery life and durability to hopefully last a few years, but in general the use is the same on all the same.

1. I don’t work out, but I do have dietary apps that give me what and how much I have to eat based on my walking, etc daily
2. I have specific hand gestures to trigger Apple Pay while I am on my bike wearing the bike jacket - easier than trying to get the phone out.
3. Apple Pay in general is much quicker to access
4. Using Apple Maps (not the biggest fan but) it gives haptic feedback when your turn is coming up with navigation so on the bike it’s a nice reminder to take the exit, etc
5. Unlocking the MacBook with the watch works great in my experience
6. Specific tv remote apps works really good for when I don’t feel like looking for the remote
7. The ultra side button is a great one for the flashlight on the go, not the brightest light but it does help

There’s more of course and yes, 100% just convenience, but to me that is worth the using it.

 

[MauiPa]

Apple fans are going to passionately rationalize purchasing Apple products. Apple Watch owners are going to have their own rationalizations for why they purchased one. They'll likely share THEIR rationalization as if it should be yours.

It would be like going into a political forum- either party- and then asking if their platform really makes sense. Passionate political fans will passionately argue the platform. Or going into a cigarette smoker forum and asking about the merits of smoking: they will definitely offer a rich pile of reasons why you should smoke.

If you struggle to find a good reason to own Apple Watch, you don't need one. The vast majority of the world gets by just fine with any other watch/fitness tracker or none at all. iPhone does just about every single thing Watch can do. If you own a phone, you probably have it with you at least as much as you would be wearing the watch. All Apple people got by just fine using iPhone to do Watch things before Watch.

All these health arguments can be met by many other (cheaper) devices you can buy & wear... or mostly accomplished without needing the tracking. Plenty of people in the world work on their health without a piece of technology strapped to themselves.

All of the "what if you fall down?" arguments can be met by using the phone in your pocket and/or someone coming to your aide and/or a dedicated device especially for that (which costs a lot less than Watch).

People buy Watch because they want it... or they have some individual reason to own one. Not everyone- not even every Apple person- must own Watch. Enjoy the one you own until the wheels fall off of it and then see how NOT owning one goes for a while. If you miss something it does enough to "need" one again, you'll answer you own question in the best possible way (first hand). And if you don't really miss it, that money can be better put towards other things.

People in the haters club are going to rationalize all sorts of ways how their opinions are far superior to others. Can you get by with a cheaper watch form another vendor and do they have their own strengths that make them better than Apple Watches in some regards? absolutely, no one would question that. But if you like apple products because they work together like no other manufacturer's products, are your beliefs somehow less than those who don't agree with yours? No, People can value different things for different reasons and that is OK. I love my Apple Watch because of the way it integrates with my phone and for what it can do for me. I do, however, not know a single runner who prefers the Apple Watch over the brand they use (Garmin, Fitbit, whatever). So that says, that for their particular need, the Apple Watch is not the better product, and that is OK.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

OPs question was not “Is there any reason for an Apple Watch?” If it was that, many posts in this thread apply. They asked if THEY need an Apple Watch and my non-hater post was in response to them.

I'm about an Apple everything guy myself. I could readily make a passionately-positive case for ANY Apple product. However, based on OPs information, they apparently do NOT need one… not out of extremist hate or extremist love, but just because it doesn’t appear important or useful enough to them to own one after their existing one conks. That’s why they asked their question.

Not every “do not buy” post from people should make the person posting a “hater.” Perhaps the poster is simply considering the stated wants & needs of someone asking and offering an objective answer? Sometimes such answers will be NOT to buy something. If so, that’s also no attack on Apple either: just one person answering another person’s question best they can.

Lastly, just because someone may not want or need a product doesn’t invalidate or put down the product for other owners of it. Each has their own reasons for owning or not owning things and thus something can make perfect sense to be owned by one and little sense to be owned by another. Both are completely sensible stances through each person’s own lens.

 

[Siliconguy]

I live a very sedentary life.

I do very little (mental health issues) and find my Apple Watch a bit redundant.

I did start walking when I first got the watch, but got bored of it so stopped.

Now, it just tells the time and alerts me to notifications (which most of the time, leads me to picking up my iPhone, anyway.)

No the Apple Watch is not worth it. I love easy questions.

A Timex is about $40 and tells time just fine, and it doesn't need a charger. Nor do you have to buy a rather expensive phone in order to use it.

Sell the Apple Watch and get a plain old watch if you need one.

As for the walking, a quick two miles a day (40 minutes at a decent pace) is good for you assuming a low crime neighborhood.

 

[dagored]

I was told by a cardiologist, I encountered during my bodies decision to get AFIB, I should purchase an Apple Watch.

It arrived two days later and the ECG displayed the AFIB. A week later after a Catheter ablation, AFIB was gone. I check every day.

It reminds me to take my medications during the day. So, I need the Watch.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

For me, it’s become the best “dumb phone” I could ever want.

I’m trying to decrease screen time and distractions, and Watch is perfect for this purpose.

Whether I’m home or out and about, I always have my iPhone close by. But I try to keep it out of reach and to do as much as possible on my Watch.

Since you’re never actually going to watch a video or visit a website, or scroll through posts on a SoMe app, Watch let’s you do the essentials without all the banners and suggestions you get on a big displayed device, like a modern iPhone or iPad.

Yes, I got my S8 for the health tracking and safety features. But I feel like I’m more productive and less stressed and distracted by getting into the habit of not constantly grabbing my iPhone or iPad to check stuff, but instead limiting myself to look at my Watch to gauge how important it is.

The limited number of iOS apps that don’t offer any WatchOS companion apps actually has proven to be useful as this puts an extra barrier between me and the notifications.

I get a notification on my iPhone from my bank and I’d press it and jump right into my banking app and find myself checking all kinds of things.

But with Watch, I can’t jump into the app because there is no app on Watch. So I only get the one notification and that’s it.

Only the stuff that’s obviously important gets me to pick up my iPhone, or other device, and jump into the app.

Also incredibly helpful to answer calls and messages with Assistive Touch or using Siri. Setting timers and using Reminders with Siri is also great.

Also unlocking my Mac and using Watch instead of passwords when applicable is also nice.

Admittedly, not always the fastest and best way to do all of these things.

But being able to do them hands free and with much less distractions is a game changer for me beyond mere convenience.

 

[3Rock]

I like mine for the following reason…….

I can answer a phone call via Apple Watch when I don’t have the phone with me or even if I do have the phone with me it’s in my pocket and I don’t wanna take it out.

I use it at the alarm clock.

I can check my messages without taking my phone with me, or take it out of my pocket

if I am so inclined, I can use the timer to do a nice walk for 20 minute exercise. That too is without The iPhone with me.

I use it to buy my groceries without an iPhone with me nor my credit cards.

and there’s a few more other things that I could list, but will not. I just like having this tech toy with me.

 

[GregoriusM]

I know it's not the question you asked, but there is a direct correlation between mental health and physical exercise.

Living a sedentary lifestyle is harmful not just to your mental health, but also to you physical heath, and remarkably exercise also appears to be one of the best defences again neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinsons from what I have read (I am not a doctor).

I'm not suggesting that you go out and start training for that ultra marathon but absolutely any exercise is good, and any improvement in an amount of exercise is good. The health benefits are staggeringly undeniable, both short term and long term. Sure people die doing triathlons and stuff, that happens, you could get hit by a bus while out for a walk, but all the same, it's worth it outside of those sorts of outliers

If you find walking boring, maybe you need to change why or where you walk. I make a habit to walk to the coffee shop in the morning instead of driving. That's free exercise right there. Takes me longer than driving but I'm also not putting wear and tear on the car and not spending money on gas. It would be cheaper to just make coffee at home, and I do that for my second cup, but habitually a morning walk for coffee works for me. It doesn't have to be a 10km hike, or a 5km run or anything like that. I listen to music or podcasts while I walk.

Not trying to be preachy; I do hope you find the right motivation to get out of the sedentary mode.

Aside from fitness on the watch, I use it for setting reminders, setting timers, controlling my Spotify stream, and controlling my AppleTV. All things I could do on my phone but if I don't have my phone handy but do have my watch then that's an easy victory. OMG, and ApplyPay of course.

All the same - your watch and straps are depreciating in value every day, so if you think you're not going to be using them then it might be better to sell sooner rather than later. Once the S9 comes out you'll see further depreciation. But I hope you keep them and get more active, even if just a little.

This.

 

[toobravetosave]

I rarely have my phone on me around the house but my watch lets me set a timer or see my calendar and answer calls and texts. I can also walk the dog with airpods and play music off the watch and not bring my phone. Siri googling the odd question works well enough too. Could even do without the phone entirely if I got a cellular watch.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

I live a very sedentary life.

I do very little (mental health issues) and find my Apple Watch a bit redundant.

I did start walking when I first got the watch, but got bored of it so stopped.

Now, it just tells the time and alerts me to notifications (which most of the time, leads me to picking up my iPhone, anyway.)

Not slagging the watch off at all, as it's a lovely device, but I just don't know if it's worth it for me. My only gripe being that I've bought quite a few official straps for it, so if I stop wearing it, it's a fair amount of money down the drain.

Am I alone, or are any of you in a similar situation?

Like some others have already done, I encourage you to embrace the AW exercise features rather than define them as irrelevant.

I would also point out that the AW is useful for many things other than exercise-related. As I glance at the AW in addition to exercise complications I have set complications for Time/Day/Date, Timer, Stopwatch and Voice Memo; and all of those get used constantly. Camera Remote is also particularly handy to me. Edit: and of course the essential usage of the AW for many phone calls, with or without the iPhone nearby.

 

[Klae17]

Don't wear it for four weeks. let us know how it goes.

 

[JapanApple]

My Apple watch was a (Series 4) present since I have an active full days' worth of actions, keeping appointments, family, etc. I can't do without it. working out, steps, etc. ready for a new Apple watch. I like light and not oversized like Ultra. It's too big and gets in the way when using my hands to lift or do other actions. There was a time when I used it less but over the years, I needed to keep my life in order. watch.

 

[MisterSavage]

iPhone does just about every single thing Watch can do. If you own a phone, you probably have it with you at least as much as you would be wearing the watch. All Apple people got by just fine using iPhone to do Watch things before Watch.

This is actually why I didn't buy a watch until the S3. I just felt my iPhone could do almost everything already. I would never be without an Apple Watch now.

 

[Tdude96]

It's certainly essential for fitness tracking, but outside of that it's still worthwhile for all its other functions. It allows me to just put my phone down at home or at work and never touch it (it's the #1 feature in my opinion). Then you have things like Mac unlocking & bypassing password entry, Apple Pay, timers, driving directions by tap, weather & air quality at a glance, and more. It's a very worthwhile device even outside of fitness.

 

[Tripps9000]

Why has there so many feeds on the Apple Watch on here?

 

[Night Spring]

Why has there so many feeds on the Apple Watch on here?

You are in the Apple watch subforum.

 

[Thomas Davie]

I live a very sedentary life.

I do very little (mental health issues) and find my Apple Watch a bit redundant.

I did start walking when I first got the watch, but got bored of it so stopped.

Now, it just tells the time and alerts me to notifications (which most of the time, leads me to picking up my iPhone, anyway.)

Not slagging the watch off at all, as it's a lovely device, but I just don't know if it's worth it for me. My only gripe being that I've bought quite a few official straps for it, so if I stop wearing it, it's a fair amount of money down the drain.

Am I alone, or are any of you in a similar situation?

I’m on dialysis (not home dialysis at the moment, although used to be and intend on it again). I’ve been leading a sedentary life since Nov 3rd, 2017. I’ve got an iMac, MBP, MBA, iPad Pro and iPhone. The phone, iPad and MBA I take to dialysis. MBP I haven’t used in a while and I took down the iMac to make room for computer chess boards on my ‘computer table’. I want a watch. Don’t need one. Not even sure what I would use it for.

Apple Music/Classical gets a good workout from my phone/Sony WF-1000XM3.

Someone convince me to buy one please.

I do live ~400 metres from an abandoned rail line that stretches for miles. But it’s kinda hard to get lost.

Tom

 

[Thomas Davie]

I know it's not the question you asked, but there is a direct correlation between mental health and physical exercise.

Living a sedentary lifestyle is harmful not just to your mental health, but also to you physical heath, and remarkably exercise also appears to be one of the best defences again neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinsons from what I have read (I am not a doctor).

I don’t be outside very much except when I’m garden tending/cleaning up 2+ acres. I read voraciously and play multiple chess games at the same time. My physicals, vital signs and blood chemistry is evaluated 3x a week. So I’m ready for having my brain put in a nutrient vat.

But seriously, having stimulating hobbies, always taking in new information and good nutrition helps. *A lot*

regards

Tom

edit: this morning I ate garbage, a slice of cheese on a bun, because I-wanted to get outside while it was still, uh, night chilly. I’m on a fluid restriction so I can’t just drink to stay cool/hydrated. Was only working about 15 feet from my back door so I could nip in for some air conditioning. I bring a glass of ice outside with me, and when I feel a bit ‘warmish’ I pop 3-4 ice cubes in my mouth, let them melt and after the water is no longer cold/cool I spit it out. I save my fluids for beverages with meals or Red Bull. Honest, I got the medical approval to drink them b/c they contain Citric Acid and not Phosphoric Acid. Tonight I’m having curried rice/shrimp with only the salt from the curry paste. Gatorade also helps.

 

[Indianwin2001]

I’m on dialysis (not home dialysis at the moment, although used to be and intend on it again). I’ve been leading a sedentary life since Nov 3rd, 2017. I’ve got an iMac, MBP, MBA, iPad Pro and iPhone. The phone, iPad and MBA I take to dialysis. MBP I haven’t used in a while and I took down the iMac to make room for computer chess boards on my ‘computer table’. I want a watch. Don’t need one. Not even sure what I would use it for.

Apple Music/Classical gets a good workout from my phone/Sony WF-1000XM3.

Someone convince me to buy one please.

I do live ~400 metres from an abandoned rail line that stretches for miles. But it’s kinda hard to get lost.

Tom

The watch plays beautifully with the Sony headphones. I've been using the exact same headphones for 4 years and never had 1 problem with them.take care of yourself.

 

[JamesMay82]

I bought mine and I loved it and then it gave me mental health issues! I became obsessed with the heart rate monitor so much so that it was giving me anxiety which I'd never had before. I took it off and threw it in the draw so a complete and utter waste of money for me.

If your not into fitness I would say its better to just buy a standard watch, the premium brands hold or even go up in value so its a fairly safe purchase versus an Apple Watch that will depreciate

 

[dj1891]

I wouldn't say it's for the fitness folk, maybe those Dads or whatever who wanna do C25K or something, the majority of fitness folk use Garmin. I use both, Garmin is better for running, i use AW for gym and swimming, love how recoginses all my different swimming strokes, maybe Garmin does this too?

 

[JamesHolden]

I live a very sedentary life.

I do very little (mental health issues) and find my Apple Watch a bit redundant.

I did start walking when I first got the watch, but got bored of it so stopped.

Now, it just tells the time and alerts me to notifications (which most of the time, leads me to picking up my iPhone, anyway.)

Not slagging the watch off at all, as it's a lovely device, but I just don't know if it's worth it for me. My only gripe being that I've bought quite a few official straps for it, so if I stop wearing it, it's a fair amount of money down the drain.

Am I alone, or are any of you in a similar situation?

You're definitely not alone. I find very little use for my Apple Watch outside of fitness. I don't really like wearing a watch at all, but I made myself wear the Apple Watch every day for a few weeks in order to appreciate the full experience. I didn't find that it added much value to my life. I found the constant notifications annoying. I think a lot of the "health" features are anxiety generators for many people. I appreciate that some people have legitimate health issues and use the Watch to monitor them, but that's a small percentage of Watch owners.

When it comes to fitness, though, I like the Watch a lot. It's not the most full-featured fitness wearable, but if you're already an Apple customer, it's the best option I think. For me it's the small touches that make it appealing. I mostly use it as a way to control my iPhone when accessing the phone is difficult. For example, when I'm on my paddle board my phone is stored in a dry bag. I use the Watch to change the music, adjust volume, answer the phone or respond to a text. Of course I could use the Watch for all of these things when I'm just going about my day, but I'd rather use the iPhone unless I'm in a situation where accessing the iPhone is not ideal (such as when I'm on my paddle board or riding a chair lift for skiing).

I'll also echo the other responses you have received regarding fitness and mental health. I know from personal experience that nothing improves my mental health more than getting my heart rate up and breaking a sweat. Any exercise is better than no exercise at all, but I can see how you might have gotten bored with walking. I suggest pushing yourself a little harder, elevating your heart rate, and breaking a sweat. That's when you start to really see improvements in mental health in my experience.

I can walk for an hour and my mood doesn't change much, but pushing myself, keeping my heart rate between 135 and 150 and sweating...that really improves my mood! Apple has done a pretty good of game-ifying fitness with the Watch too. I use the Watch to challenge myself. Can I beat my old time? I monitor my heart rate when I'm working out and adjust my breathing and overall intensity of whatever I'm doing to keep my heart rate in a specific zone.

Finally, since you mentioned mental health, I would also encourage you to explore the connection between your mental health and your microbiome. I've been dealing with digestive issues for quite some time and I can say, unequivocally, that there's a huge link between my digestion and my mental health. I don't know where you are located, but here in the US there are a number of companies like Viome, Thorne, and Diagnostic Solutions who do microbiome testing. I've found Diagnostic Solutions' GI-MAP test to be the most useful. I've recently starting adhering to a low FODMAP diet and my mental health has improved greatly. There's a powerful gut-brain connection that we're only beginning to understand. I strongly encourage you to explore that avenue as well!

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

You're definitely not alone. I find very little use for my Apple Watch outside of fitness. I don't really like wearing a watch at all, but I made myself wear the Apple Watch every day for a few weeks in order to appreciate the full experience. I didn't find that it added much value to my life. I found the constant notifications annoying. I think a lot of the "health" features are anxiety generators for many people. I appreciate that some people have legitimate health issues and use the Watch to monitor them, but that's a small percentage of Watch owners.

When it comes to fitness, though, I like the Watch a lot. It's not the most full-featured fitness wearable, but if you're already an Apple customer, it's the best option I think. For me it's the small touches that make it appealing. I mostly use it as a way to control my iPhone when accessing the phone is difficult. For example, when I'm on my paddle board my phone is stored in a dry bag. I use the Watch to change the music, adjust volume, answer the phone or respond to a text. Of course I could use the Watch for all of these things when I'm just going about my day, but I'd rather use the iPhone unless I'm in a situation where accessing the iPhone is not ideal (such as when I'm on my paddle board or riding a chair lift for skiing).

I'll also echo the other responses you have received regarding fitness and mental health. I know from personal experience that nothing improves my mental health more than getting my heart rate up and breaking a sweat. Any exercise is better than no exercise at all, but I can see how you might have gotten bored with walking. I suggest pushing yourself a little harder, elevating your heart rate, and breaking a sweat. That's when you start to really see improvements in mental health in my experience.

I can walk for an hour and my mood doesn't change much, but pushing myself, keeping my heart rate between 135 and 150 and sweating...that really improves my mood! Apple has done a pretty good of game-ifying fitness with the Watch too. I use the Watch to challenge myself. Can I beat my old time? I monitor my heart rate when I'm working out and adjust my breathing and overall intensity of whatever I'm doing to keep my heart rate in a specific zone.

Finally, since you mentioned mental health, I would also encourage you to explore the connection between your mental health and your microbiome. I've been dealing with digestive issues for quite some time and I can say, unequivocally, that there's a huge link between my digestion and my mental health. I don't know where you are located, but here in the US there are a number of companies like Viome, Thorne, and Diagnostic Solutions who do microbiome testing. I've found Diagnostic Solutions' GI-MAP test to be the most useful. I've recently starting adhering to a low FODMAP diet and my mental health has improved greatly. There's a powerful gut-brain connection that we're only beginning to understand. I strongly encourage you to explore that avenue as well!

Thank you so much for such a detailed and thoughtful response.

When I used to go to gym years ago, I had to take on a FODMAP diet (I was vegetarian until about three months ago) as I had quite bad bloating.

Turned out to by MyProtein’s whey that was going it.

Gym becomes addictive, and I need something in my life, as at present, I have zero structure. Just take my medication, and “exist.”

I enquired about an all inclusive gym membership earlier, designed for people with physical or mental health disorders, and I might just give it a go.

I need to do something, as I’ll go completely insane if I continue like this.

Thanks again for your kind words.

 

[Night Spring]

Thank you so much for such a detailed and thoughtful response.

When I used to go to gym years ago, I had to take on a FODMAP diet (I was vegetarian until about three months ago) as I had quite bad bloating.

Turned out to by MyProtein’s whey that was going it.

Gym becomes addictive, and I need something in my life, as at present, I have zero structure. Just take my medication, and “exist.”

I enquired about an all inclusive gym membership earlier, designed for people with physical or mental health disorders, and I might just give it a go.

I need to do something, as I’ll go completely insane if I continue like this.

Thanks again for your kind words.

Structure is good, finding something to do is good.

But ultimately, we have to get comfortable with just existing. Think of someone in the opposite situation to yours -- perhaps with an outwardly successful career, but so busy they don't have time to just breathe and be themselves. That's not a happy life, either.

What you need to find is a way to be comfortable with yourself. Gym may be a way to do that. Or bike riding, or doing exercises with Fitness+, or something else. But what we all need is to find a way to be at peace with ourselves. Anything you try is a tool to reach that goal. Nothing is a magic bullet. It's going to take a long time, and lots of patience.

 

[JamesHolden]

Thank you so much for such a detailed and thoughtful response.

When I used to go to gym years ago, I had to take on a FODMAP diet (I was vegetarian until about three months ago) as I had quite bad bloating.

Turned out to by MyProtein’s whey that was going it.

Gym becomes addictive, and I need something in my life, as at present, I have zero structure. Just take my medication, and “exist.”

I enquired about an all inclusive gym membership earlier, designed for people with physical or mental health disorders, and I might just give it a go.

I need to do something, as I’ll go completely insane if I continue like this.

Thanks again for your kind words.

I used to do custom software development. I live alone, worked alone, and had very little structure. During Covid, things got even worse. Creating structure in one's life, a routine, is an essential component of good mental health. It's also very hard to create that structure alone.

A few months ago I took a job managing a friend's restaurant. It's not my dream job and I'm actively working on my own new business idea (as I'm DONE with tech!), but it's been great for me to be part of a team again, have people who rely upon me, a schedule, etc. Obviously I don't know anything about your situation, but I would encourage you to find ways to be accountable to others, whether it's a job, volunteering, anything that gets you our of your solitude and solitary headspace and makes you connect with others, even if it's just an hour every week to start.

Have you ever tried using habit tracking software? I've started using one called Everyday. I like the Everyday UI better than a lot of the other habit trackers. A friend and I were recently talking and he told me about an interview he'd seen with The Rock where he talked about how we can look at life as "one day"...or "day one". Make today day one. Wishing you the best!