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Exercise app and GPD Tracking

jjk454ss

jjk454ss

macrumors 601
Original poster
Jul 10, 2008
4,533
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i like to hike and use Runkeeper to keep a map of where I've been. If I want to use the Exercise app to track the workout, and also want a map, do I have to use 2 different apps? Or is there a GPS tracking app that will add my workout to the Exercise App used on the watch. Does that make sense?:)

Basically I'd like to use Runkeeper, or something similar, but have it count towards me Exerises and Accheivements.
 
Use The Workout App on your :apple:Watch for Activity tracking and use RunKeeper (or whatever) on your iPhone for mapping.
 
I don't believe WatchKit allows third-party workout apps to push data into the Activity app yet. Hopefully that will come in the future because I don't like using two apps, either, but I do it because I want the credit for the Move and Exercise rings, but I also want GPS and more granular data than just a whole-working average of pace and heart rate.
 
Apple missed to boat by not allowing the phone GPS to work WITH the AW.

How hard would that have been to let the phone track your progress on the GPS.

Apple needs to look at what what the Garmin or Fitbit apps are like
 
Newtons Apple said:
Apple missed to boat by not allowing the phone GPS to work WITH the AW.

How hard would that have been to let the phone track your progress on the GPS.

Apple needs to look at what what the Garmin or Fitbit apps are like
Click to expand...
It does, and this has been pointed out many times:

Straight from https://www.apple.com/watch/technology/

GPS. Apple Watch uses the GPS in your iPhone to help measure the distance you travel during the day or during workouts that can’t be measured in steps, such as cycling.
Click to expand...

Although the way it's worded doesn't make it clear about whether it ALWAYS uses the GPS, or only during workouts that don't have steps.
 
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Figured this was the case, but thanks for confirming it. Hopefully it will be updated soon to work. Best would be an Apple app for mapping your runs/walks.
 
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PilotC150 said:
It does, and this has been pointed out many times:

Straight from https://www.apple.com/watch/technology/



Although the way it's worded doesn't make it clear about whether it ALWAYS uses the GPS, or only during workouts that don't have steps.
Click to expand...

Sorry but as a runner even a cheap GPS watch like the Surge will track and map your run. The Apple watch WILL NOT! It is ashamed as many workout/run with their iPhone and Apple could have added the GPS from the phone for mapping your run. Apple choose not to do so and is would not have taken much to do it!

I do not need to read Apple little ad. I own the watch and know it will not do this. Being a pilot from 18 year on in my life, GPS is a nice thing and should not be wasted when available.
 
My wife runs with het  Watch and uses Runkeeper app on her watch (icw iPhone).
She's in the US right now and I can see her activities incl. maps in Runkeeper.

It must be easy to use both apps together: if it's just a little hassle she won't be using it....and she's using it.
Must be easy.
Dunno if you have to start Health app separately....guess not...that would be to much of a hassle.
Also...dunno if she keeps track of her activities in Health app.

I'm not a pilot, don't like running and my  Watch is still in the US....so I'm not really concerned.
 
Newtons Apple said:
Sorry but as a runner even a cheap GPS watch like the Surge will track and map your run. The Apple watch WILL NOT! It is ashamed as many workout/run with their iPhone and Apple could have added the GPS from the phone for mapping your run. Apple choose not to do so and is would not have taken much to do it!

I do not need to read Apple little ad. I own the watch and know it will not do this. Being a pilot from 18 year on in my life, GPS is a nice thing and should not be wasted when available.
Click to expand...
This is correct. :apple:Watch uses GPS to measure and calibrate the accelerometer for accuracy but doesn't do GPS Mapping.
 
Last edited:
jjk454ss said:
Figured this was the case, but thanks for confirming it. Hopefully it will be updated soon to work. Best would be an Apple app for mapping your runs/walks.
Click to expand...
wOS 2 will allow 3ed party Apps to write to Activity. Come on September.:cool:
 
Ridder said:
My wife runs with het  Watch and uses Runkeeper app on her watch (icw iPhone).
She's in the US right now and I can see her activities incl. maps in Runkeeper.

It must be easy to use both apps together: if it's just a little hassle she won't be using it....and she's using it..
Click to expand...

How do you know she's using both apps? She could be just using Runkeeper by itself, and you'd see her runs.
 
Don't know.....but I do know my wife......I think....

When it's not as easy as sliced bread, she won't use it.

When she has to start 2 apps before a workout.....that's too much work.
 
Ridder said:
Don't know.....but I do know my wife......I think....

When it's not as easy as sliced bread, she won't use it.

When she has to start 2 apps before a workout.....that's too much work.
Click to expand...
If she is using RunKeeper on her :apple:Watch and NOT using the Workout App too then she is not getting any Activity App info.
 
Julien said:
If she is using RunKeeper on her :apple:Watch and NOT using the Workout App too then she is not getting any Activity App info.
Click to expand...

She would get some Activit credit, though. Just not as much as she would get if she run the Workout app. Also, no heart rate info without the Workout app.
 
Julien said:
This is correct. :apple:Watch uses GPS to measure and calibrate the accelerometer for accuracy but doesn't do GPS Mapping.
Click to expand...
And my whole point is how easy it would have been for Aplle to allow the iPhone with its own GPS to do this mapping. I do not even hear of it in OS2. Let all hope but until then it takes two apps running to do mu runs which I like to map.
 
Night Spring said:
She would get some Activit credit, though. Just not as much as she would get if she run the Workout app. Also, no heart rate info without the Workout app.
Click to expand...
Correct, a slight brain fart. However as you correctly stated you will miss a lot of info. I will be nice when wOS 2 allows 3ed party apps full access so you won't miss out.
 
Newtons Apple said:
And my whole point is how easy it would have been for Aplle to allow the iPhone with its own GPS to do this mapping. I do not even hear of it in OS2. Let all hope but until then it takes two apps running to do mu runs which I like to map.
Click to expand...
In wOS 2 you will be able to run Nike+, Stravia or RunKepper or... and get HR and FULL Activity credit. You can just disregard the Workout App for running once Apps are wOS 2 compliant.
 
Julien said:
In wOS 2 you will be able to run Nike+, Stravia or RunKepper or... and get HR and FULL Activity credit. You can just disregard the Workout App for running once Apps are wOS 2 compliant.
Click to expand...

Looking forward to this. Thanks
 
Newtons Apple said:
Sorry but as a runner even a cheap GPS watch like the Surge will track and map your run. The Apple watch WILL NOT! It is ashamed as many workout/run with their iPhone and Apple could have added the GPS from the phone for mapping your run. Apple choose not to do so and is would not have taken much to do it!

I do not need to read Apple little ad. I own the watch and know it will not do this. Being a pilot from 18 year on in my life, GPS is a nice thing and should not be wasted when available.
Click to expand...
You know that for a fact? You know that the Watch isn't using the iPhone's GPS to track the run and logging the information? Just because they don't provide you with a fancy little map of where you've been doesn't mean it's not using the GPS and logging the information. Sure, we'd all like the map, but to say that since there isn't map is proof-positive that the Watch doesn't use the GPS is absolutely incorrect.
 
PilotC150 said:
You know that for a fact? You know that the Watch isn't using the iPhone's GPS to track the run and logging the information? Just because they don't provide you with a fancy little map of where you've been doesn't mean it's not using the GPS and logging the information. Sure, we'd all like the map, but to say that since there isn't map is proof-positive that the Watch doesn't use the GPS is absolutely incorrect.
Click to expand...
Not defending Newtons Apple but they clearly say GPS Mapping and GPS tracking which the :apple:Watch doesn't do. Also there is no TCX file export feature to even see if any GPS points are recorded (which I don't think they are).
 
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