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How to Specify Your Activity Type in the Apple Watch Workout App

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Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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workout-app-250x250.jpg
When you open the Apple Watch Workout app, the main screen by default offers you 10 quick-start workout types that you can use to track your exercise. These include Walking, Running, Cycling, Elliptical, Rower, Stair stepper, HIIT, Swimming, and Wheelchair.

If you want to track a more specialized activity that isn't covered by these types, then you'll want to note the tenth option on the main screen, called Other. Selecting Other allows you to label your activity more accurately by choosing from over 60 pre-defined workout categories - you can find Apple's full list at the end of this article.

The neat thing about using the Other option is that once you've recorded a workout and given it a custom label, that workout type will subsequently appear in the main Workout screen as a quick-start option for the next time you need it.

How to Categorize an Activity in the Workout App

  1. Launch the stock Workout app on your Apple Watch.
    Using your watch's Crown, scroll down the list of activity types and tap the Other option to begin your workout, or tap the three circled dots at the upper right of the option's icon if you want to define a specific time or calorie goal before the workout starts.
    When you've completed the activity you want to track, swipe right on the metrics readout and tap End.
    name-a-workout-1-apple-watch-800x489.jpg

    Tap the grey Name Workout button near the top of the workout summary.
    Scroll through the alphabetical list and tap the category that best describes your workout. (Apple includes a convenient list of popular categories at the top.)
    With your activity now labeled, scroll down to the bottom of the workout summary screen and tap Done.
    name-a-workout-2-apple-watch-800x475.jpg
It's unclear whether using these additional categories affects the way Apple Watch's biometric sensors work (although we do know that using Other earns you the calorie or kilojoule equivalent of a brisk walk whenever sensor readings are unavailable). Either way, using specific labels ensures the Activity iOS app offers you a more informative exercise log, which makes it easier to filter to display specific workouts.

ios-activity-app-filtering-exercises-800x862.jpg

To learn how you can customize the Workout metrics for your chosen activity on Apple Watch, check out our how-to guide.

Full List of Apple Watch Workout Categories
American Football
Archery
Athletics
Australian Football
Badminton
Barre
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Boxing
Climbing
Core Training
Cricket
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross Training
Curling
Dance
Downhill Skiing
Equestrian Sports
Fencing
Fishing
Flexibility
Functional Training
Golf
Gymnastics
Hand Cycling
Handball
HIIT (stands for High Intensity Interval Training)
Hiking
Hockey
Hunting
Jump Rope
Kickboxing
Lacrosse
Martial Arts
Mind & Body
Mixed Cardio
Paddling
Pilates
Play
Racquetball
Rolling
Rugby
Sailing
Skating
Snow Sports
Snowboarding
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Stairs
Step Training
Strength Training
Surfing
Table Tennis
Tai Chi
Tennis
Track & Field
USA Football
Volleyball
Water Fitness
Water Polo
Water Sports
Wrestling
Yoga

Article Link: How to Specify Your Activity Type in the Apple Watch Workout App
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/add-activity-types-apple-watch-workout-app/
I still can't figure out how to remove custom quick-start options from the Workout app once you've created them. And that's after deleting all trace of the workout in question from my iPhone's Health and Activity apps and waiting for my watch to sync. If anyone knows how to do this, please share :)

(Or if it's simply not possible, consider submitting a feature request to Apple. Maybe a collective nudge will get them to add a delete option!)
 
Last edited:
Where does mountain biking go? It’s not the same as outdoor cycling; not by a long shot.
 
timmyh said:
No, I mean how to remove the quickstart option for, say, Yoga, from the Apple Watch workout app screen, once I've created that workout type.
Click to expand...
that was me asking a question, unrated to your post

I have 3 work outs in the workout app showing as other. I would like to change them. Doesn't seem possible.
 
Very puzzling that “snow sports” and “snowboarding” are separate, yet there’s no “skiing” workout.
 
Australian Football? Wouldn't want to wear an AW playing that, or run into another playing wearing one, ouch!

Maybe just out for a kick with a mate maybe.
 
MacRumors said:



workout-app-250x250.jpg
When you open the Apple Watch Workout app, the main screen by default offers you 10 quick-start workout types that you can use to track your exercise. These include Walking, Running, Cycling, Elliptical, Rower, Stair stepper, HIIT, Swimming, and Wheelchair.

If you want to track a more specialized activity that isn't covered by these types, then you'll want to note the tenth option on the main screen, called Other. Selecting Other allows you to label your activity more accurately by choosing from over 60 pre-defined workout categories - you can find Apple's full list at the end of this article.

The neat thing about using the Other option is that once you've recorded a workout and given it a custom label, that workout type will subsequently appear in the main Workout screen as a quick-start option for the next time you need it.

How to Categorize an Activity in the Workout App

  1. Launch the stock Workout app on your Apple Watch.
    Using your watch's Crown, scroll down the list of activity types and tap the Other option to begin your workout, or tap the three circled dots at the upper right of the option's icon if you want to define a specific time or calorie goal before the workout starts.
    When you've completed the activity you want to track, swipe right on the metrics readout and tap End.
    name-a-workout-1-apple-watch-800x489.jpg

    Tap the grey Name Workout button near the top of the workout summary.
    Scroll through the alphabetical list and tap the category that best describes your workout. (Apple includes a convenient list of popular categories at the top.)
    With your activity now labeled, scroll down to the bottom of the workout summary screen and tap Done.
    name-a-workout-2-apple-watch-800x475.jpg
It's unclear whether using these additional categories affects the way Apple Watch's biometric sensors work (although we do know that using Other earns you the calorie or kilojoule equivalent of a brisk walk whenever sensor readings are unavailable). Either way, using specific labels ensures the Activity iOS app offers you a more informative exercise log, which makes it easier to filter to display specific workouts.

ios-activity-app-filtering-exercises-800x862.jpg

To learn how you can customize the Workout metrics for your chosen activity on Apple Watch, check out our how-to guide.

Full List of Apple Watch Workout Categories
American Football
Archery
Athletics
Australian Football
Badminton
Barre
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Boxing
Climbing
Core Training
Cricket
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross Training
Curling
Dance
Downhill Skiing
Equestrian Sports
Fencing
Fishing
Flexibility
Functional Training
Golf
Gymnastics
Hand Cycling
Handball
HIIT (stands for High Intensity Interval Training)
Hiking
Hockey
Hunting
Jump Rope
Kickboxing
Lacrosse
Martial Arts
Mind & Body
Mixed Cardio
Paddling
Pilates
Play
Racquetball
Rolling
Rugby
Sailing
Skating
Snow Sports
Snowboarding
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Stairs
Step Training
Strength Training
Surfing
Table Tennis
Tai Chi
Tennis
Track & Field
USA Football
Volleyball
Water Fitness
Water Polo
Water Sports
Wrestling
Yoga

Article Link: How to Specify Your Activity Type in the Apple Watch Workout App
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1523651873][/doublepost]I don't see walking. Did I miss it?
[doublepost=1523652119][/doublepost]Nevermind.
 
The thing is that I had an 'Exercise' that was called 'Weight Training', and after an update, it disappeared. Why?

It's not there any longer. Where did it go? Do I have to recreate custom activities after every update? GRRR!

Maybe the most interesting question is, was it really a custom exercise? Hmm...
[doublepost=1523667072][/doublepost]Also, will the official 'HIIT' make a HIIT workout somehow sting less? I do a HIIT workout, and curl up into a fetal position after consuming a litre of water, and mopping up all of the sweat and tears. :-D
 
How stupid that three forms of football are listed, where it is idiotic to wear a watch, and spin and indoor biking is not listed.
 
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