How to Use the Activity and Workout Apps on Apple Watch

[rickdollar]

It's unfortunate that such detailed instructions are needed to understand and use some of the functionality of the Apple Watch. Apple used to pride itself on making UI's that were so simple and intuitive that no operating instructions were needed.

While undoubtably the best Smart Watch around, there are aspects of the UI that are more convoluted and complex than they perhaps ought to be.

But to paraphrase Steve, making things really simple is actually really hard.

FWIW, unless someone is not "techy" at all, this app, and the watch in general, are much easier to use than the internet makes it seem. I was expecting a steep learning curve but all the operations become familiar in about an hour or so.
I found, even the walk throughs on the Apple site make it look more confusing than it is in your hand.

 

[Ladyberyl]

How to Use the Activity and Workout Apps on Apple Watch

Thanks for the instructions.

 

[robeddie]

But if you pay $400+ for that, the rest of the Apple Watch functionality comes absolutely FREE!

Touche - BUT .... asssuming you already have an iphone, you already have all that 'functionality' (and more) before sinking another $400+ into the watch, ha!

 

[jdmagoo1]

Touche - BUT .... asssuming you already have an iphone, you already have all that 'functionality' (and more) before sinking another $400+ into the watch, ha!

Didn't you say the same thing when the iPad was announced?

 

[Chrjy]

After having my Watch for just over a week I've decided to return it. I think it's an amazing piece of tech and Apple have done a great job but I realised it was becoming intrusive and established I don't need to know the minute an email or text arrives, basically I felt it wan't allowing me to detach from tech and just relax.

I think if I was a fitness fan I would probably keep it and turn off notifications as I think they've done a great job with the workout/activity app.

It will be interesting to see how the general consumer feels and whether these types of wearables will go mainstream or if others also feel it becomes too intrusive.

 

[NowConverted]

What about the Health app?

Hi everyone, I don't have an Apple Watch (yet) but I love the Health app.

I was wondering how this works with the Health app. Also, in theory this new app could use the motion sensor of the iPhone and be used by everyone as the Health app, not just by Apple Watch owners...

It seems to me there is some overlapping between these 2 apps (although the new one is just oriented at fitness). What do you think?

 

[heimo]

To bad it will be well into June before most of us get to use any of these features.

I know! I'm eager to start exercising once my watch arrives. Until then, it's useless.

 

[3goldens]

A totally ridiculous waste of space on the front page of MacRumors! Boy this place is really going to hell!

 

[rekhyt]

It's unfortunate that such detailed instructions are needed to understand and use some of the functionality of the Apple Watch. Apple used to pride itself on making UI's that were so simple and intuitive that no operating instructions were needed.

While undoubtably the best Smart Watch around, there are aspects of the UI that are more convoluted and complex than they perhaps ought to be.

But to paraphrase Steve, making things really simple is actually really hard.

Indeed.

There's the toggle-isation of iOS.

Obviously fine-grained control is good for privacy and control of notifications, but on the other hand, it does get very complicated and hard to understand ('less intuitive') at the start.

 

[robeddie]

Didn't you say the same thing when the iPad was announced?

Whatever. Enjoy your really cool watch.

 

[Kebabselector]

Does anyone know how to change measurement units from miles to kms in the Activity app?

I'm hoping that'll be fixed in a software update.

 

[Mtmspa]

After having my Watch for just over a week I've decided to return it. I think it's an amazing piece of tech and Apple have done a great job but I realised it was becoming intrusive and established I don't need to know the minute an email or text arrives, basically I felt it wan't allowing me to detach from tech and just relax.

I think if I was a fitness fan I would probably keep it and turn off notifications as I think they've done a great job with the workout/activity app.

It will be interesting to see how the general consumer feels and whether these types of wearables will go mainstream or if others also feel it becomes too intrusive.

Sounds like you didn't learn how to customize it to your needs.

 

[FieldingMellish]

All those instructions are exhausting. I had no idea how much work there is to owning the watch.

 

[diegogaja]

My app updated immediately after I earned an achievement. I go in and check right after I get notified and it's always there.

It might be worth noting that the iPhone app only seems to refresh every hour (on the hour) and doesn't appear to have a manual refresh option, so it is rarely the best way to check on your progress (and newly earned achievements) throughout the day.

----------

It's no where near as complicated as these write ups make it seem. I have yet to read one and I've used it to track indoor and outdoor runds and and 18 miles bike ride. Movie tickets. Chatting on various apps. You get the pic. It's all quite apparent and self explanatory.

It's unfortunate that such detailed instructions are needed to understand and use some of the functionality of the Apple Watch. Apple used to pride itself on making UI's that were so simple and intuitive that no operating instructions were needed.

While undoubtably the best Smart Watch around, there are aspects of the UI that are more convoluted and complex than they perhaps ought to be.

But to paraphrase Steve, making things really simple is actually really hard.

 

[Karma*Police]

Does anyone know if the workouts continue if you leave the app? I've received texts on the watch but been scared to reply while on my exercise bike for fear of losing my progress.

It does. I used the workout app to track my walk and used the maps app on my iPhone to find my destination and set up walking turn by turn directions which automatically synced with my watch. My watch gave me directions as I walked (soooo much easier than using the iPhone, BTW) and after I got to my destination, I looked at my watch again and my workout app showed up. I force touched the display to stop tracking my "workout" and saved it.

Classic Apple... very well thought out and great integration with iPhone.

 

[MacVidCards]

It's so disturbing to see that so much effort went in to writing and formatting this incredibly in-depth walkthrough of something so incredibly simple. All of these things are so easy for about 95% of users to figure out on their own, and for the rest there is plenty of information already on Apple's website.

Why is MacRumors publishing these kinds of articles, and why is every single one of them being published under the name "Lory Gil"? What is going on here? Is MacRumors under new management or something?

Rather disappointing.

2/3 of recent articles total schlock for clicks

 

[Chrjy]

Sounds like you didn't learn how to customize it to your needs.

I certainly did as it's pretty straight forward. I only had notifications for email and text messages, nothing else. The only other way to customise it was to remove one or both of those things which would of kind of defeated its purpose.

I understand if people like it that's fine, it's a great piece of engineering but it didn't work for me and I guess the jury is still out for the masses, let's wait and see.

Oh and just to mention that I'm a developer also so am pretty familiar when it comes to using tech, I've ironically built an app for Apple Watch as well and understand the principle behind it.

 

[Billberryjuice]

My app updated immediately after I earned an achievement. I go in and check right after I get notified and it's always there.

Interesting... are you on a 6 or 6+ same as BD1? My 5s always takes forever to update, though I should note that this is mainly the numbers for the three rings, workouts seem to appear almost instantly, often leading to high active calorie values shown at the bottom and not at the top! Achievements seem to be even less reliable, sometimes appearing as soon as I get them and sometimes not (was a great feeling getting my first perfect week yesterday the system works!)

Perhaps it's my older iPhone model, or perhaps it's because I almost never leave wifi turned on and only use Bluetooth - will investigate.

 

[mdelvecchio]

Touche - BUT .... asssuming you already have an iphone, you already have all that 'functionality' (and more) before sinking another $400+ into the watch, ha!

er, no - your iphone does not have the same activity tracking functionality as the watch. such as detecting standing, heart rate, etc. even if it did, my phone sits in a dock on my desk, so it wouldnt be tracking my activity.

try harder.

 

[Eric87]

I'm hoping that'll be fixed in a software update.

You know, for a device in testing with athletes for so long, you'd think they had this covered...seems not the case.

 

[Kebabselector]

You know, for a device in testing with athletes for so long, you'd think they had this covered...seems not the case.

Depends on where the athletes were based. It is annoying as my sports are typically measured in Kilometres - and being in the UK it thinks I want miles!

 

[BD1]

Interesting... are you on a 6 or 6+ same as BD1? My 5s always takes forever to update, though I should note that this is mainly the numbers for the three rings, workouts seem to appear almost instantly, often leading to high active calorie values shown at the bottom and not at the top! Achievements seem to be even less reliable, sometimes appearing as soon as I get them and sometimes not (was a great feeling getting my first perfect week yesterday the system works!)

Perhaps it's my older iPhone model, or perhaps it's because I almost never leave wifi turned on and only use Bluetooth - will investigate.

Yes, 6+

 

[dnitzsche]

Is there any way to get audio feedback for miles and pace?

 

[diegogaja]

Just a 6

Interesting... are you on a 6 or 6+ same as BD1? My 5s always takes forever to update, though I should note that this is mainly the numbers for the three rings, workouts seem to appear almost instantly, often leading to high active calorie values shown at the bottom and not at the top! Achievements seem to be even less reliable, sometimes appearing as soon as I get them and sometimes not (was a great feeling getting my first perfect week yesterday the system works!)

Perhaps it's my older iPhone model, or perhaps it's because I almost never leave wifi turned on and only use Bluetooth - will investigate.

 

[chasteve]

Activity and Workout Apps on Apple Watch

Workout app might need to add more items..

A) Golf - walking or riding (I can walk 18 holes and get it done in
2 and half hours early in the morning.)

B) Swimming - apple watch can be weared in the pool, right?

C) Walking - Does the GPS track this activity?

D) Racquetball or basketball activities ..

E) weight lifting - do we gain anything?

It looks to me that other apps on Iphone are better tools. Do I need to get a fitbit?