Hello guys. I was super excited about using the watch in conjunction with my gym/exercise regime. While I'm loving having this device I'm slightly upset at the lack of exercise options available by default in the workout app. No weights, no Insanity, no Les Mills, boxercise, kettle bells etc etc. Anyone aware of a work around?
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Apps Workout app lacking
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Nope. It measures your HR and counts active calories if you are in your target zone. I have used Other for some p90X workouts and it tracks well.
Here is what Other says the first time you use it:
Attachments
Indoor Walk and Outdoor Walk are for walking. Other is for any other exercise activity that is not listed.
Workout app lacking
I use "other" when using weights and machines at the gym and it has been working for me so far
I use "other" when using weights and machines at the gym and it has been working for me so far
I use "other" when using weights and machines at the gym and it has been working for me so far
OK thanks - i will try this evening
Ummm. The jury's out for me. I did a 10 min indoor run, just broke a sweat and burned 139 calories. I then tried the 'other' option for some weights over 35 mins. I was exhausted yet allegedly only burnt 84 cals?? ##
I'm not sure that there are really any apps/smart watcher/other devices that are capable of assessing the number of calories burned for weight related activities.
If I'm wrong about this, I'm sure that someone will correct me.
I really like the workout app and have been using it daily ever since I got the watch. I'm 68 years old and either walk or use it with my Schwinn Air-Dyne exercise bike.
My only problem with the walk part is that the standard for a "brisk" walk seems pretty high. I wish I knew how it calculated credit for walking. I do what I think is pretty brisk walk for 2 miles but only get credit for a few minutes of exercise.
The Air-Dyne has a computer that gives almost twice the calorie consumption that the watch allows. The Air-Dyne has an upper body exercise function that is also used with the cycling activity, which might explain it. I'm sure there is a very complex algorithm that computes calories used!
I also kayak (I live on a lake) and haven't tried the "Other" activity yet, but plan to do that soon. Maybe they will consider a kayaking activity at some point as it is measurable for distance using the GPS function. No big deal anyway, I think kayaking isn't that common an exercise, though it is a good one and fun.
I'm very hopeful that the watch will play a big role in my fitness routine. I waited to get a "fitness watch" until Apple came out with a product, expecting it would be a top notch entry into the category. We'll see!
My only problem with the walk part is that the standard for a "brisk" walk seems pretty high. I wish I knew how it calculated credit for walking. I do what I think is pretty brisk walk for 2 miles but only get credit for a few minutes of exercise.
The Air-Dyne has a computer that gives almost twice the calorie consumption that the watch allows. The Air-Dyne has an upper body exercise function that is also used with the cycling activity, which might explain it. I'm sure there is a very complex algorithm that computes calories used!
I also kayak (I live on a lake) and haven't tried the "Other" activity yet, but plan to do that soon. Maybe they will consider a kayaking activity at some point as it is measurable for distance using the GPS function. No big deal anyway, I think kayaking isn't that common an exercise, though it is a good one and fun.
I'm very hopeful that the watch will play a big role in my fitness routine. I waited to get a "fitness watch" until Apple came out with a product, expecting it would be a top notch entry into the category. We'll see!
How the hell is the Apple watch supposed to detect what weight you're using? It only has a few sensors and those ones are targeted for specific exercises, mainly cardio. That's it.
Until they develop sensors that can go inside your brain and detect how much force you're using, you'll have to do it the old fashioned way of writing it down. Though there are apps for that.
I also mentioned a number of very popular well known around the world, gym class routines. But, just returning to my query about using weights, my heart rate shot up, I was exhausted, I certainly burnt many calories but the watch didn't reflect that.
There's not a device out there that can accurately calculate calorie burn lifting weights. A typical weight lifting session doesn't raise your heart rate a ton like cardio. That's how it's measured, HR. With lifting weights your heart rate doesn't go up a lot but never the less you are burning up calories. It's just hard to measure.
With lifting weights your heart rate doesn't go up a lot??? Maybe how you're lifting but when I'm deadlifting, benching or squatting my HR sure as heck goes up!!
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The problem with the activity app is that they need to give the user the option to edit/rename "other" so looking back you have a clue of what that "other" session was.
For short periods of time. The algorithms are based on it being elevated at a more or less steady rate. Rests between sets, moving stations, adjusting weight etc throws that off.
it sure as hell does. It is more like hiit training more than anything. Spikes upwards of 150 are pretty typical for me with it dropping down fast the watch is averaging 90 for me which seems low. id estimate mine being 105/110-155 for weight training.
After my first day with the watch I gave up on its HR tracking ability and wear a chest strap wahoo tckr that connects via Bluetooth to give the watch an accurate HR reading.
I use the Nike+ GPS app on run days.
However, I use "other" on my 10 minute warm up and non-run days.
On my warm up before running, I do a combination of stretching and dynamic stretching + a brisk 5 min walk. All told about 10 min. I leave watch in Other the entire time and it seems to work well.
On non-run days, I leave it in Other by entire gym time. This includes the 10 min warm up mentioned above, 15-20 brisk walk with hills on a treadmill + 15-30 minutes of weights. Typically 40 to 60 min workout.
For total calories, it seems to be within reason. HR seems to be accurate (of curse not perfect, but accurate). My only real issue is I'm use to using my watch for the 30 seconds rest between sets and 60 sec rest between exercises on weights. I find the watch doesn't do a great job with pulling your wrist up and taking a look. But then the exact second it not really important.
I know it would effect battery life, but wish the stopwatch or exercise time would continue to show until you twisted your arm away.
Overall I'm pleased.
However, I use "other" on my 10 minute warm up and non-run days.
On my warm up before running, I do a combination of stretching and dynamic stretching + a brisk 5 min walk. All told about 10 min. I leave watch in Other the entire time and it seems to work well.
On non-run days, I leave it in Other by entire gym time. This includes the 10 min warm up mentioned above, 15-20 brisk walk with hills on a treadmill + 15-30 minutes of weights. Typically 40 to 60 min workout.
For total calories, it seems to be within reason. HR seems to be accurate (of curse not perfect, but accurate). My only real issue is I'm use to using my watch for the 30 seconds rest between sets and 60 sec rest between exercises on weights. I find the watch doesn't do a great job with pulling your wrist up and taking a look. But then the exact second it not really important.
I know it would effect battery life, but wish the stopwatch or exercise time would continue to show until you twisted your arm away.
Overall I'm pleased.
There's no way they're NOT going to add a "Weightlifting" option to the Workout app. Many people weightlift and defaulting it to Other is just stupid.
I've even sent in a feature request for the Weightlifting option to Apple. I suggest all of you do the same to hopefully get this implemented quicker.
I've even sent in a feature request for the Weightlifting option to Apple. I suggest all of you do the same to hopefully get this implemented quicker.
Agree and I did the same. Some of my initial AW feedback was fixed in 1.0.1 (of course others submitted the same issues).
People should keeping sending in feedback:
https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html
While adding weight lifting is good and fine, what measure do you expect to have? I mean do you expect to enter your reps/set/exercise? Enter your desired rest period? The amount of weights in lbs? Do you expect it to count for you?
I have tried dedicated lifting apps. But there was so much manual entry to do, while exercising, I lost interest quickly.
I have tried dedicated lifting apps. But there was so much manual entry to do, while exercising, I lost interest quickly.
No, I don't want anything like that. I just want something that will accurately watch the heart rate while doing weight lifting.
The way it does it now, it's not THAT accurate from what I've noticed.