Apps WorkOutDoors: New workout features

[Alsoff]

In two minds whether it's worth mentioning, but I noticed a small IOS 26 (I think) bug....

If I'm looking at any workout on my phone where I have the map in the middle of the screen and the graph for pace, heartrate, whatever below it, it's a nice feature to be able to move your finger along the graph and see the corresponding location highlighted on the map.

I think it's a recent thing, but you now have to move your finger along the graph very slowly. Too quick (most of the time) and the whole screen moves right - the equivalent of hitting the screen back button. For me this makes it more difficult to use.

 

[cfc]

Hey @cfc, I'm currently looking into generating turn by turn directions for GPX files with GraphHopper or equivalents.
I tried a few things in order to understand what WorkOutDoors accepts as input for navigation, and was successful with generating an accepted GPX using the free version of plotaroute after a few other unsuccessful attempts.

I'm noticing that the navigation items are simple waypoints, formatted as such:

<wpt lat="59.232101" lon="17.99095">
  <time>2025-09-18T00:28:13Z</time>
  <name>Turn left</name>
  <cmt>Turn left</cmt>
  <desc>Turn left</desc>
  <sym>Left</sym>
  <type>Waypoint</type>
</wpt>

Does WorkOutDoors recognize these waypoints as turn by turn directions by the symbol specified within <sym></sym>? In my sample I see Left, Right, Left_slight, Right_slight, Right_sharp

In theory the app should recognise directions in any of the name, desc, type or sym tags but I haven't checked that recently. Are you not seeing that?

It should certainly figure it out when it is in all the tags like in your example.

 

[cfc]

Yeah exactly, I'm typically creating routes via Strava & Komoot, neither of which include turn-by-turn navigation cues in their GPX.

For trail running route especially, detect bends isn't working out: due to the bendy nature of the trails themselves, the watch keeps sending unnecessary notifications.


I'm evaluating options at the moment to add turn notifications automatically based on map data.
On a simple street test, both Plotaroute and Footpath do well and they cost about the same per year.

Footpath's workflow is a lot better on mobile tho, and has a WatchOS app that provides pretty good offline navigation, even in Always On mode (WorkOutDoors's map/navigation freezes in AOD)

I don't know how close is @cfc in implementing navigation cues or routing within WorkOutDoors.
I'm considering making my own solution to add turn-by-turn waypoints to GPX files, if that doesn't take too much work.
For my use case, it would be convenient if it can imports Strava routes.

And with a free GrassHopper tier, this purpose buit solution would cost $0/month instead of

• $24/year for Footpath
• $27/year for Plotaroute
• $80/year for RideWithGPS - it's a great service but would be crazy pricing for adding navigation cues to existing GPX

I'm on the fence between trying to make a small proof of conept or just using Footpath for that.

Creating routes from within the app is probably not going to happen anytime soon. I investigated it using the map data that the app uses to display maps (because then it would work even when offline), and actually got it working for most situations. But the lack of some information (turn restrictions, one way streets etc) made me decide not to include it. It would probably have been fine for hiking but not for cycling.

I may use the map data to improve the bend detection for imported routes, which sounds similar to what you are suggesting, but by using the map data instead of an external service (which would be too expensive). However I don't plan to do that anytime soon.

 

[cfc]

In two minds whether it's worth mentioning, but I noticed a small IOS 26 (I think) bug....

If I'm looking at any workout on my phone where I have the map in the middle of the screen and the graph for pace, heartrate, whatever below it, it's a nice feature to be able to move your finger along the graph and see the corresponding location highlighted on the map.

I think it's a recent thing, but you now have to move your finger along the graph very slowly. Too quick (most of the time) and the whole screen moves right - the equivalent of hitting the screen back button. For me this makes it more difficult to use.

Yes, this is a change in iOS 26 that allows the user to swipe back by swiping anywhere on the screen.

I have fixed it in the code, so it should be ok in the next version. Thanks for the heads up though.

 

[NME42]

Though I am a WOD user since a lot of years, a beginner's question about maps.
As I am currently setting up a new Apple Watch Ultra 3, I am asking myself the question if it is necessary to transfer maps from all the places I usually travel to, to WOD.
My watch has cellular. Aren't maps loaded when I need them? Sure, I understand that having offline maps is a good backup in case there is no reception.

 

[cfc]

Though I am a WOD user since a lot of years, a beginner's question about maps.
As I am currently setting up a new Apple Watch Ultra 3, I am asking myself the question if it is necessary to transfer maps from all the places I usually travel to, to WOD.
My watch has cellular. Aren't maps loaded when I need them? Sure, I understand that having offline maps is a good backup in case there is no reception.

The app will load maps on demand, either using cellular on the watch or on the iPhone if you have it with you.

So you only need to send them from the Maps tab of the iPhone app if you are going somewhere without a cellular signal and need them when offline.

 

[NME42]

The app will load maps on demand, either using cellular on the watch or on the iPhone if you have it with you.

So you only need to send them from the Maps tab of the iPhone app if you are going somewhere without a cellular signal and need them when offline.

Thanks. So if I start somewhere with good reception and zoom out on the map and pan a bit on the map, the chances are good that the maps are available when I lose reception in a dense forest for example?
Will the maps be available offline after the workout?

 

[ILoveLavaLamps]

Workoutdoors, one developer makes a better training app then multi-million-dollar companies like Apple and Garmin. Just Amazing!

I have been away from apple Watch a while, but received Ultra 3 yesterday. And to be honest, this app is one of the reasons I'm back with Ultra.

I have a question regarding running against Previous Workouts. A feature I really like!

If I understand manual correct, I should see at yellow dot, on map. Also, maybe a route so I know how to run?! But I can't see any of that.

The metrics is there, but it don't care if I run the same route as the workout I try to compete against, and I don't see a yellow dot.

Any settings I miss?!

 

[Alsoff]

Yeah exactly, I'm typically creating routes via Strava & Komoot, neither of which include turn-by-turn navigation cues in their GPX.

For trail running route especially, detect bends isn't working out: due to the bendy nature of the trails themselves, the watch keeps sending unnecessary notifications.


I'm evaluating options at the moment to add turn notifications automatically based on map data.
On a simple street test, both Plotaroute and Footpath do well and they cost about the same per year.

Footpath's workflow is a lot better on mobile tho, and has a WatchOS app that provides pretty good offline navigation, even in Always On mode (WorkOutDoors's map/navigation freezes in AOD)

I don't know how close is @cfc in implementing navigation cues or routing within WorkOutDoors.
I'm considering making my own solution to add turn-by-turn waypoints to GPX files, if that doesn't take too much work.
For my use case, it would be convenient if it can imports Strava routes.

And with a free GrassHopper tier, this purpose buit solution would cost $0/month instead of

• $24/year for Footpath
• $27/year for Plotaroute
• $80/year for RideWithGPS - it's a great service but would be crazy pricing for adding navigation cues to existing GPX

I'm on the fence between trying to make a small proof of conept or just using Footpath for that.

If you're after a completely free way to add turn-by-turn directions to a GPX file, or to create routes from scratch, take a look at the Coros app.

It's designed as a companion app for Coros watches, but the mapping works fine standalone.

 

[WesFromParis]

For those curious about the AirPods Pro 3 heart rate sensor and WOD: I tested it by starting a run without wearing my Apple Watch on my wrist. The AirPods, which were paired to the watch, sent live heart rate data directly to WOD. It appears that when both the Watch and the AirPods are used during an activity, WOD (through Apple) will use the heart rate data from whichever device provides the most accurate signal.

 

[estesbubba]

Is there any way to make the elevation graph on the route screen to take up the entire area when the bottom line and all overrides are off?

 

[cfc]

Thanks. So if I start somewhere with good reception and zoom out on the map and pan a bit on the map, the chances are good that the maps are available when I lose reception in a dense forest for example?
Will the maps be available offline after the workout?

The app never deletes maps unless you ask, so zooming and panning to show maps when you can will mean that those maps will still be available when offline. Make sure to zoom to the level you want to see though as the app only downloads the tiles for the zoom level on display.

 

[cfc]

Workoutdoors, one developer makes a better training app then multi-million-dollar companies like Apple and Garmin. Just Amazing!

I have been away from apple Watch a while, but received Ultra 3 yesterday. And to be honest, this app is one of the reasons I'm back with Ultra.

I have a question regarding running against Previous Workouts. A feature I really like!

If I understand manual correct, I should see at yellow dot, on map. Also, maybe a route so I know how to run?! But I can't see any of that.

The metrics is there, but it don't care if I run the same route as the workout I try to compete against, and I don't see a yellow dot.

Any settings I miss?!

Thanks for your kind words!

For the yellow dot are you showing a screen with the Target profile? By default the yellow dot is only shown for that. However you can override that in the Settings tab by going to Pace & Distance and setting "Show target on map" to Yes instead of Auto.

 

[cfc]

Is there any way to make the elevation graph on the route screen to take up the entire area when the bottom line and all overrides are off?

Not at the moment. I may look into it if enough people request it though.

 

[supercurio]

Creating routes from within the app is probably not going to happen anytime soon. I investigated it using the map data that the app uses to display maps (because then it would work even when offline), and actually got it working for most situations. But the lack of some information (turn restrictions, one way streets etc) made me decide not to include it. It would probably have been fine for hiking but not for cycling.

Thanks for the details of your investigation so far.
I learned that route planners like GraphHopper or OSRM parse OSM data in order to create graphs, some of which can get pretty large in order to create routes quickly. These graphs are then cached and can become big quickly. It's certainly feasible on the Apple Watch - Apple Maps has a fully offline routing feature nowadays - Yet it's anything but trivial to implement.

What's typically built in apps is OSRM since it's written in C++, BSD licensed and extremely fast.
I'm guessing it's what's used by devices like Garmin watches with routing or bike computers to do off-line routing and re-routing.

I may use the map data to improve the bend detection for imported routes, which sounds similar to what you are suggesting, but by using the map data instead of an external service (which would be too expensive). However I don't plan to do that anytime soon.

Exactly, adding the turning cues from map data instead of the bends is what I'm looking for.

If you're after a completely free way to add turn-by-turn directions to a GPX file, or to create routes from scratch, take a look at the Coros app.

It's designed as a companion app for Coros watches, but the mapping works fine standalone.

Thanks for the suggestion, I just tried it the current iOS app and while it generates promising routes with accurate turn-by-turn directions, the GPX it exports for the same same route only contains track points with coordinates and altitudes, but not the navigation cues.
Which version of the app worked for you?

 

[rwilliams]

First of all, I want to say that version 6 of this app is remarkable. I finally got a chance to test all the new features on a hike and it was flawless. Thank you for all the hard work.

I have a small request: for the watch, could you also at some point include an inverted complication/icon (yellow man on black circle)? On faces like Modular Ultra, I tend to use “multicolor” and an inverted icon would blend in better with the watch screen.

Thank you and keep up the great work.

 

[cfc]

First of all, I want to say that version 6 of this app is remarkable. I finally got a chance to test all the new features on a hike and it was flawless. Thank you for all the hard work.

I have a small request: for the watch, could you also at some point include an inverted complication/icon (yellow man on black circle)? On faces like Modular Ultra, I tend to use “multicolor” and an inverted icon would blend in better with the watch screen.

Thank you and keep up the great work.

You can do this by going to the Settings on the watch and then tapping Theme. Then disable the option at the bottom of that screen.

 

[rwilliams]

You can do this by going to the Settings on the watch and then tapping Theme. Then disable the option at the bottom of that screen.

Wow, I never knew that was there. I’ve disabled it, but I see the note that it could take a while to take effect. Thanks!

 

[supercurio]

2 days ago I used WOD to navigate during 2 consecutive bike rides.
Mapping failed on both in different ways:

Conditions in common​

• Apple Watch 7 WatchOS 26 connected to iPhone iOS 26
• iPhone has no connectivity
• WorkOutDoors 6.1.12
• FIT course with navigation clues loaded for turn by turn navigation

First ride​

Description​

• maps downloaded for the watch with a large ~200x200km area cached
• FIT route with navigation clues loaded for turn by turn navigation
• the view only showed the breadcrumb navigation for the route on top of generic map background

Workaround​

Enabling a Wi-Fi hotspot on my Android phone and making sure the Apple Watch connected to that Wi-Fi.
The iPhone also gained connectivity via the mobile hotspot.

Second ride, first failure​

Description​

• maps downloaded for the watch with a large ~200x200km area cached
• TCX route with navigation cues loaded for turn by turn navigation
• the view showed the breadcrumb navigation on top of very low detail vector maps
• zooming out shows a fraction of large area cached

Workaround​

• Enabling connectivity didn't work this time
• Cleared all cached maps on the iPhone and Watch
• Using a mobile hotspot, downloaded maps for the route loaded by pressing "Send Map" on the route viewer

Second ride, 2nd failure​

Description​

• maps downloaded for the watch for this route just earlier
• TCX route with navigation cues loaded for turn by turn navigation
• the view shows the breadcrumb navigation, no map. See 1st photo attached
• zooming out shows nothing

Workaround​

• Cleared all iPhone and Watch map cache
• Downloaded maps again on the watch for the active route
• WOD map back to normal

I tried to reproduce the issue since with similar conditions with walk and bike rides but have not been able to yet.

It was annoying to stop and faff with the watch & phone to try to find workaround during these rides with transportation purpose, but I wanted to figure it out to make this bug report.
It would be more of an issue during a trail run however, in that case I typically won't have connectivity and navigation would be limited to breadcrumb without map: a loss of the main WorkOutDoors feature for my use case.

How it looked like​

No map shown at any zoom level


Maps cached on the watch


After finding a workaround


@cfc is that a known issue?

 

[BD1]

Not at the moment. I may look into it if enough people request it though.

I would like this. Just did some climbing hikes and would have like this.

 

[cfc]

2 days ago I used WOD to navigate during 2 consecutive bike rides.
Mapping failed on both in different ways:

Conditions in common​

• Apple Watch 7 WatchOS 26 connected to iPhone iOS 26
• iPhone has no connectivity
• WorkOutDoors 6.1.12
• FIT course with navigation clues loaded for turn by turn navigation

First ride​

Description​

• maps downloaded for the watch with a large ~200x200km area cached
• FIT route with navigation clues loaded for turn by turn navigation
• the view only showed the breadcrumb navigation for the route on top of generic map background

Workaround​

Enabling a Wi-Fi hotspot on my Android phone and making sure the Apple Watch connected to that Wi-Fi.
The iPhone also gained connectivity via the mobile hotspot.

Second ride, first failure​

Description​

• maps downloaded for the watch with a large ~200x200km area cached
• TCX route with navigation cues loaded for turn by turn navigation
• the view showed the breadcrumb navigation on top of very low detail vector maps
• zooming out shows a fraction of large area cached

Workaround​

• Enabling connectivity didn't work this time
• Cleared all cached maps on the iPhone and Watch
• Using a mobile hotspot, downloaded maps for the route loaded by pressing "Send Map" on the route viewer

Second ride, 2nd failure​

Description​

• maps downloaded for the watch for this route just earlier
• TCX route with navigation cues loaded for turn by turn navigation
• the view shows the breadcrumb navigation, no map. See 1st photo attached
• zooming out shows nothing

Workaround​

• Cleared all iPhone and Watch map cache
• Downloaded maps again on the watch for the active route
• WOD map back to normal

I tried to reproduce the issue since with similar conditions with walk and bike rides but have not been able to yet.

It was annoying to stop and faff with the watch & phone to try to find workaround during these rides with transportation purpose, but I wanted to figure it out to make this bug report.
It would be more of an issue during a trail run however, in that case I typically won't have connectivity and navigation would be limited to breadcrumb without map: a loss of the main WorkOutDoors feature for my use case.

How it looked like​

No map shown at any zoom level
View attachment 2555710

Maps cached on the watch
View attachment 2555711

After finding a workaround
View attachment 2555712

@cfc is that a known issue?

Sorry you had problems. There is an issue with offline caching in the current version, but only for Thunderforest maps and it looks like you are using the default Mapbox maps.

However you could try the latest beta which fixes the Thunderforest issue if you want? It may also help with what you are seeing, although no-one else has mentioned it with Mapbox. If so then please email me at info@workoutdoors.net

 

[Alsoff]

Thanks for the suggestion, I just tried it the current iOS app and while it generates promising routes with accurate turn-by-turn directions, the GPX it exports for the same same route only contains track points with coordinates and altitudes, but not the navigation cues.
Which version of the app worked for you?

Sigh... Sorry for the dud suggestion. I've taken another look and now can't get Coros to export the navigation cues.

It seems my original testing was flawed. I was importing gpx files into Coros from Plotaroute and I think the turn by turn directions were being retained from there.

 

[kabzior]

Just a quick report - everything looks and works fine on the AWU3, and scales correctly. No issues, everything works exactly the same as on the AWU1.

 

[ILoveLavaLamps]

Thanks for your kind words!

For the yellow dot are you showing a screen with the Target profile? By default the yellow dot is only shown for that. However you can override that in the Settings tab by going to Pace & Distance and setting "Show target on map" to Yes instead of Auto.

Thanks. Perfect, I found it.

A dream would be that the route from old workout is added also. And to see the yellow dot following route. Probably only me using this feature, but let me dream 😊

I have added route manual from old workout, not a big job, so see this as a low prio wish.

 

[supercurio]

Sorry you had problems. There is an issue with offline caching in the current version, but only for Thunderforest maps and it looks like you are using the default Mapbox maps.

However you could try the latest beta which fixes the Thunderforest issue if you want? It may also help with what you are seeing, although no-one else has mentioned it with Mapbox. If so then please email me at info@workoutdoors.net

The Thunderforest maps are the ones I had active, sorry I forgot to mention that important element in my report!
I'm interested trying the beta for that, so I'll shoot you another email 😊

I'm using WorkOutDoors every day and was unable to reproduce the empty map issue since - only the low-detail one. It looks like I was unlucky with my initial use, that issue is not as common as I imagined.

Sigh... Sorry for the dud suggestion. I've taken another look and now can't get Coros to export the navigation cues.

It seems my original testing was flawed. I was importing gpx files into Coros from Plotaroute and I think the turn by turn directions were being retained from there.

That was a good suggestion, I found it interesting to see how Coros implements that in their app and watch - both getting positive reviews in terms of navigation capabilities.

I asked about versions because I tried the iOS app only. Was your test with the Android app?
Although unlikely, it's also possible that the Coros app exported cues before but removed them after realizing it was only aiding competing solution 😋