- I'm considering picking up the original watch since they're going for fairly cheap right now -- My requirements however are for a device that can handle at least semi-serious workout tracking, steps, estimated calorie burn, and notifications at minimum.
I'm currently using a Garmin Vivosmart (which is having display issues) and use a Scosche Rhythm+ to record heart rate during workouts since the Vivosmart doesn't have a HR monitor. My workouts generally consist of Cardio, Weight Training, and stretching and some involve a fair amount of jumping around which optical HRM's seem to have some difficulty with.
Is there anybody out there using their watch for at least semi-serious workout tracking and do you feel that it's working well for that purpose? If so, what app or apps are you using besides Health if any?
Would I be better off waiting for the Watch 2 for the GPS and waterproofing? I don't currently run or swim, but might like to add 1 or both to my routine in the future.
Just trying to get a feel for whether or not the Apple Watch 1 or 2 is ready for prime time as a fitness tracking device or if I'd be better off going with a device more geared toward fitness tracking with some smartwatch functionality vs. a smartwatch with some fitness tracking capabilities.
Thanks!Ariza16 likes this.09-15-2016 12:26 PMLike 1 - Hey Papajin, i currently use my Apple Watch for fitness tracking and who doesn't appreciate the notifications at a glance. First of, i love the Apple Watch for tracking my runs, both outdoors and treadmill running. The Apple Watch comes with an Activity app that shows you the calories burn, steps taken, the times you been more active throughout the day. You can set the app to prompt you to get up every hour if you sit a lot maybe at work.
It also comes with a Workout app that you can turn on to track your running both indoor and outdoors, cycling indoors and outdoors, elliptical, rower, stair stepper, and "other". I can't say i've tried them all, but the running both indoors and outdoors works great, the walk, and i use "other" when I'm playing sports. The HR sensor is on throughout the workout which will be displayed on your screen now with the new Watch OS3, at the end of the work out it will give you your avg HR along other information about the workout.
I love that now with the Watch OS3 you can compete with other friends that have Apple watch to see who burned more calories than the other one, or who ran more or what not, which is fun to help you push harder in your workouts to beat your friends or just motivation to get up and do some exercises.
And you can wear it all day, tracking all your movements for steps and calories burned, and the notifications are great when you can't be on your phone, from answering msgs, to checking Instagram.
I personally love this Watch, you can personalize the watch face how you want it, and i currently own the first Apple Watch and with watch OS3 it works better than before. And I've seen it being offered for about $200, for all those features its a great fitness tracker/watch. BTW you can also download 3rd party workout apps, but some might require the iPhone to be near for full functionality.Papajin likes this.09-15-2016 12:55 PMLike 1 - Hi Ariza,
Thanks very much for the response. My fiance owns a Watch 1 which I'm going to see if I can test out during my workout tonight -- that is if I can pry it off her wrist... She's very protective of it. I have an iPhone SE, so not a huge deal if I need to have the phone with me, but it'd be even better if I could track everything I want without needing it.09-15-2016 04:25 PMLike 0 -
- I was asked to come and provide my feedback as an avid and serious exercise enthusiast
Hi Sherry
I have had my Apple Watch Series 0 since it was launched and have used it to track every single workout since. Almost 500 of them. I train heavily with weights, run, bike and do all sorts of mobility work, even yoga. I jump rope like a fiend and dabble in some of the crazy CrossFit stuff.
The Apple Watch is a great fitness companion, but it will not give you 100% accurate heart rate information. Since you have the Scosche Rhythm+ getting your HR from your wrist, you know that unless you use a dedicated chest strap you wont get accurate HR, but the aplw is good enough for most aspects of fitness. If you really want a better solution you can pair a BT chest strap to the aplw and get really good quantification of your HR.
It does a pretty decent job at tracking steps as long as you do the 20 minute outdoor walk calibration. I am no longer into step tracking as it is a poor measure of fitness. But I still look to see how many steps I get each day. As for calorie burn during activity, it uses your health data for weight and the HR information to calculate your estimated calorie burn. And like step tracking calculating calorie burn into my nutrition tracking is not something I do anymore. I did for a long time, but again it is not an accurate way to keep your calories in check since the rest of the day has more to do with your overall calorie burn than your hour workout.
What I like is it gives me access to my music while I train, and quick glances to my notifications from my phone. I don't like t stop training to check a text, but if I see it is something important I am able too.
As for apps that I use, on the aplw, I only use the stock workout app, and with the updates in watchOS3 it is perfect. I use a few apps on the iPhone though. Not sure if that is something you want to know about but if it is let me know.
As for the watch, I would not get the discounted series 0 watches. If you don't need the GPS then get the revamped series 1. I have my series 2 on the way because I want the GPS for my runs etc.
Hope that helps and if not just ask. I am here to provide info as needed.09-15-2016 05:17 PMLike 2 -
- I was asked to come and provide my feedback as an avid and serious exercise enthusiast
Hi Sherry
I have had my Apple Watch Series 0 since it was launched and have used it to track every single workout since. Almost 500 of them. I train heavily with weights, run, bike and do all sorts of mobility work, even yoga. I jump rope like a fiend and dabble in some of the crazy CrossFit stuff.
The Apple Watch is a great fitness companion, but it will not give you 100% accurate heart rate information. Since you have the Scosche Rhythm+ getting your HR from your wrist, you know that unless you use a dedicated chest strap you wont get accurate HR, but the aplw is good enough for most aspects of fitness. If you really want a better solution you can pair a BT chest strap to the aplw and get really good quantification of your HR.
It does a pretty decent job at tracking steps as long as you do the 20 minute outdoor walk calibration. I am no longer into step tracking as it is a poor measure of fitness. But I still look to see how many steps I get each day. As for calorie burn during activity, it uses your health data for weight and the HR information to calculate your estimated calorie burn. And like step tracking calculating calorie burn into my nutrition tracking is not something I do anymore. I did for a long time, but again it is not an accurate way to keep your calories in check since the rest of the day has more to do with your overall calorie burn than your hour workout.
What I like is it gives me access to my music while I train, and quick glances to my notifications from my phone. I don't like t stop training to check a text, but if I see it is something important I am able too.
As for apps that I use, on the aplw, I only use the stock workout app, and with the updates in watchOS3 it is perfect. I use a few apps on the iPhone though. Not sure if that is something you want to know about but if it is let me know.
As for the watch, I would not get the discounted series 0 watches. If you don't need the GPS then get the revamped series 1. I have my series 2 on the way because I want the GPS for my runs etc.
Hope that helps and if not just ask. I am here to provide info as needed.Last edited by Papajin; 09-15-2016 at 11:41 PM.
bamf-hacker likes this.09-15-2016 06:19 PMLike 1 -
Can you elaborate more about this step calibration thing?
Edit: Nevermind.. I found it!(for anyone else who needs it): https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204516
Last edited by Sherry_B; 09-15-2016 at 06:42 PM.
bamf-hacker likes this.09-15-2016 06:23 PMLike 1 - Can I bother you with a few more questions?
The Workout app is really only a tracker of heartrate, will calculate calories burned etc?
You can not create a workout routine that will guide you through each exercise, number of reps, rest between reps, rest between exercises etc? Are there apps that can do that?
Also, the health app does not have a web dashboard to view data on, correct?
Thanks for your time.10-06-2016 11:44 PMLike 0
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Anybody using their watch for serious fitness tracking?
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