10 Essential Fitness Hacks for Apple Watch Users
Maximize your workouts with these lesser-known Apple Watch features
1Customize Your Activity Rings
The Apple Watch's Fitness app features three activity rings (Move, Exercise, Stand) that track daily movement. Users can adjust their Move and Exercise goals to personal levels and even set different targets for each day of the week. Originally, these goals were static, but now you can schedule lower targets for rest days. Access these settings via the Fitness app's Activity Rings card, where you can modify goals using the +/- icons. This flexibility helps maintain motivation without overexertion.
2Alternative Wear Positions
While designed for wrists, the Apple Watch can be worn on the upper arm during kettlebell workouts or on the ankle when using standing desks to ensure step tracking. These positions may require longer bands, which are available for purchase. This hack is particularly useful for weightlifters using wrist wraps or those whose wrist movements don't accurately reflect their activity levels during certain exercises.
3Easier App Navigation During Workouts
Pressing the digital crown displays all installed apps in a clustered icon view by default. For easier mid-workout access, scroll to the bottom and select 'List View' to see apps alphabetically with names beside icons. This simple change makes tapping specific apps much more accurate when you're moving, eliminating frustration during runs or intense training sessions.
4Comprehensive Data with Bevel App
The free Bevel app creates a dashboard for Apple Watch health data that Apple's Health app currently lacks. Similar to Whoop or Oura rings, Bevel provides recovery scores and aggregates data from multiple sources. It works with other devices like Garmin watches and offers most features in its free tier. This third-party solution bridges the gap until Apple's promised Health app redesign arrives.
5Create Custom Interval Workouts
The Workout app now allows custom interval training through a timer icon on each workout type. Users can program specific workout lengths or interval patterns directly on the watch or more easily via iPhone. This represents significant evolution from the original start/stop tracker functionality, enabling tailored training sessions that match individual fitness goals and preferences.
6Race Against Your Previous Performance
For runners and cyclists, the Race Route feature automatically generates after completing the same route twice. Accessible via the Workout app's timer icon, it lets you compete against either your personal best or most recent time. During the activity, real-time feedback shows whether you're maintaining pace with your selected benchmark, adding motivational competition to familiar routes.
7Workout Tracking Without Your Watch
iOS 26 introduced phone-based workout tracking in the Fitness app. When your watch isn't available, you can log runs using your phone's GPS or indoor workouts via timer. While indoor sessions lack metrics, outdoor activities track distance and pace. You can pair heart rate monitors directly to your iPhone for more data. All logged workouts contribute to your activity rings and training load analysis.
8Connect to Treadmills for Accurate Data
While Apple Watch excels at outdoor tracking, treadmill workouts require manual calibration. The watch estimates indoor distance based on arm movement, which often differs from treadmill readings. For precision, users can manually enter treadmill data post-workout or use compatible treadmills that sync directly with the Health app. This ensures accurate distance and calorie tracking for indoor runners.
Original article: Lifehacker — 10 Essential Fitness Hacks for Apple Watch Users