Apps WorkOutDoors: New workout features

[cfc]

@cfc For Watch OS 9 which Metric is the current power metric in WOD? The one I see "Power - Current power in Watts " says it requires a sensor where a couple other power metrics say "watch OS 9."

Sorry that is a typo. I hadn't changed the description for that metric to read "watchOS 9 or sensor". I changed all the others but didn't cut & paste that one. I have changed it in the code for the next version.

If we do find out what models of watch it works on then I will have to modify it again to specify them (if there is room).

 

[Dr Kevorkian94]

Sorry that is a typo. I hadn't changed the description for that metric to read "watchOS 9 or sensor". I changed all the others but didn't cut & paste that one. I have changed it in the code for the next version.

If we do find out what models of watch it works on then I will have to modify it again to specify them (if there is room).

Awesome thank you! I’ll give it a go later today. I appreciate the quick reply

 

[WalkRun]

@cfc The new TIME IN PACE ZONE 0 metric doesn't work correctly in the watch during the running workout. I suspect the issue is that it only counts the time when the zone is exactly 0, and not when it is between 0 and 1.

I need this feature because I spend most of the running workout walking (just because I can only run continuously during a short time), so I wanted to use Speed zone 0 to count the time I'm walking, but it doesn't work.

It does however show the total time in Zone 0 after finishing the workout, through the phone app. But during the workout, in the watch it doesn't count correctly.

It would be great if you could fix this.

 

[cfc]

@cfc The new TIME IN PACE ZONE 0 metric doesn't work correctly in the watch during the running workout. I suspect the issue is that it only counts the time when the zone is exactly 0, and not when it is between 0 and 1.

I need this feature because I spend most of the running workout walking (just because I can only run continuously during a short time), so I wanted to use Speed zone 0 to count the time I'm walking, but it doesn't work.

It does however show the total time in Zone 0 after finishing the workout, through the phone app. But during the workout, in the watch it doesn't count correctly.

It would be great if you could fix this.

I will take a look.

 

[G.McGilli]

@cfc Congrats on being in the DC Rainmaker AWU video review.

If I had not already found out about your app - I would have bought it today after seeing his review of the watch.

 

[cfc]

@cfc Congrats on being in the DC Rainmaker AWU video review.

If I had not already found out about your app - I would have bought it today after seeing his review of the watch.

That's great to hear. Ray's reviews are the best IMHO. He has mentioned WOD a few times over the years, starting with his review of the series 3 back in 2017.

The app was very new back then and quite basic (not much more than a map) but he kindly included several screenshots in his review and took the time to answer my questions about what I needed to do to improve it. He is also one of the few reviewers to refuse on principle when I offered him a promo code to get the app for free. One of the good guys.

 

[daanjj]

What model of watch does he have? From what I have heard the power zones are only available on the series 6 and later. However Apple do not say this in any of their official documentation that I can see. They do mention that the other running metrics require the S6+ so it seems likely that power is similarly restricted.

I was hoping that the limitation was only in the betas but it seems to still be there from what I have seen and heard. It could be that they are not specific because they are still trying to get it working on earlier models, but that is probably unlikely.

He has a series 7 watch that is a few weeks old. So you expect power to be available on a series 7 watch?

 

[NME42]

WorkoutDoors is mentioned in DC Rainmaker's AW Ultra Review:

Apple Watch Ultra In-Depth Review: It’s a Start!

The Apple Watch Ultra is Apple’s real first foray into a watch suited for endurance sports, and other sporty adventures. Sure, Apple’s WatchOS 9 update for many of their other watches, including the recent Apple Watch Series 8, has brought

www.dcrainmaker.com

 

[cfc]

He has a series 7 watch that is a few weeks old. So you expect power to be available on a series 7 watch?

It definitely should work on a series 7. It is worth checking that he has enabled all the health permissions for the app. The latest one has to ask for extra permissions for each of the new running metrics.

To check this go to Apple's Settings app on the iPhone and tap Privacy then Health then WorkOutDoors. Then make sure that every switch is enabled (scroll down to check them all).

 

[cfc]

WorkoutDoors is mentioned in DC Rainmaker's AW Ultra Review:

Apple Watch Ultra In-Depth Review: It’s a Start!

The Apple Watch Ultra is Apple’s real first foray into a watch suited for endurance sports, and other sporty adventures. Sure, Apple’s WatchOS 9 update for many of their other watches, including the recent Apple Watch Series 8, has brought

www.dcrainmaker.com

That is good to see. He is probably right that the app has too many features and that I need to say No more often when people ask for them!

 

[Mauki]

Who switched from a Garmin to Workoutdoors and used Livetracking on the Garmin?

I use this feature a lot because on my trail runs I'm on routes where no one is going to come by right away. It's mainly to let my wife know where I am in case something happens.

Workoutdoors can't do live tracking, you need a real service with a server for that.
How did you solve this with the Apple Watch? Is there a sensible option where not only the location is visible?

 

[Bacasable]

Who switched from a Garmin to Workoutdoors and used Livetracking on the Garmin?

I use this feature a lot because on my trail runs I'm on routes where no one is going to come by right away. It's mainly to let my wife know where I am in case something happens.

Workoutdoors can't do live tracking, you need a real service with a server for that.
How did you solve this with the Apple Watch? Is there a sensible option where not only the location is visible?

why not use find my, that's how my wife follow me on track
Off course you need both iphone

 

[tomislavf]

Who switched from a Garmin to Workoutdoors and used Livetracking on the Garmin?

I use this feature a lot because on my trail runs I'm on routes where no one is going to come by right away. It's mainly to let my wife know where I am in case something happens.

Workoutdoors can't do live tracking, you need a real service with a server for that.
How did you solve this with the Apple Watch? Is there a sensible option where not only the location is visible?

If you have your iPhone with you, you can use Bluelane. It also has an Apple Watch app, but it only acts as a remote for the iPhone app (it can't be used alone with cellular).

 

[Mauki]

why not use find my, that's how my wife follow me on track
Off course you need both iphone

If you have your iPhone with you, you can use Bluelane. It also has an Apple Watch app, but it only acts as a remote for the iPhone app (it can't be used alone with cellular).

When the Apple Watch Ultra is here, I can finally leave the iPhone at home while running. I have been dreaming of this for a long time.

So no, iPhone is not included and is not a solution.

 

[maxsandis]

That is good to see. He is probably right that the app has too many features and that I need to say No more often when people ask for them!

I love that you have so many features, keep it up.
DC Rainmaker would be the first to complain if it didn't, he only mentions it might be to complicated for the casual user, but they usually just use the standard Apple apps.

Your app is one of the main reasons why I'm switching to the Apple Watch Ultra from Garmin.

 

[firewire9000]

Who switched from a Garmin to Workoutdoors and used Livetracking on the Garmin?

I use this feature a lot because on my trail runs I'm on routes where no one is going to come by right away. It's mainly to let my wife know where I am in case something happens.

Workoutdoors can't do live tracking, you need a real service with a server for that.
How did you solve this with the Apple Watch? Is there a sensible option where not only the location is visible?

Just use the find my app, works perfectly fine.

 

[fancy_pance]

When the Apple Watch Ultra is here, I can finally leave the iPhone at home while running. I have been dreaming of this for a long time.

So no, iPhone is not included and is not a solution.

You don’t need to take your iPhone with you. They were just saying that both you and your wife need to be in the Apple ecosystem in order to use those apps.

 

[Mauki]

Just use the find my app, works perfectly fine.

Yes, that could be an emergency solution, even if it's not a good one.

At least you can see approximately where I am. But that's all, because most of the trails I'm on are not even available on the Apple maps.

And you can't see which way I went before.

 

[Mauki]

You don’t need to take your iPhone with you. They were just saying that both you and your wife need to be in the Apple ecosystem in order to use those apps.

Yes, she use an iPhone too.

 

[firewire9000]

Yes, that could be an emergency solution, even if it's not a good one.

At least you can see approximately where I am. But that's all, because most of the trails I'm on are not even available on the Apple maps.

And you can't see which way I went before.

Ah ok I see, you mean sharing your location with a trail map. You can do it with the Komoot app in your iPhone, not sure if the feature is also available for the Apple Watch.

 

[Mauki]

Ah ok I see, you mean sharing your location with a trail map. You can do it with the Komoot app in your iPhone, not sure if the feature is also available for the Apple Watch.

Komoot only when you pay.

Can I run two apps on the AW at the same time?

WOD and an app for Livetracking?

 

[cfc]

Komoot only when you pay.

Can I run two apps on the AW at the same time?

WOD and an app for Livetracking?

That should be fine. The only limitation along those lines is that you cannot use two apps that are both running a workout at the same time. There is no limitation for GPS as far as I know, so a workout app and a tracking app should be fine.

 

[BlackOrange]

Some Feedback regarding the “Screen Bottom Line” Zone visualisation.

Thanks for including them. For me they add value and will for sure be used on all my screens.

Bottom Screen Configuration:

The setup is a bit difficult to understand but still does not give all the options I would wish for, as it does not give the freedom to setup every zone for every screen.
For example I would have liked to have the “Pace Zones” on my “Target Profile Screen” and “Heart Rate” on my “Heart Screen” and for the Interval different ones depending on the workout. Currently that is not possible.
I think adding the setup of the “Screen Bottom Line” to the “Screens Setup” and making it fully customisable on a per screen level would be a win for usability and customisation options.

Heart Rate, Pace/Speed and Power Zone Settings:

I’m confused why the Zone 0-6 naming is different for Heart Rate compared to Pace/Speed and Power Zone.
I would expect them to be the same as in all of my training plans I have universal zones for heart rate and pace.
Is there a reason for differentiating the zones?

 

[cfc]

Some Feedback regarding the “Screen Bottom Line” Zone visualisation.

Thanks for including them. For me they add value and will for sure be used on all my screens.

Bottom Screen Configuration:

The setup is a bit difficult to understand but still does not give all the options I would wish for, as it does not give the freedom to setup every zone for every screen.
For example I would have liked to have the “Pace Zones” on my “Target Profile Screen” and “Heart Rate” on my “Heart Screen” and for the Interval different ones depending on the workout. Currently that is not possible.
I think adding the setup of the “Screen Bottom Line” to the “Screens Setup” and making it fully customisable on a per screen level would be a win for usability and customisation options.

Heart Rate, Pace/Speed and Power Zone Settings:

I’m confused why the Zone 0-6 naming is different for Heart Rate compared to Pace/Speed and Power Zone.
I would expect them to be the same as in all of my training plans I have universal zones for heart rate and pace.
Is there a reason for differentiating the zones?

I do plan to improve the bottom line configuration and to integrate it better into the screen configuration. However I wanted to get the zones strip in for the introduction of watchOS 9 because I knew that people would want it after seeing it in the native app. So I had a finite amount of time and decided to use that adding pace and power zones rather than improving the usability of the screen/bottom line configuration. I admit that I do tend to prioritise functionality over usability, which is probably a failing. Hopefully the app will have both eventually though.

The naming is different because I looked at several zone configuration apps and sites and the consensus seemed to be the names that I used, which were different for heart zones than for pace and power zones. Basically I copied what seemed the most popular names in each case.

 

[WalkRun]

I will take a look.

@cfc I tried today again by putting all the "time in pace zone 0/1/2/3/etc..." metrics in one screen in the watch. None of them work (the numbers that appear seem random). Are you able to reproduce this?