Apps WorkOutDoors: New workout features

[cfc]

It’s for this reason I use subscribe to Strava premium (booo) so I have access to heat maps when route planning in areas I don’t know. Import into WOD and good to go. If turn by turn worked on the exported Strava routes that would be a godsend.

Unfortunately I don't think that routes exported from Strava contain navigation directions (or at least didn't have them when I last looked a while ago).

This is my worry about the app not adding turn by turn directions to a route: most sources of routes do not include them. Over time I will maintain a list of recommended route generation systems which do include them and which the app supports. And in the future I will probably use map matching to generate directions.

 

[cichykot]

Ian,
at first I thought that the double tap function only works during unstructured training, but I noticed something strange today.
If I start the training while sitting in a chair, it works without any issues.
However, today it didn't work while I was running; nonetheless, when I stood still for a moment, it worked.
I tried a few times (when I run, it doesn't work; when I stop without pausing, it works).
It seems like the movement of my hand disrupts the whole process.
Quite an interesting matter.

 

[cfc]

Ian,
at first I thought that the double tap function only works during unstructured training, but I noticed something strange today.
If I start the training while sitting in a chair, it works without any issues.
However, today it didn't work while I was running; nonetheless, when I stood still for a moment, it worked.
I tried a few times (when I run, it doesn't work; when I stop without pausing, it works).
It seems like the movement of my hand disrupts the whole process.
Quite an interesting matter.

Yes, Apple admit that double tap doesn't work when running. It's one of the reasons I am in no hurry to release the beta that supports it, because that restriction does make double tap far less useful for workout apps than it would otherwise be.

 

[cichykot]

No worries mate, it’s not yours fault.
I have been using Apple since 2006, and it still completely surprises me with its absolutely illogical behavior. I can start a workout in WoD and double tap, and it works when I'm not moving, but it doesn't work during movement.
I don't understand this at all.
I have to stop for a moment to change screens by double tapping 🤣🤣

 

[cfc]

No worries mate, it’s not yours fault.
I have been using Apple since 2006, and it still completely surprises me with its absolutely illogical behavior. I can start a workout in WoD and double tap, and it works when I'm not moving, but it doesn't work during movement.
I don't understand this at all.
I have to stop for a moment to change screens by double tapping 🤣🤣

I assume that it is more difficult to detect a double tap when there is lots of other motion going on. It wouldn't surprise me if Apple deliberated over whether this was a deal-breaker for double tap but decided that 90% of the time people wouldn't be running and so it was worth adding.

Hopefully in the future their clever engineers can figure out how to detect it when the watch is moving about.

 

[estesbubba]

Yes, Apple admit that double tap doesn't work when running. It's one of the reasons I am in no hurry to release the beta that supports it, because that restriction does make double tap far less useful for workout apps than it would otherwise be.

Double tap does work while cycling, maybe because of less arm movement.

 

[FMUK]

So I will start with a version that only shows turn by turn directions generated by other apps and then see how that goes. I will inevitably get complaints but will be able to blame the system that generated the route file. I should also get a good idea of what systems generate the best turn-by-turn navigation.

I can then recommend these systems to users and also see how they generate the directions and maybe use the same service if possible. Although, as I mentioned before, the use of such a paid service may require an additional payment or even a cheap subscription.

And hopefully you'll support Course Points manually inserted, such as shown in the FitFileViewer view of a route I just created?! 🤞 >>

And ideally even utilise the "type" for an icon display, along with the "name" for some kind of text pop-up for the "next course point"... 🤞🤞🤞

There's a look-up table here which gives the type in the Fit file ("Fit name") and cross-references it between the icons Plotaroute ("Plotaroute") directions can be defined as displaying, along with the equivalent icon style shown on a Garmin ("Watch Up Ahead" and "Watch Map Field").

 

[chris432626]

Hi, is there a way to do a complete reset of the app? Since moving to a new phone, I’ve experienced some minor issues such as the map not appearing in the post workout review. I’ve tried removing the app from new phone and watch. Is there something else to do or a specific order?
Thanks.

 

[cfc]

And hopefully you'll support Course Points manually inserted, such as shown in the FitFileViewer view of a route I just created?! 🤞 >>

View attachment 2483163




And ideally even utilise the "type" for an icon display, along with the "name" for some kind of text pop-up for the "next course point"... 🤞🤞🤞

There's a look-up table here which gives the type in the Fit file ("Fit name") and cross-references it between the icons Plotaroute ("Plotaroute") directions can be defined as displaying, along with the equivalent icon style shown on a Garmin ("Watch Up Ahead" and "Watch Map Field").



View attachment 2483164

Yup.

 

[cfc]

Hi, is there a way to do a complete reset of the app? Since moving to a new phone, I’ve experienced some minor issues such as the map not appearing in the post workout review. I’ve tried removing the app from new phone and watch. Is there something else to do or a specific order?
Thanks.

If the map is not appearing then you probably haven't given the app permission to see the location. To fix this go to Apple's Settings app and tap Privacy then Location Services. Make sure that WorkOutDoors is set to Whilst Using.

If it is enabled then you may be experiencing a rare bug with iOS/watchOS where the watch seems to lose the permission. To fix this switch the permission off, then reboot both the iPhone and the watch, and then switch it on again. This procedure nudges iOS into sending the permission to the watch again.

Hopefully that will fix it for future workouts.

 

[chris432626]

If the map is not appearing then you probably haven't given the app permission to see the location. To fix this go to Apple's Settings app and tap Privacy then Location Services. Make sure that WorkOutDoors is set to Whilst Using.

If it is enabled then you may be experiencing a rare bug with iOS/watchOS where the watch seems to lose the permission. To fix this switch the permission off, then reboot both the iPhone and the watch, and then switch it on again. This procedure nudges iOS into sending the permission to the watch again.

Hopefully that will fix it for future workouts.

Will give that a try, thanks.

 

[Bacasable]

Hi, I kept my watch ultra in 10.5 watchOS.

Do you upgraded the app with news features ?

 

[cfc]

Hi, I kept my watch ultra in 10.5 watchOS.

Do you upgraded the app with news features ?

The app still works fine in watchOS 10 (and any watchOS since version 8).

 

[jimmyjoy]

Hi, I'm on the latest beta and have been having an issue with exports to Strava recently. When I export the run, the duration is often reduced and Strava thinks I have set a world record. It seems like the total distance is correct but the duration from miles 3+ are missing from the upload. Sometimes exporting it again works and other times I have had to resend the workout from the watch to the app and try again. This has happened on my last 4 workouts. Is this a known bug?

Congrats on getting the device to show on Stava though. I like that.

 

[cfc]

Hi, I'm on the latest beta and have been having an issue with exports to Strava recently. When I export the run, the duration is often reduced and Strava thinks I have set a world record. It seems like the total distance is correct but the duration from miles 3+ are missing from the upload. Sometimes exporting it again works and other times I have had to resend the workout from the watch to the app and try again. This has happened on my last 4 workouts. Is this a known bug?

Congrats on getting the device to show on Stava though. I like that.

I have never heard of anything like that, especially it sometimes working and sometimes not working for the same workout.

Please send the wkt file to info@workoutdoors.net. To do this tap the Export button 3 times quickly.

 

[Mac-lover3]

I have just started using your app. Very happy with the functionality and all options. In the Fitness app however I cannot see splits. Is that normal? In addition, it seems the Awards do not get updated (Longest Running Workout, 10km badge specifically) is that also normal?

 

[cfc]

I have just started using your app. Very happy with the functionality and all options. In the Fitness app however I cannot see splits. Is that normal? In addition, it seems the Awards do not get updated (Longest Running Workout, 10km badge specifically) is that also normal?

There was a change/bug that appeared several years ago in iOS 14 which prevents splits from being calculated by the Fitness app for workouts created by third party workout apps, as mentioned here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251809580

Splits are not specifically sent to Apple's health system because the Fitness app calculates them itself from the workout data. But for some reason it does not do that any more.

Note that you can see splits in a lot more detail in the WorkOutDoors iPhone app by changing the button marked "Map" to say "Laps" or "Laps & Map".

 

[cfc]

I have just started using your app. Very happy with the functionality and all options. In the Fitness app however I cannot see splits. Is that normal? In addition, it seems the Awards do not get updated (Longest Running Workout, 10km badge specifically) is that also normal?

The awards are calculated by iOS/watchOS. As long as you can see the workouts in Apple's Health system then the app has done its job. Most awards will work properly with third party apps but some require Apple’s native app to be used.

The list of awards that require Apple’s app seems to change over time. My guess is that this is to satisfy insurance companies which provide the watch for free to customers who meet certain exercise criteria, and those insurance companies only trust Apple’s app. That is a complete guess though.

 

[Bacasable]

Hello @cfc

Does it possible to extract all data from WOD to excel ?

 

[cfc]

Hello @cfc

Does it possible to extract all data from WOD to excel ?

Not from the WOD app but it may be possible to find an app that reads workout data from Apple's Health system and exports it in a format that is either readable by Excel, or can be converted into a format readable by Excel.

However I don't know if such an app exists.

 

[Bacasable]

Not from the WOD app but it may be possible to find an app that reads workout data from Apple's Health system and exports it in a format that is either readable by Excel, or can be converted into a format readable by Excel.

However I don't know if such an app exists.

OK, in my mind it could be cool to exports data and make graphs on excel (pace vs distance)

 

[cfc]

OK, in my mind it could be cool to exports data and make graphs on excel (pace vs distance)

It's been requested a few times over the years but is unlikely because other features are much higher priority. Sorry.

 

[BenGoren]

It's been requested a few times over the years but is unlikely because other features are much higher priority. Sorry.

One of the things that generative AI is surprisingly good at these days is structured and quasi-structured data extraction and transformation. Basically, if you can get your hands on a non-encrypted set of data, AI can either directly convert it to whatever format you want, or whip up a utility that’ll reliably repeat the process for you.

Ian, I don’t know if WOD offers any data export at all. If it does, it’s enough to point people to AI to take it from there.

And, if WOD doesn’t … same basic story. If somebody can suggest a not-miserable way to get the data out of Apple Health (and, as I recall, it’s got such built in), then the rest is near-trivial.

I’d suggest that, if you’re comfortable enough with computers to create reports in Excel, you have more than enough technical skill to use AI to transform the data you want to report on.

b&

 

[FMUK]

Hello @cfc

Does it possible to extract all data from WOD to excel ?

Or just export to FIT and convert that to CSV.

 

[cfc]

Or just export to FIT and convert that to CSV.

One of the things that generative AI is surprisingly good at these days is structured and quasi-structured data extraction and transformation. Basically, if you can get your hands on a non-encrypted set of data, AI can either directly convert it to whatever format you want, or whip up a utility that’ll reliably repeat the process for you.

Ian, I don’t know if WOD offers any data export at all. If it does, it’s enough to point people to AI to take it from there.

And, if WOD doesn’t … same basic story. If somebody can suggest a not-miserable way to get the data out of Apple Health (and, as I recall, it’s got such built in), then the rest is near-trivial.

I’d suggest that, if you’re comfortable enough with computers to create reports in Excel, you have more than enough technical skill to use AI to transform the data you want to report on.

b&

You could use HealthFit to export FIT files in bulk from Apple's Health system. Then as @FMUK says they can be converted into CSV by various online tools. And then as @BenGoren says generative AI could provide a good way to extract what you need from those CSV files. Maybe it can even work with FIT files but that may be optimistic.