Apps WorkOutDoors: New workout features

[cfc]

I for one would happily subscribe for those additional features. As an ageing technophobe, I think the app is reasonably intuitive to use and I very much appreciate the flexibility it gives me.

I don't know if a waypoint alert would fall into the subscription bracket, but it would be a real bonus to have that alongside the off route alert that already exists - especially for someone who does a lot of night running...

Thanks for the great work you doing.

Waypoint alerts are definitely on my list of features to add. I will probably add them when I upgrade the route functionality to allow features such as waypoint creation and turn-by-turn navigation.

I expect that the waypoint alerts and creation will be included in the standard app, whereas the turn-by-turn navigation will be part of a subscription because it will probably require the app to use a paid service to create directions from a route.

Thanks for your kind words about the app!

 

[iDron]

Is there a way to change the order of the Workout categories on the start screen of the Watch App btw.?

 

[cfc]

Is there a way to change the order of the Workout categories on the start screen of the Watch App btw.?

The categories are ordered by last used time, so the most recently used activity is at the top, then the previous one etc.

There is no way to specifically order them but you can control which activities appear on the main screen and which appear in the Other Activities screen. To do this tap on Other Activities (at the bottom of the main menu) and then Activities Menus (at the bottom of that screen).

 

[proudtobeasalad]

Thanks for your reply.

You can configure the app to show the Now Playing screen in response to whatever gesture you wish. To do this press the watch screen hard and tap Settings then Commands then Shortcuts. Then pick a gesture (e.g. left swipe) and associate it with the Now Playing command. That will mean that left swiping the screen will cause the now playing screen to appear.

Yep, but still it's not so convenient to use. I can configure a left swipe for music control, but it means that I can't use a left swipe to switch between screens anymore. I think (may be we can vote) that a "custom screen" is a better option (hey, music is really important) in terms of customization.

Btw, do you plan to rework/extend the default workout graphs? They are good/functional, but not tasty at all :c

 

[Significant1]

Thanks for your reply.



Yep, but still it's not so convenient to use. I can configure a left swipe for music control, but it means that I can't use a left swipe to switch between screens anymore. I think (may be we can vote) that a "custom screen" is a better option (hey, music is really important) in terms of customization.

Btw, do you plan to rework/extend the default workout graphs? They are good/functional, but not tasty at all :c

What I do, is to start the music app I want to use and then start workoutdoors. During the workout I toggle between by double tapping the crown. Mostly I control it on the headset though.

 

[cfc]

Thanks for your reply.



Yep, but still it's not so convenient to use. I can configure a left swipe for music control, but it means that I can't use a left swipe to switch between screens anymore. I think (may be we can vote) that a "custom screen" is a better option (hey, music is really important) in terms of customization.

Btw, do you plan to rework/extend the default workout graphs? They are good/functional, but not tasty at all :c

Unfortunately the Now Playing screen is very restrictive for developers. Apple only allow us to display it full screen and after that it is under the control of watchOS until the user closes it. This means that I can't make it so that you could swipe again to get to the next or previous screen, which means that it cannot be a custom screen. WatchOS is very limited for developers when compared to iOS (although not as limited as some developers claim!).

In my set up I have made Now Playing one of the buttons that appear when you press the screen hard, instead of the Info button. However I don't use it very often so I do not mind pressing hard and then tapping once to get it. If you use it more often then you may want to make it a double tap or pressing both side buttons at once.

I have slightly improved the look of the graphs in the watch app in the next version, but only by using a gradient under the line instead of a solid colour.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I am doing a lot of Low Heart Rate Training and have the app set to alert me when I exceed X heart rate. It works well except the haptic feedback is very, very weak, compared to Apple’s prominent haptic setting, which is very noticeable. I didn’t see any haptic strength adjustment in the app. When I a, running a lot of times, I can’t hear the alert much less feel the haptic feedback on my wrist. Is there any way to increase he haptic alert?

 

[cfc]

I am doing a lot of Low Heart Rate Training and have the app set to alert me when I exceed X heart rate. It works well except the haptic feedback is very, very weak, compared to Apple’s prominent haptic setting, which is very noticeable. I didn’t see any haptic strength adjustment in the app. When I a, running a lot of times, I can’t hear the alert much less feel the haptic feedback on my wrist. Is there any way to increase he haptic alert?

Unfortunately Apple do not allow apps to control the haptic strength. WatchOS just allows apps to say "play haptic" and specify a type of haptic, but not a strength. In theory all haptics should use the strength setting in the Settings app, so it should use the prominent setting if specified. Maybe Apple allow their apps a stronger setting? I tend to find that the haptic strength varies between watches but haven't noticed that it varies between apps.

You may find that using a spoken alert on a low volume helps. And in the future I may allow the user to control which type of haptic is played for each alert. At the moment it uses the "Up" haptic for limit breaches, which according to Apple "Indicates an increase in a specific value or when a value has gone above a certain threshold." However most of the other alerts use a different "Notification" haptic type, which may be more prominent.

One feature in the next version which may help is the ability to repeat alerts whilst a limit is breached, instead of just alerting you once. You will be able to specify the number of alerts whilst breached (including infinite) and the frequency of the alerts. So for example you will be able to set it such that you are alerted every 10 seconds whilst your heart rate is too high.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Unfortunately Apple do not allow apps to control the haptic strength. WatchOS just allows apps to say "play haptic" and specify a type of haptic, but not a strength. In theory all haptics should use the strength setting in the Settings app, so it should use the prominent setting if specified. Maybe Apple allow their apps a stronger setting? I tend to find that the haptic strength varies between watches but haven't noticed that it varies between apps.

You may find that using a spoken alert on a low volume helps. And in the future I may allow the user to control which type of haptic is played for each alert. At the moment it uses the "Up" haptic for limit breaches, which according to Apple "Indicates an increase in a specific value or when a value has gone above a certain threshold." However most of the other alerts use a different "Notification" haptic type, which may be more prominent.

One feature in the next version which may help is the ability to repeat alerts whilst a limit is breached, instead of just alerting you once. You will be able to specify the number of alerts whilst breached (including infinite) and the frequency of the alerts. So for example you will be able to set it such that you are alerted every 10 seconds whilst your heart rate is too high.

Thanks for the reply and for providing excellent customer service. I like the idea of multiple alerts. Hopefully, that will work well for me.

 

[iDron]

So I've been using WorkOutDoors for about 2 weeks now, for runs and hikes and I love it more every time I use it. There are so many functions which I didn't even touch yet but yesterday I tried the Schedules function for the first time. Very impressed by how smooth it works, almost like your personal coach, especially useful now in those Corona times.

I exported to Runalyze via HealthFit and actually all the intervals from the schedule got transferred, I'm very happy about that!

Keep up the good work! I feel u could charge more for this product...

 

[proudtobeasalad]

Found a bug on iPhone app. Go to Schedule --> Edit interval_name --> Speak Metric --> Scroll right column down to the end --> Tap Cancel --> app crash.

iOS 13.3.1

 

[cfc]

Found a bug on iPhone app. Go to Schedule --> Edit interval_name --> Speak Metric --> Scroll down right column to the end --> Tap Cancel --> app crash.

Thanks. I will take a look.

 

[iDron]

Is there a way to make repetition loops of several intervals? I manually did it as in the attached photo, but it's a bit tedious... Or at least to copy/duplicate a set of loops within one schedule? I only see the option to copy the entire schedule in the list of schedules but not to do that within one selected schedule.

 

[cfc]

Is there a way to make repetition loops of several intervals? I manually did it as in the attached photo, but it's a bit tedious... Or at least to copy/duplicate a set of loops within one schedule? I only see the option to copy the entire schedule in the list of schedules but not to do that within one selected schedule.
View attachment 903486 View attachment 903486

Yes, there are two ways. The first is to choose the Repeating Intervals template when you create a schedule. By default it includes a loop of a Fast interval then a Recover interval repeated 10 times, but you can edit what is repeated as required.

Alternatively if you already have an schedule (as is the case for you) then you can add a repeated set of intervals by using the button at the bottom right. This also defaults to adding the fast/recover repeat but can also be edited. So you would press Edit and then drag the intervals you already have into the loop and then delete the default ones. And then delete all your unnecessary repeated intervals.

I hope that helps.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Would it be possible to implement a way for a user to enter a short post workout summary? It would be beneficial in keeping more detailed personal training log, in my opinion.

 

[cfc]

Would it be possible to implement a way for a user to enter a short post workout summary? It would be beneficial in keeping more detailed personal training log, in my opinion.

That is on my list of features to add at some time in the future.

 

[Apple_Robert]

That is on my list of features to add at some time in the future.

Thanks for the reply.

When Strava offers you new routes to Explore ( based on your current activity routes) that you can then save under your Profile, is there any way to add a map of one of those new unused activity routes to the watch, so that you can you see a visual of a route you haven't used before and be able to find your way back to where you started? When I tried to share a new used route via email to myself, it sent a Strava link instead of a GX file that could be manually imported, unless I missed something or did something wrong.

 

[cfc]

Thanks for the reply.

When Strava offers you new routes to Explore ( based on your current activity routes) that you can then save under your Profile, is there any way to add a map of one of those new unused activity routes to the watch, so that you can you see a visual of a route you haven't used before and be able to find your way back to where you started? When I tried to share a new used route via email to myself, it sent a Strava link instead of a GX file that could be manually imported, unless I missed something or did something wrong.

I would be interested to know this too. I have heard of Strava’s new routing feature but not yet tried it. Does anyone know if it allows you to export a GPX route, which could be displayed in WorkOutDoors, or if the routes it generates are only for use with Strava’s app?

 

[iDron]

Alternatively if you already have an schedule (as is the case for you) then you can add a repeated set of intervals by using the button at the bottom right. This also defaults to adding the fast/recover repeat but can also be edited. So you would press Edit and then drag the intervals you already have into the loop and then delete the default ones. And then delete all your unnecessary repeated intervals.

Oh great! I didn't realize you could drag all kinds of intervals into a loop. Nice feature!

 

[iDron]

Having an issue with duration and paces while exporting to different platforms:
I did an 6.03km intervall run tonight, according to workoutdoors taking 33:33 time.

The splits on Workoutdoors are: (total 33:33)
6'10, 4'46, 4'43, 8'11, 4'53, 4'40,5'58

In the Apple Activity app it shows as:
6'05, 4'49, 4'45, 8'12, 4'51, 4'43, 7'00

The direct export to Strava from Workoutdoors yields an almost 1min shorter duration (32:36) with:
6'03, 4'45, 4'45, 7'31, 4'51, 4'32

Exported to HealthFit, it however shows as (duration 33:33 again)
6'06, 4'46, 4'43, 8'13, 4'50, 4'42, 8'55

From HealthFit to Runalyze (this is not Workoutdoors fault anymore I guess) the splits show as
6'11, 4'56, 5'13, 7'16, 4'59, 4'47, 8'46

The distances are the same on all platform. How can this happen that the paces/splits vary that much? I get that there might be rounding differences, that lead to one or the other show as 1 or 2 seconds slower. But how is it that the transfer from WorkOutDoors to Apple Activity already cuts off 5 seconds in the first km, and then it evens out over there remainder.

While this would still be acceptable, the direct export to Strava has the recovery interval in the middle cut by 40seconds, which is quite a lot of difference over 1km... And an almost 1min variation in the total duration as well.

I did an interval training with the target to hit 4:50 on 2x 2km. The exports by HealthFit to runalyze would only show me hitting my target on 1km over the 4km, while all other platforms would have me hitting my target 3km out of 4km. From an analysis point of view, this is kind of rubbish then (here clearly healthfit/runalyze error).

 

[cfc]

Having an issue with duration and paces while exporting to different platforms:
I did an 6.03km intervall run tonight, according to workoutdoors taking 33:33 time.

The splits on Workoutdoors are: (total 33:33)
6'10, 4'46, 4'43, 8'11, 4'53, 4'40,5'58

In the Apple Activity app it shows as:
6'05, 4'49, 4'45, 8'12, 4'51, 4'43, 7'00

The direct export to Strava from Workoutdoors yields an almost 1min shorter duration (32:36) with:
6'03, 4'45, 4'45, 7'31, 4'51, 4'32

Exported to HealthFit, it however shows as (duration 33:33 again)
6'06, 4'46, 4'43, 8'13, 4'50, 4'42, 8'55

From HealthFit to Runalyze (this is not Workoutdoors fault anymore I guess) the splits show as
6'11, 4'56, 5'13, 7'16, 4'59, 4'47, 8'46

The distances are the same on all platform. How can this happen that the paces/splits vary that much? I get that there might be rounding differences, that lead to one or the other show as 1 or 2 seconds slower. But how is it that the transfer from WorkOutDoors to Apple Activity already cuts off 5 seconds in the first km, and then it evens out over there remainder.

While this would still be acceptable, the direct export to Strava has the recovery interval in the middle cut by 40seconds, which is quite a lot of difference over 1km... And an almost 1min variation in the total duration as well.

I did an interval training with the target to hit 4:50 on 2x 2km. The exports by HealthFit to runalyze would only show me hitting my target on 1km over the 4km, while all other platforms would have me hitting my target 3km out of 4km. From an analysis point of view, this is kind of rubbish then (here clearly healthfit/runalyze error).

I would need to look at the data to see exactly why there are inconsistencies but I can take a few guesses.

The inconsistency between Strava and everything else is probably because Strava is showing the moving time rather than the elapsed time. Strava usually display the moving time by default and use their own algorithm to calculate it. This is probably why the time looks shorter on Strava than elsewhere. If you change the run type to "Race" then they seem to use the elapsed time instead. This behaviour annoys a lot of people: https://support.strava.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360042568132-Total-time-not-moving-time

Apple Health does not allow the app to store splits with the workout so the Activity app calculates them itself from the distances and times. I assume that HealthFit does the same. The distance samples are only supplied every few seconds so this involves some interpolation, which probably explains why the splits are slightly different between WorkOutDoors, Activity and HealthFit. The only odd one is the last split, which does need explaining.

Also, did you have auto-pause on? That can add another variable to the equation.

Sorry about all this, but different platforms use different ways of calculating things. Sometimes they use elapsed time and sometimes they calculate their own moving time based on their own algorithm. Sometimes they use the distances sent to them, whereas sometimes they calculate the distances themselves from the GPS trail. As the WorkOutDoors distances are from Apple's calibrated distances then this can mean different estimates depending on the accuracy of the GPS and of the calibration.

If you send me the wkt for the workout then I will take a look in more detail. To do this tap the Export button 3 times quickly and send the file to info@workoutdoors.net.

 

[iDron]

Thanks! Good to know that Activity calculates its own splits, and as I was accelerating/decelerating at the begin/end of the interval, a 10m variety in lap markers could of course mean a few seconds difference.

I've sent you the wkt File. Thanks for your help!

 

[NickYanakiev]

Awesome app! Any plans to introduce Stryd support?

 

[cfc]

Awesome app! Any plans to introduce Stryd support?

It is on my list of features to add. I have the footpod and engaged with their developers a while ago, who were very helpful, so it will happen at some point.

To be honest it is low priority at the moment because there is a chance that Apple will add native support for it in the next version of watchOS, which will be announced in early June. They currently only support external heart rate sensors but that has got to change at some point. So I don't want to spend time writing code to specifically connect to Stryd now if there is a chance that Apple will soon do it for me. Especially as they would allow connections to many different types and brands of sensor.

If they do not add support for it then I will probably add it myself. However there would be some restrictions in terms of exporting the power information via Apple's Health system because that does not currently allow power data to be stored (let alone all the other Stryd metrics such as ground time etc). You would still be able to analyse that information in the WorkOutDoors app though.

Glad you like the app!

 

[NickYanakiev]

It is on my list of features to add. I have the footpod and engaged with their developers a while ago, who were very helpful, so it will happen at some point.

To be honest it is low priority at the moment because there is a chance that Apple will add native support for it in the next version of watchOS, which will be announced in early June. They currently only support external heart rate sensors but that has got to change at some point. So I don't want to spend time writing code to specifically connect to Stryd now if there is a chance that Apple will soon do it for me. Especially as they would allow connections to many different types and brands of sensor.

If they do not add support for it then I will probably add it myself. However there would be some restrictions in terms of exporting the power information via Apple's Health system because that does not currently allow power data to be stored (let alone all the other Stryd metrics such as ground time etc). You would still be able to analyse that information in the WorkOutDoors app though.

Glad you like the app!

Thank you for the detailed response. Native power support would be pretty awesome.

I mostly run with my Fenix 6X Pro Solar but (save for battery life and some useful Connect IQ apps) a cellular Apple Watch certainly has a lot to offer.

Keep up the great work!