I used the Apple Watch 7 for cycling, weight training and more — here’s how well it works

I used the Apple Lookout 7 for cycling, weight grooming and more — here'south how well it works

(Image credit: Future)

The Apple Watch 7 is the best smartwatch and the ultimate iPhone accessory, but with GPS and a middle rate monitor, amidst other wellness features, information technology's also a fitness tracker. So how does information technology stack up against the best fettle trackers on the marketplace?

Though many of the best Apple Watch apps tin can take your action tracking to the next level, Apple tree'south native workout app supports dozens of movement types, equally my dad found out when he tried the Apple Spotter. You can run, cycle, swim, dance, do HIIT, paddle board with the Apple Watch and more than. If you've upgraded to watchOS 8, your Apple Lookout can rails Tai Chi, too.

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As with most fettle wearables, the Apple Watch 7 tracks your time elapsed, calories burned, centre rate and distance traveled, when applicable. I put these metrics to the test in a week'due south worth of workouts wearing the latest Apple tree Lookout. From daily canis familiaris walks to weight preparation, and even an endeavor at automated outdoor cycling detection, the Apple Lookout 7 became my exercise buddy.

Hither are the key takeaways from my Apple Watch vii workout examination. My experiences could differ from working out with the Apple tree Watch SE or Apple Watch iii. We created a guide to help you find the best Apple Watch for yous, so exist certain to check it out if y'all're interested in buying one of Apple tree'south smartwatches.

Apple Picket 7: Outdoor Cycling

Apple Watch 7 workout test outdoor cycling automatic tracking — (Prototype credit: Futurity)

I started with cycling, since it's the workout type Apple tree beefed upward most this year. With wheel-specific autumn detection, auto-detect and auto-pause features, you could say watch OS viii is a game changer for cyclists. Luckily, I didn't have to apply the offset of those new tools — no cliffside rides like in Apple tree's Serial 7 announcement video for me.

Instead, I embarked on a leisurely outdoor ride on a crisp autumn afternoon. I didn't launch the workout from my wrist on purpose, hoping car-detection would discover I started cycling. Sure plenty, I received a buzz and a prompt request me if I wanted to record an outdoor wheel in nether 5 minutes and in less than one-half a mile traveled.

I likewise enabled auto-pause (it's not enabled automatically) recalling the discrepancies I dealt with during my Samsung Galaxy Picket 4 workout test. Hopping off my bicycle to take some pictures of a nearby bay botched my Apple Watch 6'southward recorded distance, which I tracked alongside the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 for comparison. Luckily, using auto-interruption while biking with the Apple Sentinel 7 resulted in a near-identical measurement to my bike's odometer.

Apple Watch vii: Weight grooming

Apple Watch 7 heart rate monitor — (Epitome credit: Future)

Dorsum in the gym, the Apple Watch offers traditional and functional force training workout options. I opted for functional, incorporating a variety of movements in my session. Yous can't rails individual exercises similar you lot can on the Galaxy Watch 4, though. I'1000 not the kind to practise 100 reps of the same move in a row, then I didn't miss niche selections like arm curls, bench press, lateral raises and pull-ups. Still, I imagine users would benefit from on-screen guidance for form and counting reps like y'all get on the Galaxy Picket 4 and some of the best Fitbit devices.

I alternated betwixt upper body, lower body and core exercises with dumbbells, all the while seeing my metrics on the Apple Lookout man 7's redesigned screen. The notable Apple Sentinel 7 vs. Apple Watch 6 differences are a twenty% larger display and 70% brighter e'er-on style, making information technology easier to see more exercise data at a glance. I appreciated being able to see my heart charge per unit trends in throughout my workout in large, legible text. Improve even so, the Apple Watch vii'due south heart rate readings matched those of my Polar OH1 strap.

Apple tree Watch 7: Walking

Apple Watch 7 walking workout — (Image credit: Future)

Between taking my canis familiaris to the park twice a day and opting to walk anywhere in New York City inside an hr abroad, most of my exercise experience with the Apple Sentry 7 came from walking. I used iOS 15 Apple Maps features to lead when I didn't know where I going, while the workout app buzzed me every mile with an update on my pace.

But when I walked my canis familiaris, my pace lagged. I wish the Apple Watch's motorcar-intermission choice extended to walking workouts (it just works for outdoor cycling and outdoor running) and then my canis familiaris'south need to say hi to every passerby and sniff every tree didn't outcome in a 30-minute mile average. I missed this Galaxy Watch 4 characteristic.

Apple tree Scout 7 as fitness tracker: The verdict

Workouts using GPS drain the Apple Watch seven battery life faster than workouts that don't, but even with regular hr-long walks, my smartwatch survived all day. Many of the all-time sport watches and best Garmin watches get meliorate bombardment life with GPS, of course.

For fettle enthusiasts, a fettle tracker with longer bombardment life or more dedicated workout functions might be preferred. Otherwise, the Apple tree Spotter 7 is an all-in-one smartwatch with ample exercise features.

Kate Kozuch is a senior writer at Tom's Guide covering wearables, TVs and everything smart-home related. When she'due south not in cyborg fashion, you tin find her on an do bicycle or channeling her inner glory chef. She and her robot army will rule the world one day, but until then, reach her at kate.kozuch@futurenet.com.