WorkOutDoors is the most advanced and most configurable workout app for the Apple Watch. It's perfect for running, cycling, hiking and any other indoor or outdoor activity.
Note: WorkOutDoors requires an Apple Watch Series 3 or later. It is not necessary to have your iPhone with you during a workout.
The app uses Apple’s workout system, so all workouts are saved to the Health system. However it also provides many extra features over Apple's app, such as:
- a super-smooth vector map that can be shown during a workout;
- multiple configurable screens with metrics and graphs from a pool of 800+ data fields;
- route files can be imported and used for navigation (including turn by turn directions);
- dozens of configurable alerts (e.g. every mile; high heart rate; low pace; off-route etc);
- interval schedules can be created using the larger screen of the phone app;
- climbs and descents are supported with notifications and on-screen data and graphs;
- waypoints can be created, navigated to, and exported;
- use shortcuts to associate operations with gestures (e.g. double tap to hear configurable metrics);
- compare pace against a target or a previous workout (using metrics and a dot on the map);
- show zones for pace and power as well as heart rate (with optional coloured backgrounds);
- auto-pause is available for all outdoor activities;
- shows GPS and heart rate before starting a workout, so that you can wait for good signals;
- configure distance and pace for running / walking to come from Apple’s pedometer or from GPS;
- workouts can be exported in FIT / TCX / GPX files, or automatically sent to Strava;
- workouts created by the app can be analysed in great depth in the iPhone app.
The app also has many more features. The map is a particular highlight. It uses OpenStreetMap, which provides worldwide coverage and includes the trails necessary for outdoor workouts. It also has several features that help you navigate during a workout:
- maps can be smoothly panned and zoomed, and can rotate according to the compass;
- a breadcrumb trail of your whole route is displayed on the map during the workout;
- topographic data can be shown, with configurable contour colours and hill shading;
- map-only mode is provided for when you don't want to start a workout and just need a map;
- a circular scale is shown when you zoom, making it easy to see the distance to features;
- maps can be stored on the watch for use when offline (they are downloaded as required if online);
- a red compass points north and a green compass points to the start;
- choose a waypoint to see a compass and distance to it in the corner of the map;
- you can also navigate to waypoints on the map, such as hospitals, sights, cafes etc.
If you load a route from a GPX / TCX / FIT file then navigation is even easier:
- your position is shown on an elevation profile of the route;
- the remaining distance, time and ascent can also be displayed;
- you can get alerted when you go off-route;
- when off-route then a compass is shown which points to the nearest part of the route;
- if the route contains turn by turn directions then these can be used like a sat nav;
- if there are no directions then the app can use “bend detection” to generate them;
- the next direction is shown as an icon and distance in the corner of the map;
- the map can automatically zoom in when you are approaching a turn;
- you can use shake gestures to hear the distance to the next turn or the end of the route;
- routes are coloured by gradient: from red for steep uphill to blue for steep downhill;
- you can configure what information is displayed during a climb or descent.
All this is included for a single one-off payment. No extra in-app purchases or subscriptions are required (although there is a completely optional in-app tip jar which was requested by long-term users).
If you own an Apple Watch and do any form of exercise, then WorkOutDoors is the app for you. Give it a go!
