WorkOutDoors

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 4 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!