Athletes of all levels have used the Apple Watch to track workouts for years, but it’s getting even more flexibility thanks to WatchOS 10. Platforms like TrainingPeaks can now contribute custom workouts to the Apple Watch Workout app, making it easier to train and monitor progress without requiring a separate app on your wrist.
I’ve been doing custom cycling workouts from TrainingPeaks on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for a week, coached by a three-time Olympic gold medalist. Although I’m far from a professional athlete, I can see how helpful this will be for anyone who wants to take their training to the next level. TrainingPeaks can send running and cycling workouts to the Apple Watch and is one of several apps that plug into Apple’s Workout app, along with TrainerRoad, Final Surge and RunMotion.
Apple continues to encroach on sports-focused watches like Garmin and Suunto by adding useful tools for athletes to the Apple Watch. WatchOS 9 introduced custom workouts in Apple’s Workout app and in-depth running metrics. Fitness Plus lets you build your own workout plans in iOS 17. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers features like dual-band GPS and longer battery life than any other Apple Watch.
Many athletes need in-depth recovery metrics to help prevent overtraining or show progress over time. The Apple Watch lags behind other sports watches on this front, but integrating with third-party apps like TrainingPeaks that have recovery insights helps bridge the gap.
How to send custom workouts to the Apple Watch
The process may differ depending on which third-party app you’re using, but for TrainingPeaks specifically, it’s pretty easy. First, open the iPhone app and select “Connect to Apple Watch” when prompted. Navigate to the “Apple Watch and Health” menu and select “Apple Watch Workout App.” Confirm you want to connect TrainingPeaks to the watch and allow notifications.
Now, you should see the option to send a single workout to the Apple Watch on-demand or sync seven days of…
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