Now with improved navigation capabilities including turn-by-turn navigation; waypoint creation; climb and descent detection; and much more.
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!
WorkOutDoors is hands down the best watch running app that I have used! I have run using Garmin for over a decade and really like Garmin. When I purchased my first iPhone I decided to also get an Apple watch. I loved the functionality of the watch, however was unimpressed with the built in Workout app. This led me on a search for a better app. I ended up testing TrainingPeaks, Strava, iSmoothRun, and WorkOutDoors. I didn't like the subscription models for TrainingPeaks or Strava. Multiple searches named iSmooth run as the best Apple running app and in the beginning it looked like it was going to meet my needs. However, as I used the app and started analyzing the data I realized laps were being displayed incorrectly in Apple health and the cadence it reported was simply wrong. I reached out to the developer who never responded. And then ... I found WorkOutDoors. I have never had so much power on my wrist. You can have 4+ screens, you can have 18+ metrics on each screen, the list of metrics you can choose from is in the 100's, you can easily build workouts, you can get alerted (voice and watch) if you are outside a defined zone (like heart rate or pace), you can get key metric alerts (voice and watch) by time and/or distance, you can download maps and routes to your watch and get alerted if you are off your route, you can reviewed detailed information about each run, etc.
Powerlifter and Occasional Runner
Dylanw890
This is an exceptional app, especially on the iWatch Ultra! The amount of information that you are able to see while participating in whatever activity you are passionate about is truly invaluable, and it gave me an insight into data that I never really thought about. I will admit, for those who are not experienced with interpreting this type of data can be intimidated and overwhelmed, but that’s what is so fascinating about this app because it actually encouraged me to do more research and learn about what this data means so I am more informed as an athlete while allowing me lead more efficient workouts. That said, the screens are endlessly customizable so the information that you can see is always at visible in a clear and easy to read layout!I will add that if the developers are reading this I would like a more features that test my v02 max, analyze my recovery periods, and sleep while providing that in maybe a morning notification so I can see how my training is going and where I need to improve. I am not an ultra athlete so I don’t need something like a Garmin, but I did like a lot of those forward looking metrics that provide me with some predictive analysis as opposed having to input that information onto a another app to synthesize that information. Overall, this is a very good app and in love with the functionality.
Delete all your other running apps
dmanFC18
Where has this been all my life? I was a diehard paying Runkeeper user for 10+ years but watched it steadily stagnate over the past few years (don't even get me started on their buggy Apple Watch app). I tried Strava five different times over the course of several years but kept getting annoyed by the appallingly limited utility it offers serious runners and how insipidly dumb the whole social self-promotion component of it was. Tried the default Apple Watch Activities app, which to its credit, at least worked consistently and wasn't as bug riddled as the other running apps, but kept bumping into customization limitations, especially with the layout of the Watch app screens. Tried Nike Run Club twice and was instantly turned off by the social aspect and the dumb inspirational coaching. Finally found this app through some Reddit and Quora discussions and decided to give it a try. WOW! I'm only about a month into using it, but I'm still blown away by all the customization capabilities. This is clearly an app developed by serious runners for runners, not by the marketing department of a lifestyle brand. I've only begun to scratch the surface of what this app does, and to be fair, it's daunting, but I'll be darned if it isn't exactly what I've been looking for all these years but didn't even know it.
Amazing!!!!!! Must Have!
Big.Al.1
This app is the REAL DEAL! It is worth every penny and then some! I am an average workout person, but all the other apps do not have enough controllable data. Also, this app announces any run metrics I want. You can choose any metrics (including graphs) you want to see on the screen from as little as 2 metrics to over 10!! The customization doesn’t end with the screen or announced metrics, you can even create your own custom intervals into whatever workout you like. Make no mistake, this app does anything you want and can be for basic users to advanced users. I would say there is some customizing you will want to do, but it can just be a “download and use” app too. I don’t just use this for running, I also use it for HIIT training, strength training and interval training. This app does it all! Forget all the other apps. All of your info exports to Apple Health accurately and you can even export the files from the app to upload into other apps manually. Before I purchased it, I messaged the developer and he responded right away and answered my questions! They are really cool and want to make sure you are getting the help you need when you have questions. I could go on, but just get the app and you’ll see for yourself!
A few tweaks for iOS 26 and the new Ultra 3, series 11 and SE 3 watches.
Plus the usual minor improvements and bug fixes
Version 6.2
The developer, CCS Ltd, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
Seller
Ian Muriss
Size
48.1 MB
Category
Health & Fitness
Compatibility
Requires iOS 12.0 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 12.0 or later.
iPod touch Requires iOS 12.0 or later.
Apple Watch Requires watchOS 8.0 or later.
Location
This app may use your location even when it isn’t open, which can decrease device battery life.