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 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!
Fully customizable, I love it because you can set up intervals and trails (you must upload the file from another site, but it’s easy). You can also upload the run to Strava if you need to. Simple design, good statistics, easy to use, well worth the price!
Review from a casual runner
RandomNickName276
I switched to this app because like many others, watch OS26 broke the audio cues on the native workout app of my Apple Watch SE gen2 (they don't work anymore if the watch is not connected to the Internet, which kind of defeats the point of running without the phone). So I tried this app because the alternative would be to either buy a different Apple watch with cellular support so I have internet or to switch to Garmin.This app has a very abrupt learning curve, I'd say it's geared more to the hardcore users. I struggled to figure out how to set the main screen of the running activity to just display some simple stats instead of having it being clogged up with the map view which I personally don't need. Then on my first two test runs I noticed the audio cues delivered through earphones are bugged on this app as well. The first two cues of the run, the audio is either delayed or missing (for example i was getting the 1km audio cue when I reached the 1.8km mark - so way off). After reaching the third cue the functionality recovers eventually. So the issue seems to be appearing at the beginning of an activity, then after a few missed audio cues it's all ok. But still, it's a major issue. I haven't tested intervals yet, but I suspect it might happen there as well. And starting an interval session with broken cues is again kind of a moot point.I will give it 3/5 because of the difficulty to use for a casual user and because of the major bug in one of the core functionalities of the app - audio cues through earphones.
Best customizable activity app out there
Detch123
I recommend the app to all of you looking for a customizable (no panache) type app that connects directly to Strava and to the innate apple activity app. The support is great and very prompt. The app has multiple stats and screen option. Definitely worth the money!!!
Data driven sport app
gilies31
Best data driven aport app for Apple Watch. Build perfectly for Ultra. Very configurable and a lot of data at your wrist. Excellent sport app. Pro: Very configurableAutoapload to Strava Possibility to extract workouts and upload in Garmin ConnectAs downside sometimes it has errors. Ex: auto-start/stop is not always working. Some functionalities from the menu are not saved and sent to Watch. Overall it’s a great app for Apple Watch and worth it’s money.
This is a bug fix version which addresses a few issues in the last version. Most notably the inability to set up a connection with Strava is now fixed.
If you are having problems with the action button on the Ultra then please reboot the watch because that often fixes any issues with it.
Note: this version requires watchOS 9.2, which means that it will no longer run on the old series 3 watches which were released back in 2017. Sorry about that. It was a necessary restriction in order to work around an issue in recent versions of watchOS.
Version 6.4
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 Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Health & Fitness
Location
Privacy practices may vary based, for example, 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
Size
40.6 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 9.2 or later.
Location
This app may use your location even when it is not open, which can decrease device battery life.
