WWDC 2018: WatchOS 5 Unveills GymKit, Automatic Workout Detection, & New Activities
Work it out with Apple Watch, because it'll have your back.
During today's WWDC 2018 keynote, Apple introduced GymKit with watchOS 5, the company's platform for two-way sync between your Apple Watch and the cardio exercise equipment you use on a regular basis. The pairing and authentication process takes place over NFC, meaning you don't have to get into any complicated methodology to jump into the gym and get started on your workout. It just, as they say, works!
For some of the more popular workouts available on Apple Watch, such as something simple like running or using an exercise bike, the watch will automatically detect your activity and will send an alert to begin the correct workout with "retroactive" credit. It'll also give reminders to end workout sessions after a period of inactivity. Yoga and Hiking have been adding to the available workout types as well, which will track active calories and exercise minutes you earn while working out.
If you're a runner, there's a slew of new features in it for you, too. watchOS 5 featueres a new cadence metric for both indoor and outdoor runs and walks as well as a new pace alarm for outdoor runs that keeps you on your target pace. The new "rolling mile pace" metric is an additional option you can use to track the pace of the immediately preceding mile during your current workout as well.
Like macOS 12, watchOS 5 will be available this fall as a free update for Apple Watch Series 1 and later. It won't be available on the original Apple Watch, so you may have to end up getting a new watch if you're still chugging along with the old tech.
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replyBrittany Vincent posted a new article, WWDC 2018: WatchOS 5 Unveills GymKit, Automatic Workout Detection, & New Activities
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GymKit has been in watchOS since 4.1
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