Starting with watchOS 11, you can use custom swimming workouts on an Apple Watch. This allows you to set your training plan with effort and recovery phases. The tactile signal tells you when it is time for the next interval.
Custom workouts aren’t new and have been available for running and cycling since watchOS 10. Apple has expanded the feature to swimming, so you can add your perfect workout plan and train for a triathlon, for example.
Custom workouts for swimming
It has been possible for some time to swim with an Apple Watch and measure your performance using the workout app. These are standard workouts based on distance, time, calorie burn or open. Starting with watchOS 11, you can add a custom schedule for the Pool workout, so you can follow a training plan.
Set up a pool custom workout
- Open the Apple Watch Workout app (watchOS 11 or newer)
- Go to ‘Pool’ and tap the three dots
- Scroll down to ‘Create workout’
- Choose ‘Custom’
- Tap ‘Add’
- Enter your training schedule
- Scroll down and tap Create Workout
For example, you can indicate how many meters you want to swim in a certain time. While swimming laps, the Apple Watch will automatically show the time remaining until the next interval when you touch the wall. This way you know whether you are still on schedule or need to step up your game.
Unfortunately, you can only add the modified workouts to the Swimming Pool workout, for open water swimming you still have to rely on the basic workouts such as distance, time, open, etc.
Water temperature
Do you own an Apple Watch series 10, Apple Watch Ultra or newer? From now on you will see the water temperature during swimming and water activities. During the workout you can monitor the temperature of the water thanks to a sensor in the Apple Watch.
Check out what’s coming next
If you have created a custom workout, you can now also see how long the current interval lasts and what comes next. This way you know whether you are on schedule and what you can expect before your goals are achieved.
Add pool workout
Don’t see the pool workout? You can then add this from the Workout application by choosing ‘Add workout’ at the bottom of the list of sports.