The Apple Watch changed running. Here’s how the company did it

He adds, “When you focus on the runner, it turns out that many of those features also help lots of other types of athletes.”

Since 2017, more focus has gone into enhancing the Apple Watch’s health and fitness features, including those that benefit runners. Upgrades included an in-built compass, a brighter and bigger watch face, and new performance features such as cadence for indoor and outdoor runs and rolling kilometre pace.

There has also been an increase to seven hours of battery for outdoor workout tracking, progressively narrowing the gap between Apple Watch and its closest running watch category competitors like Garmin.

Phil Goldstone is a runner from Sydney who has been wearing an Apple Watch since Series 3. He says Apple Watch changed the game for his running because it allowed him to see his heart rate, distance, and cadence in real-time.

“I track all my runs using Apple Watch Series 7 and sync them to Strava,” says Goldstone.

“The Workout app allows me to track my progress and volume and compare runs – plus the GPS is really accurate. It’s also good to know that you’re contactable on long runs. For example, when I ran the Berlin Marathon last year, a group of friends were tracking me and sending me encouraging messages.”

Apple says the Workout app has been one of the most popular features of the watch since launch. Its popularity is one of the key reasons Apple has invested heavily in reimagining what it can do for users.

Blahnik says the watchOS 9 update to the Workout app, which was released in late 2022, is the biggest update since the launch of the Apple Watch eight years ago.

“Our goal was to push the app even further for people who need pro training features for running their longest distance or training for an ironman, while still keeping the app simple.”

He says Apple focused on three areas of refinement – new metrics, new views and new experiences.

“There are many different types of metrics that can help a runner be more efficient or help them improve their form such as information like stride length, ground contact time and vertical oscillation,” says Blahnik.

“Because these measurements are driven by what’s happening in your lower body, they typically require an additional piece of hardware besides a watch, like something around the waist or down at the foot.

“We wanted to push it further and see if we could get the Apple Watch to do all of these new metrics without requiring a single new piece of hardware.”

Melbourne-based runner Montana Farrah-Seaton recently completed her first half ironman and last year she ran 650 kilometres in seven days using Apple Watch Ultra to keep her on track.

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She’s been surprised by the amount of data the watch can provide and how easily it can be interpreted to better understand how her running is progressing.

“I’ve been able to track my heart rate, the energy systems I’m using via heart rate zones, and also heart rate variability to support better recovery,” Farrah-Seaton says.

“I love the big face of the watch as well as technology, and the data it gives me for the different types of training I do. The only drawback is that in wet weather, the touch screen can be difficult to use, but the added action button helps get around this.”

While the Apple Watch is only eight years old, the latest additions to the watch’s already robust fitness features might make it the best running watch ever – and there’s still more to come.

Blahnik says Apple is incredibly excited about the road map ahead.

“Apple Watch has become an essential part of many people’s lives. It’s an incredibly powerful tool for people who love to wear it.”

“The launch of the new Workout app from a fitness perspective and the launch of Apple Watch Ultra have pushed us forward.

“We have a smart team of people thinking about what’s next for Apple Watch and the feedback we get from users, especially runners, inspires ideas we’ve never thought of. We’re working really hard on that right now and we’re excited about what’s to come.”

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