1. An Improved Workout App

One of the most popular uses for the Apple Watch has been as a fitness companion, and the Workout app is being updated with lots of new features, including the following:

Heart Rate Zones let you monitor the intensity of your workout. Custom Workouts enable you to create your own structured workouts with rest intervals. New alert types, including heart rate, pace, and power, can guide you through your training. An enhanced display has more workout views available. You will be able to cycle through these using the Digital Crown. Cardio Recovery data allows you to monitor how quickly you recover from a workout. This is a helpful indicator of cardiovascular health.

2. Multisport Workouts and Specific Sport Enhancements

Popular exercises such as swimming and running have been given significant enhancements, including the following:

Multisport workout types that switch automatically between swimming, biking, and running workouts can help triathletes analyze performance easily. New metrics for runners include Stride Length, Ground Contact Time, and Pacer Experience, which gives you a pacesetter on runs and allows you to compete against your best time. Enhancements for swimmers, such as kickboard detection, unlock new pool swim workouts.

All data can be analyzed in your iPhone’s Fitness and Health apps to measure trends and patterns. Your iPhone is also getting a major software update with iOS 16. Check out more of the best iOS 16 features announced at WWDC 2022.

3. Improvements to Apple Fitness+ Workout Data

If you’re going through the rigors of an Apple Fitness+ workout, watchOS 9 now features more detailed displays to help you get the most out of your exercise. These will vary depending on the type of workout you choose. For example, if you’re rowing, you’ll now be able to watch your strokes per minute (SPM), or if you are cycling, you can check your revolutions per minute (RPM).

These metrics will be displayed in real-time on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV display to keep you pushing hard to reach your fitness goals.

4. Sleep Stages Added to the Sleep App

Sleep Stages is a new addition to the excellent sleep features already featured on Apple Watch. It will allow you to gather data on the stages of your sleep, measuring how long you spend in REM, Core, or Deep Sleep.

This will be displayed in the Health app on your iPhone, along with measurements such as your heart rate and sleep time.

5. AFib History Gives Insights Into Heart Health

Apple Watch can already identify potential signs of AFib, or atrial fibrillation, a leading cause of stroke.

In watchOS 9, if you’re diagnosed with AFib, you can use the AFib History feature to learn how frequently your heart rhythm shows signs of this irregularity. You can analyze these insights and track patterns in the Health app, which also includes lifestyle factors that may have influenced AFib. You can also download a PDF to share this information with your healthcare professional.

This innovative and potentially life-saving technology has been FDA-cleared.

6. A New Medications App

A new Medications feature on watchOS 9 and iOS 16 allows you to track and manage medications, vitamins, and supplements. You’ll be able to create schedules so that you can be reminded when it’s time to take your medications.

When Will The New watch OS9 Software Arrive?

Apple’s watchOS 9 update will be available in Fall 2022 as a free update for Apple Watch Series 4 or later. Your Apple Watch must also be paired with iPhone 8 or iPhone SE (2nd generation) or later that’s running iOS 16.

Explore more of the best watchOS 9 features from WWDC 2022.

Apple Watch Evolves and Improves

Apple Watch is evolving with every software update to become an integral part of your wellness routines. watchOS 9 is no exception, with plenty of new health and fitness features to help you feel your best.