Run with your Apple Watch

Get the most from your run with Apple Watch. And learn how to save power on long runs.

How to start a running workout

  1. Open the Workout app.

  2. Scroll to Outdoor Run or Indoor Run.

  3. Tap the More buttonthe More icon to create a goal for your workout, or to complete a Pacer or Custom workout. You can tap the Edit buttonNo alt supplied for Image to modify workouts, or scroll down and tap Create Workout to make a new one.

  4. Tap Start.

  5. Wait for the three-second countdown. To skip the countdown, tap the screen.

     An Apple Watch that shows the start of a running workout.

If you're in a country or region where Automatic Track Detection is available, your Apple Watch may recognize when you've arrived at a standard-shaped outdoor track with visible lane markings.1 When you start an Outdoor Run, you're prompted to select the lane in which you plan to run. Automatic Track Detection uses both GPS and Apple Maps data to try to give you the most accurate distance, pace, and route map. You can also add an alert for each lap completed during a track run in the Alerts settings of the Workout app.

To check your progress, check your watch face. Pace alerts are available for Outdoor Run only.

If you have Apple Watch Ultra, you can set your running workout to the Action button. You can also turn on Precision Start in workout settings, which will show when you have a GPS signal and will skip the countdown automatically.

Learn how to use the Action button on your Apple Watch Ultra

How to pause your run

To pause your run, press both the Digital Crown and the side button at the same time. To resume, press both buttons again.

You can also set indoor and outdoor running workouts to automatically pause when you stop moving.

  • On your Apple Watch, open the Settings app, then tap Workout > Auto-Pause > Auto-Pause.

  • On your iPhone, open the Watch app, tap the My Watch tab, then tap Workout > Auto-Pause > Auto-Pause.

How to end your workout

Swipe right and tap the End buttonthe end workout icon. To add or a remove a confirmation when ending a workout, open the Settings app on your Apple Watch, then tap Workout > End Workout Confirmation. When your workout ends, your Apple Watch shows you a summary of your workout. To see more, check your workout history in the Fitness app on your iPhone.

How to track your progress

Customize the metrics that you see when you work out, and see your past workouts.

Choose which metrics to track

  1. Open the Workout app.

  2. Tap the More buttonthe More icon next to the workout that you want to do.

  3. Tap the Edit button next to the goal or workout configuration.

  4. Tap Preferences, then tap Workout Views.

  5. Tap Include to add the metric to your Workout View. You can also tap the Edit buttonNo alt supplied for Image next to a metric, then select a metric to edit.

  6. Change which metrics you want to include.

You can also tap Reorder, then touch and hold the Change Order buttonthe accordion icon to change the order.

To see the metrics you included, turn the Digital Crown during your workout.

Running form metrics

There are a number of metrics to help you get the most out of your running workout.2

An Apple Watch that shows running form metrics during a run.

Vertical Oscillation: Tap to add an estimate of how much your body travels vertically as you run in centimeters. This measurement, along with stride length, can give you a sense of how much energy you’re using to drive upward versus forward. Apple Watch can log your vertical oscillation automatically during outdoor running workouts.

Running Stride Length: Tap to add an estimate of how much distance you cover from one step to the next while running in meters. Along with cadence, stride length determines your overall running speed. Apple Watch can log your running stride length automatically during outdoor running workouts. For the best Stride Length estimates, run for approximately 200 meters to calibrate your Apple Watch.

Ground Contact Time: Tap to add an estimate of the time each foot spends touching the ground while running in milliseconds. Apple Watch can log your ground contact time automatically during outdoor running workouts.

An Apple Watch that shows the Heart Rate Zone metric during a run.

Heart Rate Zones: Tap Include to add Heart Rate Zones to get a sense of your intensity level.

An Apple Watch that shows the Running Power workout metric during a run.

Running Power: Tap Include to show an estimate of the work you’re doing while running measured in watts. Running Power reflects the intensity of your run and can give a sense of your effort as your speed or incline changes. Apple Watch can log your Running Power automatically during outdoor running workouts. Running Power is reported only during running workouts and cannot capture any extra load, such as a weighted backpack.

An Apple Watch that shows the Elevation metric during a run.

Elevation: Tap Include to show your elevation as you run.

An Apple Watch that shows the Activity Rings progress during a run.

Activity Rings: Tap Include to show the progress of your Activity Rings during your workout.

View your route

  1. On your iPhone, open the Fitness app.

  2. Tap Show More next to History.

  3. Tap the workout that you want to view, then scroll down.

  4. Tap the map.

    A map of an Outdoor Run workout on an iPhone.

The colors show your pace, with green the fastest pace and red, the slowest. To see the route, you must have an Apple Watch Series 2 or later or have your iPhone with you during the workout. You must also turn on route tracking: On your iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Apple Watch Workout > While Using the App.

Race your last or best time with Race Route

After you've completed the same route two or more times with little to no deviation, you can select it and race against your last or best time with Race Route.

  1. Open the Workout app.

  2. Scroll to Outdoor Run.

  3. Tap the More buttonthe More icon .

  4. Tap the Route you wish to race against, then select Last or Personal Best.

No alt supplied for Image

As you run, your Apple Watch shows you a comparison of your current and previous run. You can check your progress to see how far ahead or behind you are, as well as the distance remaining. You'll also receive an "Off Route" notification if you run off-course.

If you're near the starting point of a previous route, available routes appear as a suggested workout. To view all routes, tap Suggested then Route.

Get ready for a long-distance run

With Apple Watch, you can choose how to get ready for a long-distance run, like a marathon.

Get better results

1. Automatic Track Detection and Race Route are available only on Apple Watch Series 4 or later with watchOS 9.2 or later.

2. Vertical Oscillation, Running Stride Length, and Ground Contact Time are available only on Apple Watch Series 6 or later with watchOS 9 or later.

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