Apple has finally added the Apple Watch feature users have been begging for - and it's ideal if you feel guilt
How does the new feature in WatchOS 11 allow users to manage their Activity rings?
The new feature in WatchOS 11 allows users to manage their Activity rings by giving them the ability to pause their rings for a day, week, month, or more6. This means that users can now take rest days without breaking their streaks, which has been a much-requested feature from Apple Watch users. The update also allows users to customize their ring goals for each day, providing more flexibility and motivation.
What is the purpose of the Activity rings on the Apple Watch, and how do they function?
The purpose of the Activity rings on the Apple Watch is to motivate users to move, exercise, and stand more throughout the day in order to promote a healthier lifestyle. The Activity rings consist of three individual rings - Move, Exercise, and Stand. Each ring represents a different aspect of physical activity and is designed to encourage users to meet their daily goals.
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Move Ring: This red outer ring tracks the active calories you burn throughout the day. Active calories are the ones you burn through various movements, such as walking, running, or even cleaning. The goal is to meet or exceed the daily calorie-burning target set by the user.
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Exercise Ring: The green middle ring counts the minutes of activity at or above a brisk walk3. The default goal is 30 minutes per day, and it requires intentional exercise to close the ring. Users can engage in various workouts, such as running, swimming, or high-intensity interval training, to earn Exercise minutes.
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Stand Ring: The blue inner ring shows how many hours of the day you stood for at least one minute, with the goal of moving in at least 12 different hours2. It encourages users to avoid sedentary behavior and stand up to stretch or move around.
By closing each ring daily, users can achieve a healthier lifestyle and earn awards and badges within the Activity app. The Apple Watch also provides personalized coaching and encouragement to close the rings and offers the ability to share Activity rings with friends and family for added motivation and friendly competition.
What are some of the benefits mentioned for being able to pause Activity rings on the Apple Watch?
The ability to pause Activity rings on the Apple Watch brings several benefits to users:
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Rest without guilt: Users can now take a rest day without feeling guilty about breaking their streak. This feature allows users to pause their rings for a day, week, month, or more without losing their progress.
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Flexibility: The update gives users more flexibility to take a break when they need it. People can now plan rest days during their training, account for injuries, or simply take a day off without worrying about their streak.
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Customizable goals: With the new update, users can also customize their ring goals for each day, making it easier to match their fitness goals with their daily schedule2.
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Motivation: By allowing users to pause their rings, the feature can actually provide more motivation to continue exercising. Users can now avoid feeling discouraged when they need to rest or when life gets in the way of their fitness routine.
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Better long-term health: Rest days are essential for overall health, as they help avoid injuries caused by overtraining and give time for muscles to repair and get stronger. The pause feature encourages users to take necessary rest days, contributing to better long-term health.
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Improved mental health: The ability to pause Activity rings can also have a positive impact on users' mental health. It can help reduce the pressure to maintain an ongoing streak and allow people to listen to their body's needs without feeling guilty or anxious.