WatchOS 11 for Apple Watch: New Training Load, Health Features and More

WatchOS 11 introduces several new training features for Apple Watch users, including Training Load, Pause Your Activity Rings, and Vitals App.

1. Training Load: This feature allows users to measure the intensity of their training routine and how it might affect their recovery. It uses data such as heart rate, pace, and elevation, and combines it with the user's weight and height to give an estimate of their training effort with a score from 1-10. Users can also adjust the effort if it doesn't reflect how they feel. Training Load provides a weighted average of the user's training load over a 28-day period and compares their past seven days of effort against it.

2. Pause Your Activity Rings: When users need to take a rest day or are sick, the Apple Watch now lets them pause their activity ring progress in WatchOS 11. Users can also further customize activity goals for each day of the week.

3. Vitals App: This new app provides a place for users to check their health metrics, like heart rate, and track how their vitals change over time2. It alerts users when metrics are out of range and provides a tailored message with potential explanations.

These features aim to help users better understand their daily health status using their overnight vitals and show them how workouts impact their body over time1.

The new Double Tap feature in WatchOS 11 allows Apple Watch users to interact with apps by double tapping their thumb and forefinger. This feature was initially only available on a selection of Apple's own apps, but with the update, it has been opened up to third-party app developers.

By double tapping, users can perform actions such as skipping tracks in the music app or sending a message without touching the screen. In addition, Double Tap can now scroll through any app, including Messages and Weather.

This expansion of Double Tap's functionality allows for a more seamless user experience and increased accessibility for third-party app users.