Why It's 'Time to Walk' With Your Apple Watch GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO News > Software & Apps
Why It's 'Time to Walk' With Your Apple Watch
Better than podcasts?
By Charlie Sorrel Charlie Sorrel Senior Tech Reporter Charlie Sorrel has been writing about technology, and its effects on society and the planet, for 13 years. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 13, 2021 11:17AM EST Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Software & Apps Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming Key Takeaways
Time to Walk appears to be a new feature coming in iOS 14.4.New workouts are delivered automatically to your Apple Watch.Guided walking workouts use augmented reality to help get more out of your walks. Apple Apple Fitness+ is pretty great if you’re happy working out in front of a screen, but what if you want to take things outside? In iOS 14.4, apparently you can. Though there hasn't yet been an official announcement, Time to Walk appears to be a beta Apple Watch feature that, though not yet live, will be able to grab audio tracks, then offer you guided audio workouts. These could be power walks, regular walks, or runs. “Walking is an excellent form of cardio if you do it with intensity and intention,” John Thornhill, a master trainer at Aaptiv, told Well+Good. Time to Walk
First shared by Khaos Tian on Twitter, Time to Walk automatically downloads new workouts to your Apple Watch when it’s connected to power and near your iPhone. This is how software updates and podcasts are added to the watch, and it means that you always have a fresh workout ready to go. Based on the name, it would seem that Time to Walk reminders would pop up at intervals, much like the existing Time to Stand reminders. What s the Point
We could speculate all day about the format these workouts will take. Will they use music? Offer guided walking instructions? We don’t know. But we can talk about the efficacy of guided walking workouts. “If you’re talking about interval workouts, there are only so many ways you could structure such a running session,” Reps & Sets app developer Graham Bower told Lifewire via direct message. “You definitely don’t need new workouts each week.” The one big advantage of walking is that almost anyone can do it. You don’t need special gear, a gym, or a running track. You can just go out and walk. Pedometer apps, which use your watch or phone to count your steps, help to motivate you through minimum daily step goals, but they count a saunter the same as they count a jog. Guided Walking
Guided walking workouts combine the accessibility of walking with the training advantages of or High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). “A casual stroll in the neighborhood may not make you sweat or spike your heart rate, but if you incorporate HIIT into your walking routine, you can get more out of it,” says Thornhill. How might this fit into the Time to Walk feature? It could be as simple as a series of instructions to speed up and slow down while you walk. The Apple Watch knows where you are, and how fast you are moving, so switching to a new audio clip telling you to speed up when you reach a hill, for example, would be technically straightforward. However Time to Walk works out, there’s always a great alternative to keep you company during walks: podcasts. Free, plentiful, and automatically delivered, podcasts are just about the best walking companion around. Apart from a dog. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use Apple Watch With Siri How to Close Apps on an Apple Watch Apple Fitness Plus Price, Release Date, Features, and News Is an Apple Watch Worth It? How Does Apple Watch Measure Exercise? How to Use WhatsApp on Your Apple Watch How to Activate Your Apple Watch Step Counter 10 Best Apple Watch Fitness Apps of 2022 Apple Watch vs. Fitbit The 11 Best Workout and Exercise Apps of 2022 Apple Watch Series 7: Price, Release Date, News, and Specs How to Use Your Apple Watch The 10 Best Pedometer Apps for Android in 2022 How to Use Maps on the Apple Watch How to Back Up Your Apple Watch How to Transfer Calls From Your Apple Watch to Your iPhone Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies