Apple Watch syncing

Apple Watch syncing

If you use an Apple Watch and Stryd power, you’re probably already using the Stryd Workout app to execute workouts planned in the Stryd ecosystem, and return completed workout data to the Stryd PowerCenter.

But if you’re not using Stryd power, or even if you are but are looking for an alternative to the Stryd Workout app, what choices do you have to get planned workouts onto your watch, execute the workouts, and transfer completed workout data back to your chosen reviewing/metrics platform?

Your choices will primarily depend on how you execute the workout on your watch with your choice of planning and reviewing platforms influencing (but not determining) your choice of on-watch app.

Apple Workout app

The obvious choice for executing workouts on an Apple Watch is the Apple Workout app – after all, it’s available by default.

However, when Running with Power the Workout app (when used alone) has some serious shortcomings – it doesn’t:

❌ record second-by-second data into your workout file – it uses ‘smart recording’ which can result in inaccurate power averages when reviewing

❌ display lap power – making it tough to stay ‘within target’ when running intervals

❌ offer power smoothing – resulting in a ‘spiky power’ experience

❌ download structured workouts from popular platforms – requiring you to build your own workouts

❌ upload completed workouts into a power-based reviewing app – it uploads into apple health, which doesn’t provide core power metrics

If you do choose to use the Workout app, you can resolve the download and upload restrictions using additional apps – options include (but are not limited to):

TrainingPeaks (download and upload)
Final Surge (download and upload)
Intervals.icu Companion (download and upload)
HealthFit (upload only)

Even with the download/upload restrictions resolved, I wouldn’t recommend Running with Power using the Apple Workout app.

Third-party apps

Fortunately, there are some good third-party apps that can guide you through structured workouts downloaded from popular platforms, uploading the result to a range of popular platforms once you’ve finished.

Watchletic – downloads from/uploads to: TrainingPeaks; Final Surge; Intervals.icu; Stryd PowerCenter … and many others.
WorkOutDoors – can only plan using the built-in workout builder; can only upload to Strava and Apple Health.
iSmoothRun – downloads from TrainingPeaks, Final Surge; uploads to TrainingPeaks, Final Surge, Stryd PowerCenter.

I’ve tried WorkOutDoors and Watchletic (premium), and while both provided everything I needed to Run with Power, my preference was Watchletic.