6 Health and fitness features on the Apple Watch you might be missing to stay fit every day

Here’s how you can use your Apple Watch’s built-in health and fitness tools to start and maintain your personal wellness journey today.

Technology is becoming an important part of personal health management, and the Apple Watch stands out as a useful companion for anyone starting a wellness journey. Apple has focused on building health tools into its smartwatch that help users track fitness, monitor vital signs, and stay aware of their overall well-being. From simple heart rate monitoring to advanced ECG and cycling analytics, the device offers a range of features that make everyday health tracking more accessible.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 with satellite SOS, longer battery life, health tracking, and fitness features has been launched. (Apple)

By MD Ijaj Khan

Ijaj Khan is a technology journalist and Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience covering the consumer technology industry. His work spans smartphones, laptops, wearables, gaming, appliances and AI - from hands-on reviews, comparison and buying guides to breaking news and in-depth features that help readers cut through the noise and make informed decisions. Before joining HT Tech, he worked with Jagran New Media, where he sharpened his instincts for fast-paced digital reporting. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. Whether he's testing the latest flagship smartphone, tracking a major AI announcement, or putting a gaming laptop through its paces, Ijaj approaches every story with the same goal - making technology feel relevant and easy to understand for everyday users, not just enthusiasts. When he's not in front of a screen for work, he's usually travelling to a new city, hunting for great food, or keeping tabs on what's next in tech before everyone else catches on.

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Apple continues to expand these tools through regular watchOS updates. With watchOS 10, features like Live Activity for cyclists, compass upgrades for hikers, mood tracking, and outdoor light exposure monitoring were introduced. The watchOS 26 update added hypertension alerts and a redesigned Workout app, making it easier for users to manage their wellness data.

Before exploring these tools, users should ensure their Apple Watch is updated. This can be done through the Watch app on an iPhone by selecting General > Software Update, or directly on the watch under Settings > General > Software Update.

1. Access Your Health Profile

The Health app allows users to store personal health data such as blood type, gender, medical history, and medications. These details appear under Settings > Health > Health Details > Medical ID on the watch. Users can edit this information anytime, which ensures it remains accurate and useful in emergencies.

2. Record and Customise Workouts

The Workout app offers a variety of activities, including yoga, martial arts, and dance. Users can set goals for time, calories, or distance, and even build custom workouts. Music can be added for motivation through the Autoplay Media feature. Subscribers to Apple Fitness+ can also access guided workouts and meditation sessions directly from the watch.

3. Use Compass Waypoints for Hiking

The updated Compass app in watchOS 10 helps hikers stay oriented by automatically creating waypoints, showing elevation data, and marking the last known cellular or emergency call location. Offline maps from iOS 18 can now be downloaded and synced to the watch for better navigation.

4. Track Cycling in Real Time

Cyclists can use Live Activity to view real-time metrics such as heart rate, distance, elevation, and time on their iPhone’s Lock Screen or Dynamic Island. This helps riders stay informed without stopping mid-ride.

5. Monitor Heart Health

The Heart Rate app records data throughout the day, displaying averages and ranges. It helps users spot unusual patterns. Third-party apps like HeartWatch or Cardiogram offer expanded insights.

6. Take an ECG

Users with an Apple Watch Series 4 or later can take an electrocardiogram (ECG) at any time by placing a finger on the Digital Crown. The app records the heart’s rhythm and alerts users to irregularities such as atrial fibrillation.

These features collectively make the Apple Watch a helpful tool for building and maintaining healthy habits through continuous monitoring and easy access to wellness insights.