[bdavbdav]

What kind of exercise? I run, row, lift and do various group PT classes. Running it’s essential for pacing and target HR Zones, same for rowing, and on the group PT they’re very variable in terms of what they’re targeting, and it’s good to know if I’m short on (an)aerobic workouts.

[kelnos]

I think a lot of people exercise a bit less "scientifically". I tracked my runs for many years, but ultimately never did anything with the data, and rarely even referred to it for anything useful.

I generally "track" the effectiveness of my exercise based on the end results: my weight, how I feel, how my body looks, etc., and I can generally tell by how I feel while exercising if I'm doing enough or if I need to exercise more or use heavier weights.

It's funny, because I am a bit of a data hoarder, and love the idea of tracking stuff. But I've started to realize that I never really use that data for anything. And it's not like people didn't have effective exercise regimens before the advent of all this tracking technology.

[NoLinkToMe]

> love the idea of tracking stuff. But I've started to realize that I never really use that data for anything.

I walked the exact same path.

For runnings and aerobic exercise in general I tracked for a few years my times, calories, heartrate. But indeed never did anything with that data, nor really used it as a benchmark.

After a while I was also pretty easily able to find and sit in a particular heart rate zone, without periodic feedback from my watch.

Of course you'd want that precise info as a professional runner. But for me it was mostly useless. My apple watch broke during a swim one day and I never cared to replace it. Haven't missed it once to be honest.

I still track my big compound lifts in the gym on my phone using a simple app, to track progress. I don't particularly do much with that data. If it's improving I'm happy, if it's not I'm a bit disappointed. But in any case I tend to go pretty hard in the gym, lifting a number of sets with a few reps in reserve, and try to increase the weights slowly. In that regard tracking a set helps to set the baseline for the next workout, that's helpful. But I still adjust based on how I feel that day, aiming to simply complete a few sets with a few reps in reserve (i.e. making it as challenging as it can be without sacrificing safety or unnecessarily long recovery). It's a constant reminder of how far I've come also, which is nice.

[codr7]

I once got a pulse meter, almost killed me on the second run because I was trying to push myself to the same point as the previous, never again.

[bdavbdav]

I think for me it’s more the targets - trying to shave a minute off a 5k time or similar.

[coryfklein]

I guess I'm not so scientific? I do similar exercise as you (minus the PT), though my goal is mostly to avoid being sedentary, so as long as I feel like I'm pushing myself I feel good.

I did use the watch once to see what each HR zone feels like and I thought that was a useful calibration, but as a normal dude where fitness is just one small aspect of my life I wouldn't buy an Apple Watch specifically for that feature.

I'm not saying it can't be helpful with fitness, but responding to OP saying that fitness/health is the primary feature for themselves and many of their family/friends. For me, the primary features are:

1. Telling time

2. Putting my notifications on my wrist

3. Starting timers with Siri

4. Setting up reminders with Siri

Surely there are folks where the fitness features provide the critical marginal feedback that gets them up and moving, to the point where owning vs not owning the watch is a big deal!

But reading the comments here, it sounds like it's very useful for people who are quite scientific about their fitness (HR zones, tracking, etc), and tangentially useful (rings remind folks to get off the couch/stand) for other folks at risk of a sedentary lifestyle. It doesn't all add up to me as "fitness is the main reason many people use the watch!"

[nradov]

Sure, the fitness tracking features aren't essential. It's absolutely possible to train to an elite level purely by perceived exertion without using any devices at all. But the device makes everything easier and more convenient, especially if you're trying to target specific energy systems or follow a structured training plan. Some of us also enjoy sharing activities with our friends on Strava.

[bdavbdav]

The Strava effect is a huge motivator for many.