WorkOutDoors is the most advanced and most configurable workout app for the Apple Watch. It's perfect for running, cycling, hiking and any other indoor or outdoor activity.

Note: WorkOutDoors requires an Apple Watch Series 3 or later. It is not necessary to have your iPhone with you during a workout.

The app uses Apple’s workout system, so all workouts are saved to the Health system. However it also provides many extra features over Apple's app, such as:

– a super-smooth vector map that can be shown during a workout;
– multiple configurable screens with metrics and graphs from a pool of 800+ data fields;
– route files can be imported and used for navigation (including turn by turn directions);
– dozens of configurable alerts (e.g. every mile; high heart rate; low pace; off-route etc);
– interval schedules can be created using the larger screen of the phone app;
– climbs and descents are supported with notifications and on-screen data and graphs;
– waypoints can be created, navigated to, and exported;
– use shortcuts to associate operations with gestures (e.g. double tap to hear configurable metrics);
– compare pace against a target or a previous workout (using metrics and a dot on the map);
– show zones for pace and power as well as heart rate (with optional coloured backgrounds);
– auto-pause is available for all outdoor activities;
– shows GPS and heart rate before starting a workout, so that you can wait for good signals;
– configure distance and pace for running / walking to come from Apple’s pedometer or from GPS;
– workouts can be exported in FIT / TCX / GPX files, or automatically sent to Strava;
– workouts created by the app can be analysed in great depth in the iPhone app.

The app also has many more features. The map is a particular highlight. It uses OpenStreetMap, which provides worldwide coverage and includes the trails necessary for outdoor workouts. It also has several features that help you navigate during a workout:

– maps can be smoothly panned and zoomed, and can rotate according to the compass;
– a breadcrumb trail of your whole route is displayed on the map during the workout;
– topographic data can be shown, with configurable contour colours and hill shading;
– map-only mode is provided for when you don't want to start a workout and just need a map;
– a circular scale is shown when you zoom, making it easy to see the distance to features;
– maps can be stored on the watch for use when offline (they are downloaded as required if online);
– a red compass points north and a green compass points to the start;
– choose a waypoint to see a compass and distance to it in the corner of the map;
– you can also navigate to waypoints on the map, such as hospitals, sights, cafes etc.

If you load a route from a GPX / TCX / FIT file then navigation is even easier:

– your position is shown on an elevation profile of the route;
– the remaining distance, time and ascent can also be displayed;
– you can get alerted when you go off-route;
– when off-route then a compass is shown which points to the nearest part of the route;
– if the route contains turn by turn directions then these can be used like a sat nav;
– if there are no directions then the app can use “bend detection” to generate them;
– the next direction is shown as an icon and distance in the corner of the map;
– the map can automatically zoom in when you are approaching a turn;
– you can use shake gestures to hear the distance to the next turn or the end of the route;
– routes are coloured by gradient: from red for steep uphill to blue for steep downhill;
– you can configure what information is displayed during a climb or descent.

All this is included for a single one-off payment. No extra in-app purchases or subscriptions are required (although there is a completely optional in-app tip jar which was requested by long-term users).

If you own an Apple Watch and do any form of exercise, then WorkOutDoors is the app for you. Give it a go!