With the latest release of watchOS 7.2 and iOS 14.3 on the Apple Watch and iPhone, Apple has introduced a new Cardio Fitness feature that allows you to monitor your health in a more informative way.
If you think it’s just another setting that indicates your pulse throughout your workout – you’re terribly wrong. Cardio Fitness acts as an indicator of overall physical health. It can even predict your long-term health and suggest ways you can improve it.
After the latest update, Apple Watch users can now see their cardio fitness level and receive a notification if it falls within a small range.
According to Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer, estimating low levels of cardio fitness will allow users to “have more information on how they can improve their long-term health through daily activity.”
American Heart Association He also stated that in some cases, consistently low levels of cardio fitness can eventually lead to higher health risks, including but not limited to heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity.
Cardio Fitness Apple will now classify users as having “high”, “above average”, “below average” or “low” cardio fitness levels.
Apple Watch Cardio Fitness: How does it work?
The new Cardio Fitness feature targets users with a value called VO2 max, which estimates the maximum amount of oxygen your body consumes. The latest update will now allow users to estimate VO2 max not only while performing a high-intensity workout, but also while simply walking.
With watchOS 7, those who have an Apple Watch Series 3 or later will be able to get a direct measurement of the maximum VO2 score. It’s a feature available on many other fitness trackers and sports watches, so it’s good to see VO2 Max on the Apple Watch.
How to set up Cardio Fitness on your Apple Watch
- First, make sure that both your iPhone and Apple Watch are updated to iOS 14.3 and watchOS 7.2, otherwise you won’t be able to access the feature.
- Open the Apple Health app on your iPhone and tap “Browse,” then “Heart.”
- Under Cardio Fitness Levels you should see a blue setup button.
- Follow the steps and fill in the health details.
- Enable “Low Cardio Fitness Notifications” to receive alerts on your Apple Watch.
- You should now be able to see Cardio Fitness set up in the Health app.