How to Add Effort Ratings to Your Workouts on Apple Watch

Apple has introduced a handy feature in watchOS 11 that allows users to add effort ratings to their workouts. Available in the Workout app, it helps users better understand their fitness intensity and track overall training load.

Whether you’re completing a cardio workout or engaging in strength training, this feature makes it easier to fine-tune your exercise tracking.

Effort ratings provide a numerical scale for evaluating how challenging a workout felt. For cardio-focused activities, the Apple Watch generates an automatic effort rating based on metrics like heart rate, VO2 max, age, weight, and height.

Users can then adjust this rating as needed. For non-cardio activities like yoga or strength training, effort ratings must be added manually after completing the session.

Here’s how to add an effort rating on Apple Watch:

• Go to the Workout app on your Apple Watch.
• When you’re finished with your workout, swipe right, then tap End.
• Turn the Digital Crown to scroll through the results summary, then tap Add Effort.
• Turn the Digital Crown to indicate your effort, then tap the Done button.
• When you’re finished, tap the End button at the top.

To edit your effort rating, go to the Fitness app on your iPhone, tap Sessions, tap a workout, tap Effort, drag the slider to change your rating, then tap Update.

Watch the following Apple support video to learn more.