WatchOS 11 for Apple Watch: New Training Load, Health Features and More – CNET

Apple’s next Apple Watch update, WatchOS 11, is official. The company showcased the new software on Monday during its annual WWDC keynote event, held at its Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California.

Apple’s WatchOS software updates typically span fitness, health and connectivity, among other areas. Last year, for example, the company updated the user interface with new widgets and added new tools and metrics for cyclists. Before that, it added new stats for runners with WatchOS 9 in 2022. 

WatchOS 11 will be available as a full release in the fall, but you can download a developer beta now. It’s compatible with all Apple Watches from the Series 6 and later, and you’ll also need an iPhone running iOS 18. Apple dropped support for the Series 4 and 5 with WatchOS 11. 

When paired with an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, an Apple Watch running WatchOS 11 will forward summarized notifications to the watch — one component of Apple Intelligence.

Training load

The Apple Watch now offers a way to measure the intensity of your training routine and how it might affect your recovery. Called training load, it uses data like your heart rate, pace and elevation, and combines it with your weight and height to give an estimate of your training effort with a score from 1-10. You’re also able to adjust the effort in case it doesn’t reflect how you feel.

Training load can better indicate how well your body is going with your workout routine. This can be helpful when you’re training for a marathon or other competitive event when you may be at risk of over- or under-training. Training load is available for many cardio-based workouts, but for workouts where an estimation isn’t provided, like strength training, you are able to enter in an effort rating. Many other wearables offer a similar view of recovery and training load data, including Garmin watches.

You’ll be able to see a weighted average of your training load over a 28 day period, then compare your past seven days of effort against it.