How to add a workout to Apple Fitness

Manual workout entries are added in the Health app, and then they appear in Apple Fitness. This is the most reliable way to log a missed workout so it contributes to ring progress when the details are reasonable. It will not recreate watch-only data like GPS routes or heart-rate graphs.

• Best for: missed workouts or forgotten tracking
• Adds to: Move and Exercise ring progress
• Does not add: GPS route or heart-rate graph

Common mistake: adding workouts with unrealistic calories, which can skew ring goals and competition points.

Quick steps (checklist)

1. Open the Health app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Search → Activity.
3. Tap Workouts → tap Add (top-right).
4. Enter workout details:
   • For Move credit: add total calories burned
   • For Exercise credit: add start + end time
5. Tap Done.

Note: labels can vary slightly by iOS version, but the Health → Workouts → Add path is consistent.

Can you add workouts manually?

Yes. Apple Fitness allows manual entries from the iPhone app. Use it for missed tracking, but keep entries realistic so ring progress stays accurate.

Step-by-step: manually add a workout

Add a workout to Apple Fitness manually (Health app)

Use the Health app for reliable manual logging when a workout was missed.

1. Open Health

   Open the Health app on your iPhone.

2. Find Activity

   Tap Search and select Activity.

3. Add workout

   Tap Workouts, then tap Add in the top-right.

4. Enter details

   Add calories for Move credit and start/end time for Exercise credit.

5. Save

   Tap Done to save the entry.

Methods compared

Method	When to use	Affects rings?
Apple Watch workout	You recorded it live	Yes, via ring progress
Manual add in Health	You forgot to start a workout	Yes, if it updates rings
Third-party app sync	You used a connected fitness app	Often, if it syncs to Health

Ring impact (what typically updates)

Ring / metric	When it typically updates	Notes
Move (calories)	Usually	Requires calories value
Exercise (minutes)	Often	Needs start/end time; depends on intensity estimation
Stand	Unlikely	Usually driven by standing hours, not workouts
Competition points	Indirect	Based on ring % progress; manual entry can affect rings if credited

Create a custom workout (not retroactive logging)

If you want a custom workout type for future sessions, use Fitness → Workout tab → choose a workout type → Goals → Custom/Goals → Add. This sets a goal for upcoming workouts; it does not log past activity.

If you do not see it in Fitness

• Pull down to refresh the Fitness app.
• Check that the workout saved in the Health app.
• Confirm date and time zone are correct.
• Wait a few minutes for Apple Watch sync.

Examples

• Forgot to record a 45-minute run: add a running workout with start/end time and a reasonable calorie estimate. Expect Move and Exercise rings to update if the entry is accepted.
• Logged strength training late: add strength training with the correct duration and calories. Move usually updates; Exercise may update depending on intensity estimation.

Common confusion

Manual workouts update ring totals but do not add GPS routes or heart-rate graphs. That is why your workout history may look sparse even if rings move.

FAQ

Will a manual workout affect competition points?

Yes, if it changes your ring progress for the day.

Can I edit a workout after adding it?

No. You would need to delete it and add it again.

Does Apple Fitness+ auto-add workouts?

If you start a Fitness+ session on your watch, it logs automatically. Manual adds are for missed tracking.

Why this matters

Accurate ring data keeps your weekly rhythm honest. When your history reflects the work you actually did, it is easier to stay motivated and build consistent habits. That consistency helps group challenges feel fair, too.

Related guides

• Apple Watch competition basics
• Rules behind Apple Watch competitions
• How competition points are calculated
• Activity rings explained in plain English
• What Apple Fitness vs Fitness+ actually means

Not affiliated with Apple.