With watchOS 7.2 and iOS 14.3, Apple added a few new health-related features. The company’s workout service Apple Fitness+ is now available, and Apple has also launched a new feature for the Apple Watch – Cardio Fitness levels. Here’s how to set up and use cardio fitness on Apple Watch.
How to Set Up Cardio Fitness on Apple Watch
In this article, we’ll take a look at enabling cardio fitness levels on your devices. We’ll also learn how to use cardio fitness on iPhone and Apple Watch and see what you can do to improve your cardio health. You can skip to the section you want using the table of contents below.
Enable Cardio Fitness Levels on iPhone and Apple Watch
You’ll need iOS 14.3 and watchOS 7.2 to adjust cardio fitness levels on your Apple Watch and iPhone. If you did, follow the steps below.
- Open the health app on your iPhone and tap “Browse” in the bottom navigation bar.
- Tap on ‘Heart’
- Scroll down a bit and tap on ‘Cardio Fitness’.
- Scroll down again and you’ll find a card to set Cardio Fitness Levels. Tap on ‘Set’.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. If you haven’t already, you will need to fill out your health information.
It takes you through cardio fitness levels etc. You will have enabled the feature after a few screens informing you about it. Apple Watch will now track your cardio fitness levels as you workout and save them in the health app.
How to Use Cardio Fitness to Check Your Fitness Level
The main purpose of cardio fitness levels is to measure your overall cardiorespiratory health. For this, your cardio fitness level is classified into one of four categories: high, above average, below average, and low.
Here’s how to see your cardio health on your iPhone
- Tap ‘Browse’ in the Health app.
- Tap on ‘Heart’
- Tap on ‘Cardio Fitness’. Here you will see your VO2max measurements and where you stand on average based on your age, weight and height.
Get Help to Improve Your Cardio Fitness Level
As you can see above, my mostly sedentary lifestyle is having some irritating effects on my Cardio Fitness levels. Fortunately, Apple isn’t trying to just put you in panic mode with these readings.
- Scroll down on the Cardio Fitness page and you’ll see a few Cards related to Cardio Fitness. Open any.
- You’ll get loads of information about these levels, how they’re measured, and more. You will also see a section on how you can improve your cardio fitness level.
So yes, you can do aerobic activities including HIIT or simply jog or jog to improve your cardiorespiratory fitness level.
Enable Cardio Fitness Level Notifications on Apple Watch
Another useful thing you can do with the cardio fitness feature is to receive notifications on your Apple Watch when your fitness levels drop. While you get this option during setup, if you didn’t enable it then, here’s how to enable it now.
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap on ‘Heart’.
- Enable the toggle next to ‘Cardio Fitness Notifications’.
Don’t worry, you won’t get notifications from this feature every day. Apple Watch will track your cardio fitness levels and send you a notification every four months if your health levels are consistently low.
Use Cardio Fitness Levels to Measure Your Health
Cardio Fitness Levels is a great new addition to the Apple Watch’s line of really useful health features. The Apple Watch is a really nice health companion to have and can send you irregular heartbeat notifications, low heart rate notifications and much more. Plus he can now look at your overall health and tell you if you need to exercise more. These are all really good things. So, are you going to use cardio fitness levels on your Apple Watch? Let us know in the comments.
