Apple WatchOS 9 Running Power Comparison & Tests! 

Thanks for doing this. It will be interesting to see how much this changes between the dev betas, the public betas and the final release.

Excellent as always, Ray. The new running dynamics are definitely intriguing, even as I recently purchased the Garmin 955 standard version. Love the watch, but missing the AW7 functionality (which comes in handy as an RN in a hospital). Really hoping to see more with Apple’s direction (battery life, etc.) to determine if I’ll be making another change come the fall. With the series 8, I think minimum 3 days battery life could be a game changer for many of us. Just wish I could know their plans before the return period for the 955! 🤣

Thank you for another helpful and informative video! 👌🏻

This is fantastic since I lost my Stryd pod a few weeks ago. As always, a fantastic detailed and very useful review. Can't wait for this update in a few weeks.

Nice one! We really need running power to be standardized, so that values are comparable and usable. Hopefully, Strava will offer graphs for running power like we have with cadence and all at some point.

Great stuff. Thank you. I’m still a STRYD guy as I think power measured by foot energy exertion is better for me. Just my opinion. Look forward to seeing if they do any adjustments until final release.

Very cool to see. Unsurprisingly, Apple's first pass is not quite up to snuff, but doesn't seem like it is too far away from usability. It is rather disappointing to not have a running power standard, it seems like (with the exception of walking on the Apple) all of the devices agree proportionately. The rate of change is all close enough to give credence to using any device. Changing frame of reference for different devices isn't a deal breaker, but as we learn more about running power, we will likely be able to make suppositions based on absolute values and power to weight like we do with cycling. As of right now, that's impossible. It seems to me that we just need to pick a standard, whether it is closer to the Garmin/Polar model, or Stryd/Apple model... I don't think it matters from an athlete perspective which. I just want to be able to use my HRM tri with my Asics one day and my Stryd on my Nikes the next day and not have a complete chasm between those numbers. I expect some variation, just like cycling PMs, but those numbers are usable together. In terms of Apple, I am happy to see them offering up usable fitness modeling for their customers, but as the Apple Watch stands right now, I would never make that my primary fitness device (the fact that I don't use Apple products notwithstanding). The battery life alone is a dealbreaker, but the liability of a fairly delicate device to track my activities... I'd rather go with something specifically designed for sport. Garmin, Polar, Coros, etc., they are all going to destroy the Apple Watch at fitness tracking because that is what they are designed to do. You can't optimize for EVERYTHING. I think, on balance, most people who are bothered about running power are not going to be using Apple as their fitness tracker, but, I think what is compelling is that it might help to bridge more recreational athletes to become enthusiasts by offering those types of metrics. I suspect those folks would eventually branch out to a more fitness designed device. We all start with what we have until we grow and feel "limited" by what those devices offer. Perhaps Apple's foray into the "serious" fitness world will yield a fitness specific device, better optimized for the athlete, but I have to wonder... are they too late to the game? I don't see people dumping their flagships for the Apple offering for many generations. It will be interesting to see if there is a substantial ROI here for Apple... or do they enter the market with a fitness watch and quietly exit with no second generation? Only time will tell... Awesome video as always! Really loved seeing the power overlays!

Really enjoyed this review as I use running power with Garmin + Stryd.

Using Stryd for 3 years, I can tell you its only useful for measuring distance (if calibrated correctly for the given shoes). The uphill efforts really underestimated, when your hr goes to threshold and the power is just slightly increasing you know something is odd (using hr strap ofc)

It would be great to see the same comparison for vertical oscillation and gct.

Thank u for sharing

You can use calories burned in a given amount of time to estimate your power output. For a nice 2 mile run in 17 minutes Garmin says i averaged 349 watts and burned 217 calories. If i used the calories burned in 17 minutes to estimate my average watts, it comes to around 212 watts. My weight is around 167 lbs or so. 212 is way closer to the same watts i would do on the bike with that same effort 👍

Curios if you can add stryd foot pod as a power meter/ or foot pod, and it will use power from stryd. Not that this is necessary, as I use the stryd app anyways on the Apple Watch. Just curious if this is possible.

ahhh here we go

Running power meters seem stupid at their current state. The reason I got a cycling power meter was to quantify my efforts and assess my progress, which it does.... most of them to 1-2% accuracy. However, there is simply no way I will get a running power meter, since the data is merely an estimate. It would only be discouraging to see that it read lower power just because I was going into a headwind, uphill, on trails, or anything other conditions that the watch cannot (properly or fully) account for. Conversely, it would also be discouraging to see that I could not break power records that I set when aided by a tailwind or other metrics that the watch cannot fully account for.

Shame it's only out from Series 6 and above, even the SE got it. I do think it's because the always on sensors (barometer, altimeter) Just bought a used Series 5...unlucky... Just hope that the hearth rate zones will show up during cycling too.

Great update but no for share file gpx data

so nice my friend

I wonder if you would’ve kept your hands up like you were running while you were doing your walking if it would’ve recorded power output

Thanks for this review Ray! Do you think that down the road Garmin would provide wrist based power metrics ? (Vs an other dongle/straps)

Nice Video! Noticed you said you were using the 255 for the Garmin portion of this test. Has that been your "daily driver" since the release? Thanks!

It isn't necessarily wrong for Apple to indicate 0W when you are walking because it is not trying to measure your power when walking. In fact, I don't think power wattage is measured during walking type workouts. It could be the case that Apple has determined that at certain walking pace levels that its algorithm is inaccurate so it simply doesn't report it. Not reporting it would be missing data and therefore null.

Ray, that 40 min run that apple says you average in the mid 300s watts seems more around 237 watts based on the calories used during the run

Very nice work! Are you in Zante? Will you go to Corfu too? I would love to meet you!

This is a great video as always , can you tell us how stable is this beta ? I would love to start using this for my runs … Also are you still using Whoop ? If so can all this extra data can ported to the whoop app . Thanks

Were the Apple Watches, 0 heart rate sections included or excluded in the average power for the workout?

How is Greece treating you? You got lucky with the heat as it's still cool for a Greek summer.

First rule of fight club is that Tim Cook doesn't talk about fight club. 🍎

I just want a simple way to set hr zones with chest strap and really dont need the other 5000 metrics

Interesting! Is there any way to get the automatic “CP” in Apple Watch such as in Stryd?

I’m sure you realize that Stryd and Apple Watch have updated their app. They are all giddy as hell over there on the Stryd channel. Just makes it more confusing for me.

Will watchOS 9 upload to Strava in the beta?

Great video again, would you ever make a video about how you combine your different sports in your training?

If you only going to wear your watch some time during some run and not always wear it on daily basis too, is it still make sense to get a smartest h at all when all the data wont be sccurate?

Bedank voor de gedetailleerde video , is er nu ook in de instellingen bij auto pauze workout voor hiking en walking toegevoegd?

Thanks for the video. Please, for cycling, are any other metrics in Watch OS 9?

Just wondering ... if you want to use Apple Watch for power does it actually calculate a CP/rFTP within their system or are there any running zones?

What was the numerical difference in average power between the various devices?

Very helpful video, it is only positive that there are mainstream companies invest in sports tech, it will only bring benefits to consumers. Apple needs to work on their battery though, big no-no. Enjoy our greek sun and the natural light!

Can we expect a review of Insta360 ONE RS any time soon? 😃

Great thanks. I wish it would work for cycling. that would save a fortune on power meters.

Are these features available on Apple Watch Series 5 running watch os 9 ?

Anyone know if it is possible for apple watch power / vertical oscillation stats to be exported into Strava?

How can all these companies know whether I am running in deep mud or even snow with my heavy trail shoes or on dry condition with back wind and my lightest competition shoes? Running power is questionable unless something like a powermeter in the sole is available!

I would say running power should be zero when not running. 😬

Could you see apple having the ability to pair with stryd?

Guess you could argue that if you are walking your "Running" power is zero because you aren't running!

Imho Apple is really bad at calculating effort and fitness values in hilly terrain. I had their VO2max value fluctuate downwards dramatically on hill runs in a way I have never seen on a Garmin

Now if Apple would only be able to get a grip on the other power metric they never really were able to keep up with - battery power.

Can't seem to see this on my Watch Series 5 with the Beta. Is there any other specific setup that needs to be done first?

Nice video. 👍 are you in Spain, Italy or Greece? 😁

Wow after all that Apple still dominates lol

Ok, I've been running with Garmin power and i don't need anyone to tell me that Garmin Power is waaaaaaaay off!!!!!! At an 8:30 pace at 167 lbs,on flat pavement I'm averaging 349 Watts!!!! You're way wrong Garmin. Please fix it. Maybe pay strydr for their power algorithm and let's get it done right.

Can the watches display normalised power…….average power is fairly useless? Given there is no agreed standard, it seems fairly useless as we can’t even define what the numbers mean.

Dude... What's going on with that left arm/hand while running ;-);-);-)

Maybe I missed this, but is there no running power standard? 😂😂

Habla más despacio

Technically Apple is right... if you aren't running your run power is zero. It's a bit like your bike power meter saying your cycling power is zero when walking...

😎🤟🏼🤝

To be fair to Apple. When you measure Running power. And you walk. You’re not running. 😁

If it is "running" power it should be 0 when you walk!