Tracking With a Smartwatch

For Gentler Streak to make sense, you need to make two things work: be active and  track activities with a smartwatch.

Once that is happening, here are some tricks on how to get the most high-quality data out of your devices.

For Apple Watch Users

Use the accompanying Gentler Streak app on the Apple Watch to get the most out of your workout.

However, you can opt for other activity-tracking apps to pair with your iPhone’s Health app. Keep in mind not all apps share data with the Health app, which may leave us without enough data to use.

To make sure the app stores the data on your iPhone:

• Open the Health app and tap the profile picture in the upper right corner.

• Under Privacy, go to Apps and see if your go-to activity tracking app is on the list of Data Sources.

• If not, open that app and select the option to connect with Health—usually somewhere in the app’s Settings.

Find the app of your choice and follow its connection process:

• Strava: Tap You→Settings→Applications, Services, and Devices→Health

• MapMyRun: Tap More→App & Devices→Apple Watch→Apple Health

• Adidas Running: Tap Profile→Settings (top right corner)→Partner Accounts→Apple Health

• Runkeeper: Tap Me→Settings (top right corner)→App, Services, and Devices→Apple Health

• MyFitnessPal: Tap More→Apps & Devices→Health app

• Pacer: Tap Me→Settings (top right corner)→Apps & Devices→Apple Watch / Health

• Komoot: Tap Profile→Settings (fourth icon on top)→Apple Health

Other Smartwatches

First, check if your activity-tracking app (Garmin Connect, Polar Flow, Sunnto, etc.) stores data in your iPhone’s Health app.

Usually, the app asks you to grant access to Health at first launch, but sometimes you must find that option in the app and connect it with Health.

Find the app of your choice and follow its connection process:

• Garmin Connect: Tap More→Settings→Connected Apps→Apple Health

• Sunnto: Tap Profile→Settings→Save to Apple Health

• Polar Beat: Tap Settings→Apple Health

• Polar Flow: Tap More→General Settings→Apple Health

Help Your Devices Collect the Best Data

Gentler Streak is at its finest when equipped with accurate data. Here’s what you can do before each workout to get the most accurate data:

• Slightly dampen your wrist at the place where Apple Watch touches it. This way, the Watch will get better heart rate readings.

• Tighten the Apple Watch and wear it at the tip of the ulna, the bone on your wrist that sticks out.

• If you are serious about health data and don’t want to miss a beat, a Bluetooth chest strap is a good option. The chest strap can be 99% accurate and helps save the Apple Watch battery during longer workouts.

Once that’s all done, it’s time to get those shoes on! Don’t forget to start and stop the workout on your smartwatch. Later, open Gentler Streak to understand its effect on your fitness.

Pro Tip: Add the Gentler Streak app to your Apple Watch so you can control it while working out.