this post was submitted on 20 Nov 2023
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Hey all! I was wondering if I should buy an Apple watch. I don't need notifications, phone calls, or any other distractions. Receiving those will be even a minus for me!

I am interested if I'll get any real benefits to track different aspects of my health? Obviously, my iPhone tracks how many steps I am making every day.
Can you tell me what you track in the health section? And how your life really improved after started tracking this specific thing?

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I principally use my Apple Watch to track my activity, workouts, nutrition, sleep, and recovery.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

With the Athlytic app

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

The alarm function is superior on a watch compared to iPhone - it vibrates on your wrist in the morning so it’s harder to miss but also silent.

For the notifications, why don’t you disable most of them and leave only the important ones? In my opinion it isn’t worth it to have a watch if you don’t have notifications on. Having them so accessible is like one of the main selling points. For me at least.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I seem to be doing something wrong with my alarm function. How can I set it to have multiple alarms in the morning, to function as a snooze? And sometimes it seems my phone still goes off, and my watch.. I’m missing something here.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I wear it to sleep and love waking up by haptic instead of Apple alarm sounds. It is great for controlling music when running and seeing data. You start using it more because it is a nice shortcut rather than pulling out the phone.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

to complete the Apple ecosystem

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

In my case, I use it like a way of reduce my screen-time and phone addiction. It is working pretty good for me.

Since I have an Apple Watch, I can just spend my day outside without worrying of having my iPhone. If I need to communicate I can do it, but I don't have a permanent distractive tool.

That's it. I just want it because I can be more flexible with my phone usage.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I think if you are questioning why you need it then you probably don’t. I find mine to be indispensable but I use the smartwatch features and use the fitness tracking as well.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Fall detection.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Apple watch is also useful for those who wish to reduce screen time. You can just park your phone when at home and wear a watch around the house so you don’t miss any important calls/txts/e-mails.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I primarily got my watch because of some health issues that required me to track my activities and bpm more. I’ve turned off almost all notifications on my Apple watch, no always on screen either. I mainly use it to track my workouts, my health data and sleep including alarm.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Literally got one just for the multiple timers. Makes multitasking simpler

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I originally bought mine for using at the gym to track workouts. I also have Fitness+ for free through work, and they said you basically need an Apple Watch to take full advantage of it. I use Fitness+ to vary my treadmill, cycle and elliptical workouts.

I also like using it to track how I'm sleeping. Good data there.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Read the time. You don’t need any reasons tbh, a watch is made to read the time, an Apple Watch can do a bunch more of stuff. There’s people who spend thousands on a normal watch, when you see it from this perspective the price of an Ultra for example, would seem very reasonable

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I find myself similar to your situation. I also don’t want notifications and health data. However, having Apple Pay on my wrist is way better than on my phone since it’s more accessible, as I need the FeliCa for residence entry and payment every day. It can also be used for music.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I try to walk 10,000 daily steps. It helps me get exercise. That's the main reason I enjoy my Apple Watch.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I wanted to start running more in the morning before the family is up. The watch's alarm function is great so I can get up without waking my significant other. The tracking feature is great so you can see progress over time and keep the motivation up (a phone also works but who wants to carry around a phone while running?)

There are little things that I've since discovered that are helpful as well (Apple Pay on the watch and tracking sleep for example), but even that's all the watch did I'm a happy customer.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

If you’re not active or you don’t go to the gym I would say you probably don’t have a good use for it if using it as an extension of your phone is a minus for you.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

The passive monitoring is pretty amazing and has saved people's lives by tipping them off to health conditions they weren't aware of. But tbh, I'm pretty active and have never once used my health data in any meaningful way. Sleep data I would but with the battery life I need to remember to charge it before bed everyday.

If getting shiny badges and fireworks motivates you to stay fit or you could use a luxury LifeAlert then the Apple Watch has you covered

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

If you don’t want the notifications/calls/texts. Get a Fitbit.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

read notifications and do workouts

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I got this for the reasons you listed. Resting heart rate is a metric I want to lower.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Spend money 💰

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Snoopy watch face.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

If you don’t want extra distractions, you may want to consider the Oura ring. My boss used to have an Apple Watch and switched from that to the Oura ring.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

You don't need it. There are more minimalistic health trackers like Withings or the Oura ring.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I primarily like mine for fitness stuff. It is also great for pairing with AirPods and going on walks or runs. I can listen to music and podcasts without my phone.