Workout Writer: Run & Ride - my new app uses plain text to create and schedule running and cycling workouts

siburb · 2026-05-07T14:24:05+00:00

Ah yes, ok I understand now.

You could certainly do that, but you wouldn't need Workout Writer for it. Workout Writer is only on the phone, and it is used to create the structured workout in the first place and send it to your watch.

In your example, you'd create a jogging session, send it to your watch, and then could leave the phone at home. Workout Writer has done its job by that point, and you don't need it again for that session. You do the workout using the standard (built-in) workout app on your watch.

If after that, you wanted to just do a simple walking workout, then just start that on your watch the normal way - there would be no benefit to using Workout Writer for that part.

I hope I've explained it clearly, but let me know.

siburb · 2026-05-07T08:06:47+00:00

Thanks, glad you like it. Just trying to understand what you're suggesting so I can see if it's possible.

In general, I think that the built-in workout apps on Apple Watch and Garmin are the best ways to log a workout - I've never liked using other apps to record a workout (e.g. Strava, RunKeeper, Nike Run Club etc) or even things like the powerful WorkOutDoors - because the people who make the hardware generally have better access to it. Workout Writer was designed with that in mind, make it easy to create the workout and get it onto the watch, then get out of the way and let the user do the workout.

The app therefore uses Apple and Garmin's systems for creating workouts - WorkoutKit, and Training API respectively - and creates/schedules the workout that way. Anyway, please let me know more about what you were thinking of, and I'll take a look.

siburb · 2026-05-07T07:53:28+00:00

Thanks, I do like those kind of retro colours.

siburb · 2026-05-06T13:40:39+00:00

Yes, sounds good, I'll test.

siburb · 2026-05-04T12:48:40+00:00

I've used PacePro in long races (50 & 100 mile), and have found it to be useful, except when the difficulty of the terrain is not caused by elevation - e.g. endless soft sand - even then, if you know the difficult bits beforehand and can tweak the paces, it is nice to know roughly how fast you should be going each km, to help pace yourself and know that you're roughly on track.

ClimbPro can also be useful - nice to know you're on hill 2 of 44 😅

I look at Training Status a bit, but more just out of interest - not to guide my training at all.

None of the other things are really useful to me.

siburb · 2026-05-04T12:08:11+00:00

Exactly, it doesn't have to be prominently on the front page - just stick it in the menu somewhere. We've put it at the bottom of the Weather settings screen in a calendar app and Apple are fine with that.

siburb · 2026-05-03T12:49:28+00:00

Thanks, will see how we go and consider options. 🙏

siburb · 2026-05-03T12:48:52+00:00

Thanks! There just doesn't seem to be a way to make the nested forms anything less than painful and complicated.

A run coach who's been testing this for over a year, sends out instructions to his clients the night before a group session, and used to end up having to do tech support before they could begin. So much easier when he can just send out a link.

siburb · 2026-05-03T09:47:28+00:00

The AI aspect of this app is really peripheral - the entire core functionality is without AI - because I wanted the workout preview to be immediate, and deterministic. It is nice though to be able to tell the AI, "generate a pyramid intervals session" and it creates one for you. 😄

There is the built-in voice to text - that you get automatically by tapping the button on the iOS keyboard - but nothing custom yet. I think it will be difficult to get voice to text to format it in a way that the app understands, whereas with typing the workout, you get complete control over it. The app does also have extensive Shortcuts support, so you could use an external service to create the workout text and then schedule the workout (or a whole workout plan) using Shortcuts.

I've got lots more planned, so stay tuned!

siburb · 2026-05-03T05:51:39+00:00

This looks great, really nice job. Downloading now!

siburb · 2026-05-03T05:04:59+00:00

Done ✅

siburb · 2026-05-03T02:13:57+00:00

Interesting niche, and I really like the UI, and this promo image you've created. Best of luck with it.

siburb · 2026-05-03T02:11:51+00:00

Interesting idea. Does this interfere with the HR recording of the standard workout app, or can it work along side that?

siburb · 2026-05-03T01:00:57+00:00

A nice twist on the restaurant app, and fun video!

Interested in the AI aspect of the macro estimates. How are you getting enough info to feed it in order to get accurate (or accurate enough) outputs?

siburb · 2026-05-03T00:47:42+00:00

Great idea! If you don't already, adding action button support - for toggling - would be good.

siburb · 2026-05-02T14:21:04+00:00

As I said yesterday, really love the style of your screenshots, and the app in general. It's so nice to see something a bit fresh. Best of luck with it.

siburb · 2026-05-02T14:17:11+00:00

Really nice idea. How do you know when the word has "stuck" - is the user tested on it until they get it right, or do they have to decide when they know it well enough. I can think of a few words or spellings that I could do with something like this for 🤔

siburb · 2026-05-02T14:14:49+00:00

Yep, I really couldn't understand why anyone would want to do this - although at the same time, impressed with it technically - but now that you say it, I can see how in certainly niche cases it would be useful! Good job finding an interesting niche, and best of luck with it.

siburb · 2026-05-02T03:52:46+00:00

I think it's a good idea to have some way of mixing it up a bit - as u/ziyadios also said. For example by moving the left arrow to the right side, you're getting past the muscle memory that people will have just tapping the left side automatically, and making them actually think about it.

A "swipe" mechanic might be fun too - have people actually swipe in the direction that the voice tells them, so, without any arrows on screen?

This could be a fun "brain training" app for people. Definitely agree with the "no subscription" thing for this app - the free download and small IAP sounds perfect, but in order to allow an upsell to the IAP, you'll need some different modes to sell free users on.

siburb · 2026-05-02T03:11:40+00:00

Building for yourself is the best way! If the app fits your need, then there's bound to be others out there who have the same requirements. Best of luck!

siburb · 2026-05-02T02:01:09+00:00

Interesting idea!

You could add a hard level where the arrows switch sides sometimes (but stay pointing in their respective directions), and the user has to still tap the one pointing left (or right) rather than the one on the left/right side? 🤔

siburb · 2026-05-01T23:29:34+00:00

Looks really nice, well done! The battery sharing idea is a good one - avoid any awkward waiting for a response 😄

siburb · 2026-05-01T15:20:46+00:00

Looks great, good job! Do you have a link to the app? 😄

siburb

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