Apple Watch Ultra Review: A Game-changer in Pro Triathlon Training and Racing with OS10

[@ZeRo-22-]

This was such a great, honest video. Kudos to you. I’ve been through the Apple/Garmin journey and always felt like I was missing something with my AW Ultra, but when I switched to Garmin I felt like I was missing more not having my Apple Watch. Glad to see other athletes feel the same!

[@justinwuwuwu]

Good context here. I got a full IM coming up and was worried that the battery actually wouldn't last the full race. I'm going to do what you do and use my Ultra for the swim and run but use my bike computer for the ride.

[@ZwiftDude]

The recent announcement of Watch OS 10 to Apple Watches is very powerful for running and swimming and even getting it closer to making a bike computer redundant.

[@Josh_lewis]

For sure! It’s a great investment

[@CanInelli]

What updates are added for swimmers in Watch OS10? I use AWU for Open Water Swimming and unfortunately the GPS has not been reliable..

[@ClaytonBillion-s6i]

Great review. I'd love to transition from my Garmin to Apple Watch Ultra 2, however there's a few things I struggle with: 1) No manual lap swim option (the action button would be perfect for this) and 2) Trainingpeaks only supports running and cycling workouts (no strength/gym, swim workouts). Easy fixes with a software update, but who knows when that will come...

[@BrunoDECOURCY]

I Can’t wait for watchOS 10. The Watch Ultra is a beast of a watch and a real Swiss Knife! I have one since end October 2022 and I love wearing it ever since.

[@jonathantimm4645]

I have been using the Ultra over Garmin or Coros. Having cellular that I can use without killing the battery is a game changer. It stinks to have to charge more than competitors but it is worth it for me.

[@Josh_lewis]

Completely agree!

[@WaleedDeeba]

How is the GPS in the OWS and how do you manage T1 & T2 with the Apple watch ultra?

[@kylecrumpton1048]

following

[@mennodellisse631]

Hey Josh, thanks for this! While I am kind of an apple addict the ultra totally failed me during the Cascais IM. No map / distance recorded during the swim, great during T1 and bike ( including auto power connect ), and then it went dark. No T2 nor run without any sign thereof. Realised it mid run. Apple has no explanation. Think I’ll go for manual activity start, agree that individually it is amazing, but in my case the triathlon mode failed big time. Well done on your performance by the way. Inspiring!

[@Josh_lewis]

Thank you!! But that's very strange for the watch. To be honest i don't use it for the whole race only the run, but that shouldn't be happening. Very annoying! Hope it get's sorted / do manual. I just do manual personally

[@williamkterrell]

Nice commentary, as a former Pro athlete I have been all over the place with Garmin Suunto Apple. My house is apple and now I am happy with Ultra because it bridges training and smart watch. Garmin should of at least a year ago updated all Fenix and Epix watches with phone and text capable. Suunto is so far behind, the Baro 9 is so dim that you cant see it. Keep up the great work.

[@Josh_lewis]

Thanks Will! Completely agree! I guess they are slightly different markets, but still much prefer the apple watch especially with upgraded OS

[@blumchue]

Good review, my first Apple Watch was a series 4. I currently have Apple Watch Series 7, the only thing I don’t like about it right now is the fact that it still using the same chipset from the Apple Watch Series 6 for the past three years hopefully the Series nine will have a new more power efficient chipset. I love the Apple Watch ultra design, but it’s so bulky and thick, but most sport watches are.

[@adomasjasiukenas1425]

Hey! Really amazing upadate. Do you use offline maps or maybe you know how to use it on apple watch ultra?😊

[@MatthewSpurr]

Well done in Barca Josh! Good video too man. I also use the Apple Watch ultra. I've found it was good pretty good for swim, decent for just distance on bike and for the run it has failed to start the run out of T2 for the last 2 times, and during the race I can't figure out if there's a way to force it to move onto the run. So that's annoying... if it ain't on Strava... and so that's annoying haha.

[@jakeforrest5847]

Excellent review!

[@Enthusiast_Plus]

So basically just running and swimming, cycling still hit or miss?

[@Josh_lewis]

I’d say with their update cycling is now spot on

[@MikeGonzalez777]

How has this been during wet conditions? That’s the game changer for me. The buttons. Has it gotten better?

[@Josh_lewis]

I have no issues in the wet tbh! Although, I put the water lock on whilst doing my runs so that it doesn’t get effected and then use the buttons to lap and pause etc

[@MikeGonzalez777]

@ thank you!

[@scottjames7963]

What is the Watch Face you keep showing? Looks like Color, but you have all white hands...including the second hand (How??) Great Video, Thanks!

[@scottjames7963]

Found it! "Simple" Thanks!

[@TheDude-m2n]

Would be cool to see training plans. It’s why I love Garmin. Also, for HR sensor I think Polar 10 edges slightly better with the main reason being that the straps are replaceable.

[@kevinportmann]

Hey Josh - thanks for the review. I’m considering the ultra. Do you know how the interactions with platforms like TrainingPeaks work, by any chance? When creating a run workout with intervals at a specific pace, the Garmin would vibrate if you’re outside of the range. Do you happen to know if that is the case as well with the Ultra? Thanks again. Cool review. I’m ready to get rid of having multiple watches like you mentioned in your intro 😃

[@Josh_lewis]

Hey Kevin, yes it works with all the platforms fine. You just sync it through the healthfit app. I haven't actually used it for built sessions before, but i'm pretty sure it does exactly the same!

[@kevinportmann]

@@Josh_lewis thanks bud. Seems like it is possible, indeed. I might bite the bullet, sell a kidney and get the AWU 2 😃

[@benwalton]

Do you use any navigation apps like Workoutdoors? Love the Apple Watch but feel the missing feature is being able to follow a route, especially when travelling.

[@Josh_lewis]

I don’t, no. And agree that would be really useful. I tend to just use the native workout app as in general it’s all I need. Tbh I never used it on my other watches either though. But the new OS is meant to have exactly that for following a route, and better training peaks / workout integration

[@binarysun_]

Just decided to send my ultra back and keep my Fenix. Can’t have a watch where I have to switch off basically everything just to have it survive a 2-3h run and then still can’t listen to music or podcasts or it’s dead after not even two hours. Love it as a smartwatch but the battery is still abysmal I am really unsure how well cycling would work with os10 because of the battery issue. Cannot imagine you can really use it for a serious even half-day bike ride 🤔

[@Josh_lewis]

That’s so strange? I’ve never had a battery issue? Mine works for 2 full days without fail and I have it on constantly 🤷‍♂️

[@martowl]

I have done two 50k races with the AWUltra, I can get 20h of GPS tracking so enough for a 100k trail race. Don’t understand your comment.

[@AlvanVittorino]

Are you sure you didnt get the fake chinese version?😂 I finished a 2 hour run while listening to a podcast connected to my airpods and still have plenty of battery for the rest of the day. Not sure about the issue u had.

[@binarysun_]

@@AlvanVittorino LOL, pretty sure it was the real thing. Otherwise Apple should check their vendors. Was doing a long run through the woods with some radio stream and bad reception from time to time. Dunno. @matowl what’s not to understand started with an almost full battery and came home with an almost empty one 🤷‍♂️ that’s all I can say about this.

[@ВюгарРагимов]

@@martowl what can you say about display switching off while running? You have to tap the display every 70 seconds just to keep it turned on. I want to control my HR but I wonder how many times you tapped it during your races ? This is the only thing that stop me from buying AWU

[@shimodafilms]

Is he real? Uncanny valley.