# How to use Apple Watch Ultra for fitness tracking > Updated: 2026-08-06 · Source: https://dorsi.ai/topics/apple-watch-ultra Consumer-wearable activity trackers have become essential for recording fitness and health measures, and recent advances enable continuous monitoring of… The Apple Watch Ultra is built for athletes who push hard outdoors. Its dual-frequency GPS keeps tracking accurate even in dense city canyons or under tree cover. The Action Button lets me start a run or a dive without looking at the screen. Battery life hits 36 hours typical use, enough for a multi-day backpacking trip without charging. If you want a watch that survives scrapes on granite and still gives you heart rate variability and recovery scores, the Ultra is the one. Dorsi uses that data to coach your next move. Consumer-wearable activity trackers have become essential for recording fitness and health measures, and recent advances enable continuous monitoring of biometric data like heart rate variability (HRV) and resting heart rate (RHR) [1][2]. The Apple Watch Ultra takes this further by providing continuous monitoring of physiological and behavioural health metrics, increasingly used to support healthcare delivery [3]. For those serious about fitness, these metrics offer actionable insights. Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of death, motivating the use of long-term wearable heart monitors [4]. Stress is an increasingly prevalent mental health condition with serious effects [5], and sleep is a fundamental biological function critical for health [6]. The Apple Watch Ultra tracks VO2 max, a key indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness [7], helping users understand their overall health. By combining these features, the Ultra is a powerful tool for anyone looking to elevate their fitness journey. ## How do I set up the Workout app for strength sessions? Open the Watch app on your iPhone, scroll to Workout. Tap Workout View and select 'Add Workout' then 'Strength Training'. Customize the metrics to show heart rate, active calories, and duration. Skip the auto-pause feature for lifting, you want continuous tracking. ## Map the Action button to start a workout The orange Action button on the Ultra is a game changer. Go to Settings > Action Button. Set it to launch a custom workout. I use it for Strength Training. One press and I'm in. No scrolling through menus mid-set. ## Track recovery with HRV and resting heart rate Apple Watch Ultra gives you HRV readings. Check them each morning before coffee. A consistent baseline is key. If your HRV drops 10-15 points from your 7-day average, you might need a rest day. Don't let a single low reading scare you off. ## Compare route tracking for outdoor runs The Ultra has dual-frequency GPS. For runners, this matters. It locks onto satellites faster and handles city canyons better. On a recent 10k run through downtown, my old watch lost signal twice. The Ultra nailed it. Use it to track precise route data for pacing analysis. ## FAQ ### What's so special about the Apple Watch Ultra? It's the rugged version. Titanium case, flat sapphire crystal, bigger crown. A second button for quick actions. The Action Button is genuinely useful for starting a workout or marking a waypoint. Battery life hits 36 hours standard, 60 on low power. Dual-frequency GPS that actually works in cities. Depth gauge for diving. Siren for emergencies. That precision dual-frequency GPS alone makes it worth it for trail runners who've lost signal in canyons. ### Is the Apple Watch Ultra still worth buying? Absolutely, if you need what it does. The Ultra 2 came out but the original Ultra is still a beast. You get almost identical features for less money if you find it refurbished. The battery degradation after a year is minimal. I'd still pick it over a Series 9 for outdoor use. The flat screen is a lot tougher. Just don't buy it for fashion. Buy it because you actually take your watch into places where a regular one would break. ### Is the Apple Watch Ultra being discontinued? Apple discontinued the original Ultra when they launched the Ultra 2 in 2023. So the first-generation model isn't sold new anymore. But you can still find it refurbished or from third-party sellers. It's not like they killed the line. The Ultra 2 is the current model, and it's basically the same watch with a faster chip. So if you see 'Ultra' being sold new at a discount, it's likely old stock. No reason to worry about support for years. ### What is the difference between an Apple Watch and Ultra? Regular Apple Watches (Series 9, SE) have aluminum cases, rounded edges, and OLED screens that curve into the glass. The Ultra has a titanium case, flat sapphire crystal, and a bigger 49mm size. It also has an extra programmable Action Button, a louder speaker for calls, a siren for emergencies, a depth gauge, and dual-frequency GPS that's way more accurate. Battery life is triple the regular watch. The Ultra is for outdoor adventures and durability. Regular is for everyday fitness and style.