Buzz
During weightlifting sessions, it's common to complete a set, take a short break of one to two minutes, and then proceed to the next set. Although you can rely on intuition to determine when to start again, using a timer can be more precise. Interestingly, the Apple Watch’s Segments feature simplifies this process with just a double-tap.
Rest intervals vary depending on your workout type. For lighter exercises designed to flow quickly, a 30-second break between sets might suffice. Conversely, when lifting heavier weights, you might need 3-5 minutes of rest—or even longer before attempting a personal best.
Impatience can lead to starting the next set prematurely. Setting a minimum timer (e.g., two minutes) can help ensure you wait long enough. Alternatively, you might need a timer to alert you when you’ve been resting too long, signaling it’s time to get back to work.
How to Utilize Apple Watch Segments for Timing Your Breaks
The Segments feature on the Apple Watch is a hidden treasure, as frequently highlighted by the r/AppleWatchFitness subreddit. I recently stumbled upon a useful tip from u/Cultural_Rock6281 about leveraging Segments to time rest periods, and it’s quite effective. This method requires you to use the Workout app and initiate a workout session when you begin exercising. Once started, a simple double-tap on the screen creates a new segment.
While the main workout timer continues running, a separate segment timer—if configured correctly—resets to zero with each double-tap. Though commonly used to track laps during running workouts, it’s equally handy for timing rest intervals between sets.
To time your rests, double-tap the screen either before or after each exercise. (I suggest doing it beforehand, as post-exercise fatigue might cause you to forget to start the timer.)
Before you begin, ensure your watch is set to display segment times. Here’s how to enable this view:
Choose the workout type you intend to perform (likely Traditional Strength Training)
Press the three dots button
Click the pencil icon on the “open” workout (or the one you plan to use)
Select “workout views” and then “edit views”
Enable a view that includes the segment timer, such as “Metrics 2.”
Begin your workout.
Rotate the crown to access the view with the segment timer.
Then, during your workout:
Double-tap to initiate a new segment when you start your exercise.
Check your wrist when you feel it’s time to resume. (Keep in mind that the exercise itself likely took around 30 seconds, so the timer will show 2:30 after a two-minute rest.)
Ready? Double-tap to start a new segment and continue your workout.
If you’re highly organized, you can start new segments both when you begin and end your exercise. Alternatively, you might prefer to start the segment only when you finish the exercise and begin resting. The choice is yours. (For more tips on using Apple Watch Segments, refer to our guide here.)
