I’m looking to upgrade my Series 4 Apple Watch, and as I’m a few months shy of 50, I’d like to have something on the nicer side, like the stainless steel version. But I see many references online to feelings that it’s too heavy for use during workouts. I’m not running marathons, just a few miles on a treadmill then some weights. But it is giving me pause.
Then I saw that you can have two Watches paired to one iPhone… so if I go with stainless steel and I don’t like the weight for exercise, I could switch back to my Series 4 aluminum.
Here’s my question: anybody actually doing this (multi-Watch lifestyle)? Anybody able to tell me it’s foolish and indulgent? Anybody wear a stainless steel one to the gym?
I’ll be trying one on at an Apple Store before buying anything, but I’m curious if any of you have opinions or insights…
I did it briefly and would have kept doing it, but my wife wanted to try a Watch before buying one, so she used my old one and then ended up keeping it.
I liked having that flexibility, and for me, the models were close enough that the capabilities were largely similar.
The only caveat I would offer is that you may prefer fitness-specific capabilities on the new Watch that the 4 doesn’t support. I can’t name any off the top of my head, but there must be some.
I’ve worn a steel quartz watch to workouts. I really don’t like the feel if I’m swinging my arms much (cardio, sports), but it’s fine for traditional lifting. Maybe you could borrow someone’s to experience the weight.
I have the stainless steel Series 8, mostly because I would scratch the face of the aluminum one on a weekly basis. I don’t notice the weight of the watch when working out. Compared to not having anything on your wrist, yes, if you think about it something is there. But it is not that heavy. I would get it. You can always return it.
I have a stainless, and don’t find it burdensome when working out. I use one of the “braided solo loop” watch bands, not sure what role the band plays. Have fun at the Aplpe store!
I bought an Ultra last year. There were all kinds of posts saying that it was too heavy to sleep with.
I don’t actually notice. I’m not the Hulk by any stretch, but it’s simply not noticeable. (Bonus note: as a “mixed dominance” individual—that sounds nasty—I can switch my watch between left and right and keep my tan even. If the weight was a real issue I would not be able to do that.
Besides being “unobjectionable” it’s also great! Battery life alone, but also the other bells and whistles.
A more serious concern would be for those blessed with smaller wrists. Then, you’re going to have issues.
Give it a good try in the store and see what you think.
Hi there. I’ve been getting the stainless chassis AW’s since the Series 4 and put in solid weight lifting workouts on a regular basis. Perfectly fine for wearing to the gym and long sweaty cardio workout, they rinse and clean up just fine.
Also, as a guy nearing 50 (gulp) - I say you want to have a multi-device lifestyle in any category, you owe no one an explanation I’ve done this in the past as well - kept a stainless for work and for going out - and an aluminum for the gym and doing outdoorsy stuff.
A little different take than the others. I use an apple watch series 4 for sleep and a 7 for everything else. I have the smaller watch because I wanted the lightest one possible. If I want to look at a bigger screen I look at my iphone or iPad.
Sorry if I missed this in another post, but I recall you were holding on to that series 4 with a fading battery until the new watches came out. Did you get a new one? If so, which one. Just curious.
I have and use two. I tend to get a new watch every two years. The new one is daily use. The old on I setup for the other wrist and use it for sleep tracking.
I still have the S4 but at about 6pm I have to put it in low power mode to make it to the end of my day, but even then it sometimes dies on me. I’m not sure I can wait until next year, I may have to bite the bullet and buy another watch between now and Dec. I’ll decide between the S9 and the Ultra 2 once I’ve tried both on in the store. If there is a major, compelling upgrade to the watch in 2024, I may trade a one year old watch in for the new model, which is not something I’ve made a practice of doing.
Thanks, everyone! The Apple Store (Christiana Mall, Delaware) was a madhouse. The staff were doing everything they could, but it was pandemonium. The greeter was extremely apologetic about not being able to help me herself, but, etc etc., and when I said, “it’s OK, they’ll get to me when they get to me,” you could see relief wash over her face. She checked back and I assured her I was still fine. When a salesperson was free, she grabbed him, walked him over to me, and said to him, “spend as much time with him as he wants, because I want him to come back and teach a class on how to be a customer in our stores!” He was great, even gave a little fashion advice on the bands.
Anyway, I tried on the stainless watch and I don’t think the weight will be a problem at all, even for the larger size with my skinny wrists. The silver was “flashier” than I thought it would be, and the darker one (with milanese loop) was a lot less “Darth Vader watch” than it looked on the web site, so I think that’s what I’m going to go with. I was pressed for time with other errands and so didn’t order it in the store; I’m in no rush. The salesperson confirmed to me that ordering the watch with the milanese loop and then ordering a sport band separately would be cheaper than ordering the watch with the sport band and the loop separately.
It was also quite fun watching a young-ish guy in front of me pull out a wad of $100 bills and peel them off to buy an Ultra watch!
So I’ll keep the S4 aluminum just in case, but I don’t think I’ll feel compelled to switch to it for workouts. Maybe if I want to sleep track. Thanks to Aaron above for the affirmation about the 2-watch life! And thanks everyone for the input!
That’s my in-laws’ local Apple Store, so I’ve been in there quite a few times, and it’s never not a madhouse. I remember reading somewhere once that that particular store sells more iPhones than any other Apple Store in the US, in part because Delaware has no sales tax and in part (I suppose) because of where it’s located.
Glad the Apple Store visit worked out for you! I don’t like aluminum watches at all; they look cheap to me, and if my wife’s is any indication, they scratch very easily. I wear my stainless steel S7 every day and have had no issues with scratches, and don’t notice the weight while running, biking, or lifting weights. (Frankly, I don’t notice the weight period and I don’t think it’s heavy.)
I’ve done this in the past as well - kept a stainless for work and for going out - and an aluminum for the gym and doing outdoorsy stuff.