Interval Training Support not available on Galaxy Watch series devices

[digitaldementia]

My current devices are Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, and Galaxy Watch 6. I have other training devices including Garmin Mach D2 and Polar Vantage. I need robust training options that include interval configurations. After updating to the latest available Samsung Health, I started working with the routine configuration and noticed there are still needless limitations on duration targets that could used for robust interval designs.

I think duration targets on exercises should not be limited by what seems to be arbitrary configurations. If I want 5 second or 500 second duration targets for exercises, that should be up to me and my desire for pain. Most interval training works like the following:

Rounds: Any number, such as 4

Start Round

1. Work Interval (Any exercise type) --> Seconds to Minutes

2. Rest Interval --> Seconds to Minutes

End Round

Another configuration could look like:

Rounds: Any number, such as 8

Start Round

1. Work Interval (Any Exercise 1) --> Seconds to Minutes

2. Rest Interval --> Seconds to Minutes

3. Work Interval (Any Exercise 2) --> Seconds to Minutes

4. Rest Interval --> Seconds to minutes.

End Round

Work and rest intervals need not be uniform. Options like traditional Tabata and HIIT follow a uniform 20sec/10sec work/rest and 40sec/20sec work/rest configurations. I think providing these configurations out of the box would appeal to a lot of users.

The other devices I own do not have LTE which is why I have owned Samsung and other LTE wearables. I see an opportunity to use less devices if I can configure interval training on my Samsung devices. If this doesn't exist or there will not be plans for it, are there exposed developer APIs I can use to build things myself? The requirements missing that I need are:

1. Intervals listed above.
2. Robust BLE to equipment communication, such as my Stages Sb20 Smart Bike (Stages exposes their BLE for integration). I have used the BLE options currently available and it is severely lacking in data collection metrics as well as device communication.

Regards,

Iran

Update June 22, 2025:

 I've moved back to Garmin watches and Garmin connect full-time. No satisfactory feature updates and annoying bugs (like missing interval barriers altogether). Google announced Health Connect support for Garmin coming June 2025. 

[userwtr9DE1qPo]

Yeah it is ridiculous there isn't rest set timers...

[Members_ZhZ0BtF]

Dear Samsung.

I 've been loving the Galaxy Watch I purchased from you. I would like to request a feature. I would like to have the possibility of setting workouts with less than 30 seg in Running, or maybe better also in Circuit training.  For example, I would like to use as a Tabata timer (or HIIT timer) with 20 seconds of exercise and 10 seconds of rest, and decide how many repetitions.

Currently the shortest interval currently is 30 seconds, almost there!!! just offer 10 and 20 seconds, please!

You would make me very happy if this feature is available. 

All the best,

[Samsung_Moderator]

We appreciate your feedback and will tag it on the forum so that it will appear with other feedback, ideas, and requests. This will allow your post to be more easily found in the event that Samsung product groups are seeking outside feedback/requests/ideas regarding our products.

[ElCoderDeLisp]

Hi!

I'm currently using the built-in running app on my Galaxy Watch 4, but I find the interval options quite limited. I can't set different time durations for each interval, and there's no option to set specific targets, like minimum/maximum speed or heart rate for each interval.

I'm looking for a standalone app for the Galaxy Watch 4 that allows me to:

1. Create intervals with varying durations and parameters (e.g., 5 rounds of 5 minutes of fast running with 1 minute of slow running, followed by 3 intervals of 10 minutes fast and 2 minutes slow).

2. Set interval conditions like minimum/maximum heart rate, pace, or cadence, with watch notifications if these conditions are exceeded.

3. Use the app independently, without needing to connect to a phone.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

[realaud · Accepted solution]

I see you can do custom times and intervals for runs in the health app. Go to the exercise in question and then tap the + and select add new routine. Tap the first exercise, add your duration, click done then add the second interval and duration. The breaks populate automatically, and default to manual. Tap the break and select the time and change it to the duration you want that break to be. Move the slider to off on "apply to all breaks". Repeat for as many intervals as you want, adjusting the durations and break times til your routine is complete (see example), then save it and add to your favorites. On the watch, tap the exercise and go to it's settings, then choose the data you want to see on your data screen and make sure the sliders for the HR monitor is on.