Samsung Health’s New Galaxy Watch Workout Controls Explained

Lesson 01

Lesson One: Notice What Has Changed

The first thing I noticed was the updated Samsung Health workout screen. The layout looks different from the previous design, so existing Samsung Watch users may need a short amount of time to become familiar with the new controls.

A redesigned screen can sometimes make a familiar feature feel less comfortable at first. This is especially true during exercise, because you usually do not want to stop and study every button. You want to see the basic information, make a quick adjustment and continue moving.

The new design is useful because it places more attention on the physical button at the bottom of the watch. Rather than relying only on touchscreen controls, the workout can now be managed with a simple press or a longer hold.

Here is the new Samsung Health screen that appeared during the workout:

The exact appearance may vary depending on the Samsung Watch model, software version and the Samsung Health update installed on the device. However, the main idea remains practical. The watch gives you a faster way to control the workout without searching through additional options.

Key insight: A good fitness interface should reduce the number of decisions you need to make while exercising. Moving the pause and finish actions to a physical button helps keep the process simple.

Why a small design change matters

It may seem like a minor update, but workout controls are important because they are used when your hands may be wet, your attention may be elsewhere or your movement may be uneven. A touch screen is not always the easiest interface to use during a run.

During normal daily use, opening a menu and choosing an option may not feel like a problem. During a workout, it can be inconvenient. You may be running near traffic, climbing stairs, carrying something or trying to keep your pace. A physical button offers a more direct way to interact with the watch.

The improvement is also useful when the screen is affected by rain or moisture. A wet screen can sometimes register an unwanted touch or fail to respond as expected. Using the lower button reduces the need to swipe across the display.

• The screen shows the workout information.
• A short press of the lower button pauses the workout.
• Another short press resumes the workout.
• A longer press finishes the workout.

That is the main control pattern to remember. There are no complicated steps in the basic process.

Lesson 02

Lesson Two: Use Water Lock Before Exercising in the Rain

When I tested the new control, I was running in the rain. Before continuing, I removed water lock from the watch so I could demonstrate the button action. Water lock is useful when you want to prevent accidental touches from water or contact with the screen.

If you are running in wet conditions, water lock can help protect the workout from unwanted screen activity. Raindrops may interact with the display, especially when the watch face is exposed for a long period. Sweat and wet clothing can create a similar problem.

Water lock is not designed to make the watch waterproof in every situation. You should still follow the water resistance instructions for your particular model. It is better to treat water lock as a screen control feature rather than as extra protection for the hardware.

The practical routine is straightforward:

1. Start the workout before heading outside.
2. Check that the workout information is recording.
3. Turn on water lock if the conditions are wet.
4. Use the physical button when you need to pause or finish.
5. Turn off water lock when you are ready to use the touch screen again.

Depending on the watch model and software version, the method for enabling or disabling water lock may be different. The important point is to prepare the watch before the workout becomes difficult to manage.

Water lock and the lower button

There is a useful difference between controlling the watch through the screen and controlling it through the button. Water lock limits touch interaction, but the physical button remains available for important workout actions.

This makes the button especially valuable in wet conditions. You do not need to dry your finger, wipe the screen or try to make a precise swipe while continuing to run. You can use the button with a deliberate press instead.

That does not mean you should press the button repeatedly without checking the result. When running, it is still possible to press too quickly or hold the button for longer than intended. It is worth practising the difference between a short press and a hold before relying on the feature outdoors.

Recall cue: Wet conditions usually make touch controls less convenient. Prepare with water lock, then use the lower button for the main workout actions.

Lesson 03

Lesson Three: Pause and Resume with a Short Press

The most useful action in the new design is the short press. Press the lower button once and the workout pauses. Press it again and the workout resumes.

This is helpful when something interrupts your activity. You may need to wait at a crossing, adjust your shoes, speak with someone or take a short rest. Pausing the workout gives you a better record than allowing the timer to continue while you are not moving.

Previously, the process was less direct. You had to press the button and then select the option to finish the workout. The new design changes the interaction by giving the lower button a clearer role during an active session.

The pause action can also be useful when you need to stop briefly but do not want to end the workout. That distinction is important. A pause keeps the session available so you can continue. Finishing the workout closes the active session and moves you towards the workout summary.

The table is simple, but it is worth remembering the difference between pressing and holding. A short press is for a temporary interruption. A hold is for ending the session.

When to pause a workout

There are many normal situations where pausing is better than finishing. For example, you may reach a busy road and need to wait for a safe opportunity to cross. You may also stop to retie a shoelace, change your route or check an important notification.

For short interruptions, pausing keeps the workout organised. It separates the time you spent exercising from the time spent dealing with the interruption. This can make the final workout data easier to understand.

However, you do not need to pause every time you slow down. A brief change in pace is part of most workouts. The pause control is most useful when you have stopped exercising and expect to continue shortly.

• Pause when you stop for a clear reason.
• Resume when you are ready to move again.
• Do not use pause for every small change in speed.
• Check the screen after pressing so you know the watch accepted the action.

That last point is important. A button press should be deliberate, but the watch should still be given a moment to respond. If you are wearing gloves or moving quickly, confirm that the workout status changed before continuing.

Lesson 04

Lesson Four: Finish the Workout with a Hold

The second major change is the ability to finish the workout by holding the lower button. This is different from the short press, which pauses or resumes the session.

When you have reached the end of your run, hold the button instead of pressing it once. The workout then finishes without requiring you to open a separate menu and select the finish option.

This is the part of the feature that I like most. Previously, pressing the button only took you to another action or required another selection. The extra step was not difficult, but it was unnecessary when you had already decided to stop.

A hold gives the button a clear finishing function. It also creates a useful level of protection against accidentally ending the workout. A short press can pause the session, while a longer action is needed to finish it.

Here is the basic finishing routine:

1. Complete the planned workout.
2. Slow down or stop in a safe place.
3. Press and hold the lower button.
4. Wait for the workout to finish.
5. Review the workout summary.

Try not to use the finish action while you are still moving through a busy area. It is better to stop safely, look at the watch and make sure you intend to close the session.

The hold action also helps reduce accidental finishes. If the workout ended after a single light press, it would be easier to close a session by mistake. Requiring a longer press gives you a moment to recognise what you are doing.

Pressing and holding versus selecting an option

The older method required more attention. You pressed the button, looked for the finish command and selected it. That approach may be familiar, but it uses more steps and more screen interaction.

The new method is easier to remember because the actions match the intention. A quick press means a temporary change. A hold means the workout is over.

It is a small example of good interface design. The software does not need to show every possible command on the screen. Instead, it can use the physical behaviour of the button to make the process faster.

There is still a learning period. If you are used to pressing the button and then looking for a finish command, you may initially pause the workout when you meant to finish it. The solution is to practise the hold action when you are not in a hurry.

Lesson 05

Lesson Five: Practise the Button Actions Before a Serious Workout

The best way to understand the feature is to practise it when there is no pressure. Start a short test workout in a safe place. You do not need to run for a long time. The purpose is to learn how the button responds.

First, press the lower button once. Look at the screen and confirm that the workout has paused. Press it again and check that recording has resumed. Then hold the button and confirm that the session finishes.

This test gives you confidence before using the feature during a longer run. It also helps you understand the amount of pressure and time required for a hold. The action should not require force. It is the length of the press that matters.

A simple practice session could look like this:

• Start a walking workout.
• Walk for one minute.
• Press the lower button once.
• Wait and check that the workout is paused.
• Press the button again.
• Walk for another minute.
• Hold the button and check that the session has ended.

Do this once or twice and the control pattern should become familiar. Practising indoors also lets you test the feature without rain, traffic or other distractions.

Memory aid: Short press means stop for now. Short press again means continue. Hold means finish.

Lesson 06

Lesson Six: Check the Workout Status Before You Move On

One habit that makes any fitness watch easier to use is checking the workout status after an action. After pressing the lower button, look for a clear indication that the session is paused or active.

This is especially important when you are tired or distracted. A button press may not register exactly as expected if your finger is wet, the watch has moved on your wrist or the action was too brief. A quick visual check can prevent missing data.

When finishing a workout, wait for the watch to display the summary or another clear sign that the session has ended. Do not immediately start another activity or remove the watch before the process is complete.

The summary may include information such as duration, distance, pace, heart rate and calories, depending on the activity and device. If the workout is important to you, take a moment to review the data before leaving the screen.

A practical status checklist

• Is the workout currently active?
• Did the short press pause the session?
• Did the second short press resume recording?
• Did the hold finish the workout?
• Has the workout summary appeared?
• Is water lock still enabled?

The final question matters if you have finished exercising in wet conditions. Water lock may remain active until you turn it off through the watch controls. Once you are indoors and ready to use the touchscreen, disable it according to the instructions for your watch.

Lesson 07

What the New Design Does Well

The updated Samsung Health workout design focuses on reducing effort at the moment when you need the watch most. The change does not add a large number of new settings. Instead, it improves one regular task by making the physical button more useful.

The design works well for several reasons.

It reduces screen interaction

During exercise, touching a small screen can be inconvenient. A physical button is easier to locate by feel, particularly when the watch is on the wrist of your moving arm.

It separates pause from finish

The different actions are easy to understand once practised. A short press pauses or resumes. A hold finishes. This creates a clear distinction between a temporary stop and the end of the activity.

It works well with wet conditions

Rain and sweat can make the display less convenient to use. With water lock enabled, the button provides a practical way to control the workout without depending on touch gestures.

It removes an unnecessary menu step

The previous process involved selecting the finish workout option after pressing the button. The new action is more direct and better suited to a quick end to a workout.

Lesson 08

Questions You May Have

Does a short press finish the workout?

No. A short press pauses the workout when it is active. If the workout is already paused, another short press resumes it. To finish the workout, hold the lower button.

Can I use the feature while water lock is enabled?

The physical button is intended to remain useful when touch interaction is limited by water lock. The exact behaviour can depend on the watch model and software version, so test it before relying on it during an important workout.

What happens if I press the button by mistake?

A short accidental press should pause the workout rather than finish it. Look at the watch and press the button again if you want to resume. The longer hold required to finish provides an extra layer of protection against ending the session accidentally.

Do I need to change a setting?

The feature described here appears as part of the updated Samsung Health workout experience. You may not need to assign the button manually, but the available behaviour can vary between watch models and software versions.

Should I practise before running outdoors?

Yes. A short test while walking or standing lets you learn the difference between a press and a hold. It is better to become familiar with the action before using it in rain, traffic or during a demanding workout.

Lesson 09

Making the New Workout Controls Part of Your Routine

The redesigned Samsung Health workout screen is easier to use once the new button actions become familiar. The important change is not simply where a control appears. It changes the way you interact with the watch while your attention is on the road, the track, the gym equipment or your own breathing. These short lessons are designed to help you build that habit without needing to stop for a long explanation during a real workout.

Lesson two: check what the watch is showing

Physical buttons make the controls faster, but the display still provides useful confirmation. After a short press, look for the paused or resumed status before continuing. This is particularly important when you are moving quickly and cannot remember whether your press registered.

A paused workout should remain visibly paused. A resumed workout should return to the active workout screen and continue recording. If the screen does not appear to change, wait a moment and check again rather than pressing repeatedly.

Repeated presses can create confusion. You may pause the workout and immediately resume it without realising what happened. The best habit is to press once, glance at the display and then continue.

The updated layout may look different from the screen you used previously. Give yourself time to identify the main information, including the activity type, elapsed time, current measurement and workout status. You do not need to memorise every part of the interface. Focus first on recognising whether the workout is active, paused or finished.

Lesson four: finish only when the activity is complete

Pressing and holding the lower button is the action to use when the workout is over. It is deliberately different from a short press so that a brief accidental touch should not end the entire session.

When you finish, remain still for a moment and allow the watch to display the workout summary. Depending on your watch model and software version, the summary may include information such as:

• Total duration
• Distance
• Average pace
• Heart rate information
• Calories
• Elevation or route details
• Training zones

The available information depends on the activity, sensors, permissions and Samsung Health settings. Some activities provide more data than others, so a cycling session may show different information from a strength workout.

Do not rush away immediately after holding the button. Confirm that the workout has ended and that the summary screen is visible. This gives you confidence that the session has been saved before you remove the watch or open another app.

The summary screen is also a useful point to check whether the recorded duration looks sensible. If you expected a thirty minute session but the watch shows only a few minutes, that may indicate the workout was paused or stopped earlier than you intended.

Lesson five: understand what Water Lock does

Water Lock can be helpful when you are swimming, washing your hands or exercising in heavy rain. It reduces unwanted touchscreen interaction by limiting normal touch input while the feature is active.

The physical button remains useful because it does not depend on a dry fingertip or a responsive touch surface. That makes the new control method practical in situations where the display is wet or difficult to operate.

Water Lock does not create extra waterproofing. It is a software feature that helps prevent accidental touches. Your watch still has its own water resistance limits, and those limits vary by model. Follow Samsung’s instructions for your particular watch and avoid treating Water Lock as permission to use the device in conditions outside its rating.

After leaving water, dry the watch and your wrist carefully. If the screen is still wet, allow it to dry before attempting detailed navigation. The button can help with immediate workout control, but it does not replace sensible care of the device.

This is one of the clearest advantages of separating workout controls from touchscreen menus. You can keep the interaction simple even when the display is not ideal. A short press can manage a temporary pause, while a deliberate hold can finish the session.

Lesson 10

A Simple Workout Control Routine

Once the button actions are familiar, you can use a repeatable routine for almost any workout. The routine keeps the process practical and removes unnecessary screen navigation.

This routine is simple enough to remember while running, walking or training at the gym. It also reduces the temptation to swipe through several pages while your heart rate is elevated.

Lesson 11

How the New Design Compares with the Older Method

The older approach generally required more interaction with the screen. You might have needed to wake the display, locate the workout controls, select a pause option and then find another control to finish the session. That process was manageable in calm conditions, but it became less convenient when your hands were wet, your gloves were on or your attention was elsewhere.

The main benefit is not that every interaction becomes faster by a large amount. The benefit is consistency. You have one clear action for a temporary pause and another clear action for completing the workout.

That separation is especially useful for people who train outdoors. A touchscreen can be difficult to control when rain is falling, when sweat is on the display or when a person is wearing a jacket with limited finger movement. A button gives you a more direct point of contact.

Lesson 12

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Lesson 13

Quick Checks Before You Rely on It Outdoors

A short preparation check can prevent frustration during an important run or ride. Complete these checks after a major software update or whenever you change workout types.

• Can you identify the lower physical button without looking closely?
• Do you know which action pauses the workout?
• Do you know which action finishes the workout?
• Can you recognise the paused status on the screen?
• Have you tested the controls with your usual clothing or gloves?
• Do you understand whether Water Lock is suitable for the activity?
• Have you checked the watch’s water resistance guidance?
• Is the watch fitted securely enough to record heart rate?

Testing with your actual clothing is worthwhile. A button can feel different when you are wearing a thick jacket, rain gloves or a wrist warmer. Practise pressing through the same conditions you expect to face outdoors.

Lesson 14

What to Practise Next

The most useful next step is to complete one short test workout using only the physical button for pausing, resuming and finishing. Do not worry about achieving a particular distance or pace. Concentrate on the sequence and the confirmation shown on the watch.

After that, try the same routine outdoors during an ordinary walk. Once the action feels natural, use it during a longer run, a wet weather session or any workout where touchscreen control is inconvenient. The goal is not to spend more time managing the watch. It is to make the watch quietly support the activity you are already doing.

Key takeaway: Use a short press to manage the workout while it continues, and use a press and hold only when the workout is genuinely finished.

The new Samsung Health design may take a little adjustment, but the control method is straightforward once you practise it. A small amount of preparation should make pausing, resuming and finishing feel more dependable across everyday workouts.

Lesson 15

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pause or resume a workout on the updated Samsung Health app?

Press the lower button on your Samsung Watch once to pause the workout. Press it again to resume.

How do I finish a workout?

Press and hold the lower button to finish the workout. Take care to distinguish a longer hold from a short press, which pauses or resumes the session.

Can I use the lower button when Water Lock is enabled?

Yes. Water Lock limits touch interaction to help prevent accidental screen activity, while the physical lower button remains available for key workout controls.

Why are the new workout controls useful in wet conditions?

Rain, sweat and moisture can make touchscreens less convenient or cause unwanted touches. Using the lower button lets you pause, resume or finish a workout without swiping across the screen.

Does Water Lock make my Samsung Watch completely waterproof?

No. Water Lock is primarily a screen-control feature and does not provide extra protection for the hardware. Always follow the water-resistance guidance for your specific Samsung Watch model.