Google Health detects 100 workout types in 5.11 update

Google Health version 5.11 now identifies 100 distinct types of physical activity, a tenfold increase from the previous limit of 10. The update is currently live for Fitbit Air and Pixel Watch 3, 4, and 5 owners, with Fitbit Edge devices scheduled to receive the feature on October 27.

The new detection system uses contextual reasoning to analyze user routines, historical data, and manual edits. Google states that this approach makes activity detection nearly twice as accurate and reduces missed workouts by more than half. Sessions lasting at least 15 minutes with a sustained elevated heart rate are logged automatically. A summary usually appears in the app within 30 minutes, and the system refines its predictions when users confirm or adjust an entry.

Google Health Premium subscribers with a Fitbit Air or Fitbit Edge can access two new Health Guardian features. Blood pressure trends are designed to help users monitor patterns that may impact heart health. These reports will be available to users who wore a Fitbit Air for five or more consecutive days in October. Insulin resistance trends, which track monthly changes in metabolic health, will be provided to those who wore their device for seven or more days and nights during the month. Initial reports for both features are expected at the start of November.

The update also includes changes to glucose tracking and sleep data. The app renames the Blood glucose section to Glucose and adds updated charts. Users can set custom time-in-range goals for data from connected continuous glucose monitors. In the United States, Lingo by Abbott can now connect directly to the app, allowing glucose readings to appear within 30 minutes. Premium members can also ask the Google Health Coach questions about their glucose trends.

Sleep tracking has been adjusted to better capture short awakenings by incorporating step data. Users can also delete naps that do not align with their daily routine directly from the nap card. The 5.11 version is available on iOS and is currently rolling out to Android devices.