Google Health 5.11 expands workout logging to 100 types

Fitbit Air and Pixel Watch owners will see fewer missed workouts starting this week. Google is releasing version 5.11 of its Health app, which doubles the number of automatically detected activities from 10 to 100. The update targets users who find manual logging tedious, aiming to capture strength training, swimming, and team sports without user input.

The company states that the new detection system uses contextual reasoning to analyze workout routines and historical data. Google claims this approach makes detections nearly twice as accurate and reduces missed logs by more than half. The system requires a session to meet a 15-minute minimum duration and show a sustained elevated heart rate before logging it automatically. A summary typically appears in the app within 30 minutes of the session ending.

For subscribers to Google Health Premium, the update includes two new Health Guardian features for Fitbit Air and Fitbit Edge owners. Users can now set up tracking for blood pressure trends and insulin resistance trends. The first reports for these metrics are scheduled for early November. Blood pressure trends will be available to users who wore a Fitbit Air for at least five consecutive days in October. Insulin resistance trends require the device to be worn for seven or more days and nights during the month.

The app also updates glucose tracking for continuous monitor users. The label 'Blood glucose' has been changed to 'Glucose' across the interface. Users can set custom time-in-range goals by navigating to the Metabolic section and selecting Glucose settings. In the United States, Lingo by Abbott devices can now connect directly to the app, with readings appearing within 30 minutes. Premium members can also ask the Health Coach about their glucose trends through the Partner Apps menu.

Sleep tracking has been adjusted to better handle short interruptions. The system now incorporates step data to identify brief awakenings, such as trips to the bathroom, rather than categorizing them as full sleep cycles. Users can also remove naps that do not align with their typical day directly from the nap card.

The Fitbit Edge will receive the activity detection update when the device launches on October 27. The Pixel Watch 3, 4, and 5 are already supported. Version 5.11 is currently available on iOS and is still rolling out to Android devices.