If you're tired of seeing effort ratings on your Apple Watch after every workout, you're not alone. Many users find these summaries unnecessary or distracting. Fortunately, disabling them is straightforward, though the option is somewhat hidden. In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to turn off effort ratings on your Apple Watch.
What Are Effort Ratings on Apple Watch?
Effort ratings are a relatively new feature that provides a summary of how intense your workout was. The watch uses metrics like heart rate and pace to estimate whether you exercised lightly or vigorously. These ratings appear after you finish a workout, but not everyone finds them useful.
Some users prefer to focus on other metrics or simply don't want the extra information cluttering their workout summaries. If that sounds like you, here's how to disable them.

How to Disable Effort Ratings
To turn off effort ratings, you'll need to adjust your workout settings on the watch itself. The process is quick and can be done in a few steps.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
2. Scroll down and tap Workout.
3. Find the Effort Ratings option and toggle it off.
That's it! Once disabled, you won't see effort ratings after your workouts. If you change your mind later, you can always turn them back on using the same steps.
Why You Might Want to Disable Effort Ratings
There are several reasons why someone might choose to disable effort ratings. For some, the ratings can be inaccurate or not align with how they feel. Others simply prefer a cleaner workout summary without extra data.
Additionally, if you're using your Apple Watch for specific training goals, you might find other metrics more relevant. Disabling effort ratings can help streamline your post-workout experience.
Other Workout Settings You Can Customize
While you're in the Workout settings, you might want to explore other options to tailor your experience. For example, you can adjust which metrics appear during your workouts, set up alerts, and more. The background to this story is set out in Apple Watch Ultra 4 Review: The Best Apple Watch for Training. A related thread runs through Apple's Whoop Rival: A Screenless Apple Watch for Health Tracking. Earlier coverage in Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: Key Differences shows how the argument developed.
- Workout Views: Choose which metrics to display during your workout.
- Alerts: Set pace, heart rate, and other alerts.
- Auto-Pause: Enable or disable automatic pausing during running or cycling.
- Voice Feedback: Turn on or off spoken updates during workouts.
Comparison of Effort Ratings vs. Other Metrics
Effort ratings are just one of many metrics your Apple Watch provides. Here's how they compare to other common workout metrics: A closer look at the same subject appears in Prime Day Smartwatch Deals: Apple Watch, Garmin, Xiaomi. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Apple Watch Series 12 vs Galaxy Watch9 vs Huawei GT 7 Pro. The same theme surfaces in Apple Watch Series 10 Refurbished: Save Big on Back Market, which takes a different angle.
| Metric | Description | Usefulness |
|---|---|---|
| Effort Rating | Estimates workout intensity based on heart rate and other data | Subjective; may not be accurate for everyone |
| Heart Rate | Measures beats per minute | Objective; useful for tracking intensity |
| Active Calories | Estimates calories burned during activity | Useful for weight management |
| Pace | Speed during running or walking | Essential for performance tracking |
As you can see, effort ratings are more subjective and may not be as critical as other metrics. Disabling them won't affect your ability to track your fitness progress. Context on how this played out before sits in MediaMarkt Outlet: Save Big on New iPhone, AirPods & Apple Watch. A companion piece, MediaMarkt Oktubre Campaign: Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Kindle Deals, approaches the same subject from another angle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable effort ratings for specific workouts only?
No, the setting applies to all workouts. Once you turn off effort ratings, they won't appear after any workout.
Will disabling effort ratings affect my workout data?
No, disabling effort ratings only hides the summary. All other workout data, such as heart rate and calories, will still be recorded and available in the Fitness app.
Can I turn effort ratings back on later?
Yes, you can re-enable effort ratings at any time by following the same steps and toggling the option back on.
Why don't I see the Effort Ratings option in Settings?
Make sure your Apple Watch is running the latest watchOS version. If you still don't see it, try restarting your watch or checking for software updates.
Effort ratings are a handy feature for some, but not for everyone. With this guide, you can easily disable them and enjoy a more personalized workout experience. If you have other questions about your Apple Watch, feel free to reach out to our community or consult Apple's support resources.