Health & Fitness

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Explore the technical aspects of health and fitness features, including sensor data acquisition, health data processing, and integration with the HealthKit framework.

Health & Fitness Documentation

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Perfect month award fitness app on iPhone
Hi! I have over 800 days strike in closing my move circle. However oerfect month badge is not popping up for November, we have now mid of Dec and still no update. I updated iOS to 26, did multiple resets and hard resets and still no badge. I checked many forums and post but any of given tips is working in my case. i know it sounds funny, but it’s frustrating that I’m not getting this little gold medal to keep me motivated 😅 does anyone know how to deal with it? Is it common issue?
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97
Dec ’25
How to monitor heart rate in background without affecting Activity Rings?
I'm developing a watchOS nap app that detects when the user falls asleep by monitoring heart rate changes. == Technical Implementation == HKWorkoutSession (.mindAndBody) for background execution HKAnchoredObjectQuery for real-time heart rate data CoreMotion for movement detection == Battery Considerations == Heart rate monitoring ONLY active when user explicitly starts a session Monitoring continues until user is awakened OR 60-minute limit is reached If no sleep detected within 60 minutes, session auto-ends (user may have abandoned or forgotten to stop) App displays clear UI indicating monitoring is active Typical session: 15-30 minutes, keeping battery usage minimal == The Problem == HKWorkoutSession affects Activity Rings during the session. Users receive "Exercise goal reached" notifications while resting — confusing. == What I've Tried == Not using HKLiveWorkoutBuilder → Activity Rings still affected Using builder but not calling finishWorkout() (per https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/780220) → Activity Rings still affected WKExtendedRuntimeSession (self-care type) (per https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/721077) → Only ~10 min runtime, need up to 60 min HKObserverQuery + enableBackgroundDelivery (per https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/779101) → ~4 updates/hour, too slow for real-time detection Audio background session for continuous processing (suggested in https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/130287) → Concerned about App Store rejection for non-audio app; if official approves this technical route, I can implement in this direction Some online resources mention "Health Monitoring Entitlement" from WWDC 2019 Session 251, but I could not find any official documentation for this entitlement. Apple Developer Support also confirmed they cannot locate it? == My Question == Is there any supported way to: Monitor heart rate in background for up to 60 minutes WITHOUT affecting Activity Rings or creating workout records? If this requires a special entitlement or API access, please advise on the application process. Or allow me to submit a code-level support request. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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147
Dec ’25
Treadmill integration and weighted vest with HealthKit
I don't understand why elevation data is not stored in the sample using a standard length unit. Why is it stored in HKQuantityTypeIdentifier.flightsClimbed (which is 10 feet)? Surely it is not a memory usage issue. Treadmill GATT provides elevation in meters. Using HKMetadataKeyElevationAscended for the total elevation gain throws away a lot of data. Why is there no support for weighted vest or backpack? Changing body weight is not the same and provides incorrect energy. Users want to compare workouts with different weights. I don't see any metadata key for carried weight.
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1w
HKObserverQuery not working in background
I'm developing a single target watchOS app that obtains HealthKit information. I have the "Background Delivery" option checked under "Signing & Capabilities" for the watch target. The app does HKObserverQueries in the foreground that work as I would expect. But when I click the Digital Crown to return to clock face, the HKObserverQuery activity stops. I'm using Xcode 15.4, on Mac 14.5 and a Apple Watch Series 4 running 10.5.
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829
Mar ’25
HealthKit returns different values depending on the OS the request is made on
Hi, I've had trouble for a while now with HealthKit giving me different values if I make the request on iOS and WatchOS. I am using the exact same method on both with the same parameters but I get vast differences in the results. The code I am using to call HealthKit on both devices is: let dateRange = HKQuery.predicateForSamples(withStart: Date().removeMonths(numberOfMonths: 1), end: Date().endOfDay()) let predicate: NSPredicate predicate = NSCompoundPredicate(type: .and, subpredicates: [dateRange]) let query = HKStatisticsQuery(quantityType: HKQuantityType(.stepCount), quantitySamplePredicate: predicate, options: .cumulativeSum) { _, result, error in if error != nil { //print("Error fetching step count, or there is no data: \(error.localizedDescription), \(startDate) -> \(endDate)") onComplete(0) return } if let result, let sum = result.sumQuantity() { let stepCount = sum.doubleValue(for: HKUnit.count()) DispatchQueue.main.async { onComplete(Int(stepCount)) } } } healthStore.execute(query) }
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1.1k
Jun ’25
Location of indoor workouts
In the fitness app under iOS 18, the location of all workouts is displayed on a small map. For workouts with routes, I can already successfully read out the route and thus also determine the starting point. So that works. For indoor workouts such as yoga or indoor rowing, the exact location is also displayed in the fitness app. I would now also like to read out this location for these indoor workouts in my app. Does anyone know how to do this?
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840
Apr ’25
App's domain being blocked/rerouted by Apple
I have a strange situation and I'm not sure where else to post this. Our app's domain (or at least its API hostname in the domain) resolves to something different only inside of Apple's network. I was able to get an Apple employee to verify this by resolving the API hostname while on Apple's corporate network and it resolves to an IP that is in Apple's 17.0.0.0/8 network, but everywhere else resolves to the normal IPs. Our domain's DNS is provided by Cloudflare and they are not doing anything special for Apple's network. This is causing problems during App Review because the app is trying to reach our API to log in and instead is being routed to an IP in Apple's network, so it fails SSL validation and presents an error dialog. App Review is then claiming our app doesn't work and rejecting it. This is an app that has been in the App Store for over a decade and gone through countless app reviews. App Review was of no help resolving this and I don't know where else to turn. How can I find out why our domain is being rerouted inside of Apple and get this fixed?
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576
Feb ’25
HealthKit: Seeking Guidance on Continuous, Near Real-Time Heart Rate Data Conitnously in IOS Application
Dear Apple Developer Support, I am writing to request assistance with an ongoing issue I'm encountering while developing an iOS application that utilizes HealthKit to fetch heart rate data. My goal is to display near real-time heart rate updates continuously same as displaying in the Apple Watch , I want to show in the iPhone Mobile Application for fitness related. I have implemented the following approaches: HKSampleQuery with a Timer: I've set up a timer to periodically fetch the latest heart rate data. Despite these efforts, I'm consistently facing the following problems: Delayed Updates: The heart rate data displayed in the app often doesn't reflect the current heart rate being measured by the Apple Watch. There seems to be a significant synchronization delay. Inconsistent Background Updates: Background updates, even with background app refresh enabled, are not reliable. The app often only updates when brought to the foreground or after being killed and relaunched. Entitlements: The com.apple.developer.healthkit.background-delivery entitlement error is missing. I have thoroughly reviewed Apple's HealthKit documentation, implemented best practices for HealthKit integration, and verified that all necessary permissions are properly configured. I understand that HealthKit may not be designed for true real-time data, but the current level of delay and inconsistency is making it difficult to provide a useful user experience. Could you please provide guidance on whether achieving near real-time heart rate updates continuously in an iOS app using HealthKit is possible? If so, what are the recommended strategies and best practices to overcome these limitations? I have also tested the application on physical devices with Apple Watch, enabled background app refresh, granted permissions, and referred to HealthKit documentation. I would appreciate any insights or suggestions you can offer to help resolve this issue. Thank you for your time and assistance. Sincerely, Venu Madhav
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773
Feb ’25
Is it possible to provide an interface for real-time sleep status monitoring
Apple Watch automatically tracks sleep data and syncs it to the iPhone, making it available through HealthKit for historical analysis. However, there is no way to retrieve real-time data on whether a user has entered sleep, or whether they are in a specific sleep stage at any given moment. Is it possible to provide an interface for real-time sleep status monitoring
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618
Feb ’25
Integrating Apple Fitness+ Workouts – How to Retrieve Metadata?
Platform & Version: iOS Version: 18.3.1 Development Environment: Xcode 16.2, macOS 14.6.1 Description of the Issue: We're exploring ways to better integrate Apple Fitness+ workouts into our app. We've noticed that some third-party apps, such as Strava and HealthFit, now display Fitness+ workout details, including the title, trainer, and an image. I’ve been investigating how this is possible, and the only relevant change I’ve found is that HKMetadataKeyAppleFitnessPlusCatalogIdentifier is now being set for Fitness+ workouts. However, I can’t find any public API or official documentation that explains how to use these identifiers to retrieve the associated workout details. Question: Is there an official API available to fetch metadata for Fitness+ workouts using these identifiers? Or are these third-party apps potentially accessing private APIs? If no API exists, is the only option to create a manual mapping of these identifiers—something that seems impractical given the constantly evolving Fitness+ workout catalog? Any guidance on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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693
Feb ’25
How to Save Heart Rate in HKCategoryTypeIdentifier.mindfulSession
I’m trying to associate heart rate (HR) data with a mindfulness session (HKCategoryTypeIdentifier.mindfulSession) in HealthKit, but I can’t find any documentation on how to do this. I’ve seen third-party apps (like Medito) successfully log HR within Mindful Minutes, even when the session takes place on an iPhone (not an Apple Watch). However, when I try saving HR in the metadata, it does not appear in the Health app's Mindful Minutes section. Code snippet: func logMindfulnessSession(start: Bool, heartRate: Double? = nil) { let mindfulType = HKCategoryType.categoryType(forIdentifier: .mindfulSession)! let now = Date() let endTime = now.addingTimeInterval(Double(selectedDuration)) var metadata: [String: Any]? = nil if let hr = heartRate { let heartRateUnit = HKUnit.count().unitDivided(by: HKUnit.minute()) let hrQuantity = HKQuantity(unit: heartRateUnit, doubleValue: hr) metadata = ["heartRate": hrQuantity] // ❓ Is there a correct key for HR? } let sample = HKCategorySample( type: mindfulType, value: 0, start: now, end: endTime, metadata: metadata ) healthStore.save(sample) { success, error in if let error = error { print("HealthKit session save error: \(error.localizedDescription)") } else { print("Mindfulness session saved successfully.") if let hr = heartRate { print("Saved with HR: \(hr) BPM") } } } } Questions: What is the correct metadata key for associating heart rate with a mindful session? Does HealthKit require a specific format (e.g., HKQuantitySample) for HR? 0 Are there additional permissions needed to allow HR to appear in Mindful Minutes? Does HR need to be stored separately in HKQuantityTypeIdentifier.heartRate, and if so, how do third-party apps ensure it appears in the same entry as the mindful session? thank you!
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Mar ’25
Healthstore read only in objective-C ?
I have an App in objective-c that is using Health data (walk/run, cycling) to give advice to users . I do not want/need to write any data in the Healtkit. If i do (with the 3 values in the plist / .info : self.healthStore requestAuthorizationToShareTypes:nil readTypes:readDataTypes My request crashes. *** Terminating app due to uncaught exception 'NSInvalidArgumentException', reason: 'Must request authorization for at least one data type' *** First throw call stack: ( 0 CoreFoundation 0x00000001804b910c __exceptionPreprocess + 172 1 libobjc.A.dylib 0x0000000180092da8 objc_exception_throw + 72 2 CoreFoundation 0x00000001804b901c -[NSException initWithCoder:] + 0 3 HealthKit 0x000000019da034d4 -[HKHealthStore _validateAuthorizationRequestWithShareTypes:readTypes:] + 92 4 HealthKit 0x000000019da03670 -[HKHealthStore requestAuthorizationToShareTypes:readTypes:shouldPrompt:completion:] + 292 BUT in swift : healthStore.requestAuthorization(toShare: nil, read: readTypes) is working, présents only my 2 datas to read... in the same IOS , same phone without crashing. What is the difference ? Nil object in objective-c and Nil object in swift are not the same ? how do i make readonly requests in objective C ?
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450
Mar ’25
HKAnchoredObjectQuery Stops Receiving Updates
I implemented this to receive updates for specific data types and keep the latest daily information up to date. However, for some reason, it only works for a while before stopping completely. Background Delivery internal func backgroundDeliveryForReadTypes(enable: Bool, types: Set<HKQuantityType>) async { do { if enable { try await statusForAuthorizationRequest(toWrite: [], toRead: types) for type in types { try await healthStore.enableBackgroundDelivery(for: type, frequency: .daily) } } else { for type in types { try await healthStore.disableBackgroundDelivery(for: type) } } } catch { debugPrint("Error enabling background delivery: \(error.localizedDescription)") } } HKQueryAnchor internal var walkingActivityQueryAnchor: HKQueryAnchor? { get { if let anchorData = UserDefaults.standard.data(forKey: "walkingActivityAnchor") { return try? NSKeyedUnarchiver.unarchivedObject(ofClass: HKQueryAnchor.self, from: anchorData) } return nil } set { if let newAnchor = newValue { let anchorData = try? NSKeyedArchiver.archivedData(withRootObject: newAnchor, requiringSecureCoding: true) UserDefaults.standard.set(anchorData, forKey: "walkingActivityAnchor") } else { UserDefaults.standard.removeObject(forKey: "walkingActivityAnchor") } } } HKAnchoredObjectQuery internal func observeWalkingActivityInBackground( _ start: Bool, toRead: Set<HKQuantityType>, completion: @escaping @Sendable (Result<WalkingActivityData?, Error>) -> Void ) { if start { guard (walkingActivityQuery == nil) else { return } let predicate = getPredicate(date: Date()) let queryDescriptors = toRead.map { HKQueryDescriptor(sampleType: $0, predicate: predicate) } let handleSamples: @Sendable (HKAnchoredObjectQuery, [HKSample]?, [HKDeletedObject]?, HKQueryAnchor?, Error?) -> Void = { [weak self] _, samples, _, newAnchor, error in guard let self = self else { return } if let error = error { completion(.failure(error)) return } guard let samples = samples, !samples.isEmpty else { completion(.success(nil)) return } Task { self.walkingActivityQueryAnchor = newAnchor let activity = await self.getWalkingActivity(date: Date()) completion(.success(activity)) } } let query = HKAnchoredObjectQuery( queryDescriptors: queryDescriptors, anchor: walkingActivityQueryAnchor, limit: HKObjectQueryNoLimit, resultsHandler: handleSamples ) query.updateHandler = handleSamples healthStore.execute(query) walkingActivityQuery = query } else { if let query = walkingActivityQuery { healthStore.stop(query) walkingActivityQuery = nil } } } WalkingActivityData private func getWalkingActivity(date: Date) async -> WalkingActivityData { async let averageHeartRate = try await self.getAverageHeartRate(date: date) async let steps = try self.getStepCount(date: date) async let durationMinutes = try self.getTotalDurationInMinutes(date: date) async let distanceMeters = try self.getDistanceWalkingRunning(date: date, unit: .meter()) async let activeCalories = try self.getActiveEnergyBurned(date: date) return await WalkingActivityData( date: date, steps: try? steps, activeCalories: try? activeCalories, distanceMeters: try? distanceMeters, durationMinutes: try? durationMinutes, averageHeartRate: try? averageHeartRate ) } Example of getAverageHeartRate func getAverageHeartRate(date: Date) async throws -> Double? { let type = HKQuantityType(.heartRate) _ = try checkAuthorizationStatus(for: type) guard let heartRate = try await getDescriptor( date: date, type: type, options: .discreteAverage ).result(for: healthStore) .statistics(for: date)? .averageQuantity()?.doubleValue(for: HKUnit.count().unitDivided(by: HKUnit.minute())) else { return nil } return Double(String(format: "%.2f", heartRate)) ?? 0.0 } Descriptor & predicate internal func getPredicate(startDate: Date, endDate: Date) -> NSCompoundPredicate { let predicateForSamples = HKQuery.predicateForSamples(withStart: startDate, end: endDate) let excludeManual = NSPredicate(format: "metadata.%K != YES", HKMetadataKeyWasUserEntered) return NSCompoundPredicate(andPredicateWithSubpredicates: [predicateForSamples, excludeManual]) } internal func getDescriptor(startDate: Date, endDate: Date, type: HKQuantityType, options: HKStatisticsOptions) -> HKStatisticsCollectionQueryDescriptor { let calendar = Calendar(identifier: .gregorian) let anchorDate = calendar.date(bySetting: .hour, value: 0, of: startDate)! var interval = DateComponents() interval.day = 1 return HKStatisticsCollectionQueryDescriptor( predicate: HKSamplePredicate.quantitySample(type: type, predicate: getPredicate(startDate: startDate, endDate: endDate)), options: options, anchorDate: anchorDate, intervalComponents: interval ) } Implementation public func observeWalkingActivityInBackground(_ start: Bool, toRead: Set<HKQuantityType>, memberID: String) { observeWalkingActivityInBackground(start, toRead: toRead) { [weak self] result in guard let self = self else { return } } }
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325
Mar ’25
Querying heart rate samples hangs for some users
This is an ongoing issue that I haven't been able to solve: I am querying different types of HealthKit data over the past year. While this works fine for HRV, it hangs for some users when I'm trying to get heart rate data. Here's the relevant query func initialRead(from startDate: Date) async throws -> [HKSample] { let endDate = anchorStart let interval: TimeInterval = .days(7) var currentStartDate = startDate var currentEndDate = Date(timeInterval: interval, since: currentStartDate) var samples: [HKSample] = [] while currentStartDate <= endDate { let datePredicate = SampleType.datePredicate(start: currentStartDate, end: currentEndDate) let predicate = NSCompoundPredicate(andPredicateWithSubpredicates: [datePredicate,HKQuery.predicateForObjects(withMetadataKey: HKMetadataKeyHeartRateMotionContext, allowedValues: [HKHeartRateMotionContext.sedentary])]) do { let result = try await withCheckedThrowingContinuation { continuation in let completionQuery = HKSampleQuery(sampleType: HKQuantityType.heartRate, predicate: predicate, limit: HKObjectQueryNoLimit, sortDescriptors: [.init(key: HKSampleSortIdentifierStartDate, ascending: true)]) { query, samples, error in if let samples { continuation.resume(returning: samples) } else { if let error { continuation.resume(throwing: error) } else { continuation.resume(returning: []) } } } healthStore.execute(completionQuery) } samples = samples.merge(from: result) } catch { Logger.general.error("Reading failed for dates \(currentStartDate) to \(currentEndDate): \(error)") } currentStartDate = currentEndDate currentEndDate = Date(timeInterval: interval, since: currentStartDate) } return samples } extension HKSampleType { static func datePredicate( start:Date?, end:Date?) -> NSPredicate { HKQuery.predicateForSamples(withStart: start, end:end, options: .strictStartDate) } } For reference, I expect about 1000 sedentary samples per week. Basically what happens for these users is when they start reading the HR data, the app hangs. They start each read manually via a special TestFlight build with buttons for starting the different data type readings. Any advice on how to proceed with this bug would be great since it only affects some users. I am able to create test builds for this audience to test different options. One theory is the motion context predicate is screwing something up. If any apple dev can enlighten me how to narrow down the issue, that would be great.
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208
Mar ’25
Recording a HeartbeatSeries
I need to be able to create and store a HeartbeatSeries for a given time-period from an Apple Watch, to then retrieve that data from HealthKit to be processed. I have working code which allows me to begin a workout session, which is being used to determine how long a session has been running for. I also have working code for retrieving HeartbeatSeries data from HealthKit. The issue is that no HeartbeatSeries data is being stored into HealthKit as a result of the workout session running. Whether that session is running for as little as 30 seconds or as long as 20 minutes, nothing is stored. However, when I use the the Apple "Meditation" app (formerly known as "Breathe"), I can query HealthKit afterwards and retrieve a list of individual heartbeat timings during that 2 minute period. Therefore, it IS possible to store a HeartbeatSeries from within an app on the Apple Watch. What I would like to know is, how can I use the pulse sensor built-in to the Apple Watch to be able to record a HeartbeatSeries similar to how the Meditation app does it.
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136
Mar ’25
Has HealthKit Changed GPS Standards in iOS 18.4 Beta 4?
I am a developer from mainland China. Today, I noticed that the HKWorkoutRoute data stored by my app in HealthKit shows significant discrepancies when viewed on the workout route map in the Health and Fitness apps on iOS 18.4. Instead of displaying the actual movement path, the route appears to be offset by several hundred meters. I collected this data using my app on watchOS 11.3.1, and all CLLocation data comes directly from Core Location. I did not convert WGS84 standard data to GCJ02. Reviewing historical data, all workout routes before March 17, 2025, appear correct, but every record after that date exhibits the offset issue.
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109
Mar ’25
Synchronization Timing Between Apple Watch HealthKit Store and iPhone HealthKit Store
Hi, I’m currently working on an app that utilizes sleep data from HealthKit to provide users with meaningful insights about their sleep. To ensure a smooth user experience, I’d like to understand when sleep data collected by the Apple Watch is saved to the HealthKit store and when it gets synced to the iPhone. Ideally, I want to fetch sleep data right after the user wakes up and opens our app. However, to do this reliably, I need to know the timing of how and when this data becomes available in the iPhone’s HealthKit store. I’ve looked through the official documentation and relevant WWDC sessions but couldn’t find clear information on this topic. If anyone has insights or experience with how and when the Apple Watch syncs HealthKit data—especially sleep records—to the iPhone, I’d greatly appreciate your input. Thanks!
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116
Apr ’25
Incorrect Step Count from Apple HealthKit Data
Hi, i'm trying to get the number of step counts a person has taken. I decided to pull the data from health kit and the number of steps are incorrect. Come to find out apple health recommends an app called pedometer++ for the number of steps counted and after testing I realized that they are getting the correct number of steps a person is taking. How can I pull the correct number of steps a person has taken? I want to be able to merge the data from watch and phone to make sure we are getting the correct number of steps but not double counting the steps either. any guidance on this would be appreciated! Here's the code snippet that i'm using right now: permissions: { read: [AppleHealthKit.Constants.Permissions.StepCount], write: [], }, }; AppleHealthKit.initHealthKit(permissions, error => { if (error) { console.log('Error initializing HealthKit: ', error); return; } else { dispatch(setAllowHealthKit(true)); getHealthKitData(); console.log('HealthKit initialized successfully'); } }); const getHealthKitData = async () => { try { const today = new Date(); const options = { startDate: new Date(today.setHours(0, 0, 0, 0)).toISOString(), endDate: new Date().toISOString(), }; const steps = await new Promise((resolve, reject) => { AppleHealthKit.getStepCount(options, (error, results) => { if (error) reject(error); resolve(results?.value); }); }); setStepsCount(steps); } catch (error) { console.error('Error fetching HealthKit data:', error); } };
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233
Jul ’25
Non-ViewModifier way to present WorkoutPlan preview
Hello, is there a way to present WorkoutPlan preview just like it was presented on WWDC video: https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2023/10016/ with WorkoutCompositions? Or was this way ditched completely and is not possible to reproduce anymore? I find it weird that this view modifier accepts non-optional WorkoutPlan when the process of creating one can fail for many reasons with fatalError (that's another issue - why isn't there throws used anywhere?) when not checked with dedicated methods and I think that it would make more sense to create WorkoutPlan when user completes filling some kind of form. Because right now it's needed to compute the non-optional WorkoutPlan for the sake of .workoutPreview modifier live for any changes and that can often lead to errors. Non-modifier way of presenting the preview, like the one presented on WWDC would work really well for my project
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151
Jun ’25