Google Health Update Boosts Workout Recognition From 10 to 100 Activity Types

Google Health app version 5.11 began rolling out this week, and the update changes how trackers log physical activity. The app can now identify up to 100 activity types, up from 10 previously, covering strength training, swimming, and racket and team sports.

Automatic activity detection is live on the Fitbit Air and Pixel Watch 3, 4 and 5. The Fitbit Edge gets it on October 27 when that device launches. Google says its detection system uses workout routines, historical data and manual edits to identify sessions, and that the result is nearly twice as accurate with missed workouts cut by more than half. Sessions that pass a 15 minute minimum and hold an elevated heart rate are logged without user input, with a summary reaching the app within 30 minutes. Confirming or editing a logged activity trains the system to refine later predictions.

Two Health Guardian features arrive for Google Health Premium subscribers who own a Fitbit Air or Edge: blood pressure trends and insulin resistance trends. Setup starts now, with first reports due in early November. Blood pressure trends appear for users who wore a Fitbit Air five or more consecutive days in October. Insulin resistance trends require seven or more days and nights of wear during the month.

The app also renames the Blood glucose feature to Glucose and updates its charts. Users can set custom time-in-range targets through the Metabolic section of the Health tab. In the US, Lingo by Abbott sensors can connect directly to Google Health, delivering glucose readings within 30 minutes. Premium members can query Google Health Coach about glucose trends.

Sleep tracking now incorporates step data to catch short awakenings such as getting up at night, and users can delete a nap from the nap card if it does not match their day. Version 5.11 is live on iOS and remains in rollout for Android.

The Glucose connection is made by tapping the profile icon and selecting Partner Apps. Blood pressure and insulin resistance trends are set up from the Health Guardian section of the Health tab.