"After ten years of using my Apple Watch at the gym, it still has a significant weakness."

For nearly a decade, the Apple Watch has become an indispensable companion for gym-goers. Many users rely on it daily to monitor their workouts, calories, and elapsed time. This device helps to avoid distractions from mobile phones while keeping users alert to notifications from friends and family. Additionally, it allows control of music and podcasts, times breaks, and much more.

However, since its launch, this device has suffered from a significant flaw that has frustrated many in the fitness realm: the accidental activation of buttons, especially with the back of the hand. The growing size of Apple's wearable device lineup has exacerbated this problem in recent years. The Apple Watch Series 10, expected to be the largest model to date, along with the Apple Watch Ultra 2, also contribute to this situation.

In my case, I wear the Apple Watch as recommended, placed on my left wrist, with the side button and Digital Crown facing right, so I can operate them with my right hand. Despite this, at least once during every workout, and sometimes more, I accidentally press the Digital Crown or the side button, interrupting my exercise flow. This is particularly problematic during exercises that require wrist flexion, such as push-ups, bench presses, or squats.

As Apple has included more functionalities in these buttons, frustration has grown. It's common to unintentionally pause workout tracking or music, which can disrupt the user's focus and rhythm. Currently, I use the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which adds more complexity, as it emits an 86-decibel siren that I've activated unintentionally more than once, causing discomfort among other gym-goers.

Due to these annoyances, I've found myself needing to adjust my watch before certain exercises, even removing it at times out of frustration. This experience doesn't completely ruin the device's usability, as it is perfect in many aspects related to fitness, but it is definitely a weak point that still needs addressing.

The idea of a possible solution has led me to think about the water lock feature that the Apple Watch has, designed to prevent accidental touches in water. This system could be adapted to disable button presses during certain types of workouts, reactivating only through input on the touchscreen or a deliberate press of the Digital Crown. While the buttons are crucial for emergency functions and workout tracking, having a mechanism that makes accidental activation difficult while lifting weights could be highly beneficial.

An even more advanced system could be implemented that uses accelerometer data to detect when a workout is being performed, disabling the buttons during the workout and reactivating them during rest periods. This feature would not only benefit weightlifters, but also runners or triathletes who want to avoid interruptions in their tracking during competitions.

While I have no plans of leaving my Apple Watch at home during workouts, I hope that one day accidental touches can be eliminated. I'm convinced that is the only aspect preventing the device from achieving perfection. Until that happens, I will continue to deal with constant adjustments and, occasionally, the siren that surprises those around me at the gym.