Manual Interval+ / Manual interval SuuntoPlus App with previous interval insights
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Updated on 18 April for version v1.4
Hi everyone,
I’ve released a new version of my SuuntoPlus app Manual Interval+, built for runners who train using the Lap button and want a clear, consistent interval screen for any kind of workout.
I originally designed the app because many of my own interval sessions don’t follow a strict “work / rest” pattern — for example short accelerations inside longer blocks, variable‑pace intervals, fartleks, or pyramid workouts. With many existing manual‑interval apps, the screen automatically switches to a “rest” view as soon as you press Lap, which can hide useful metrics even when you’re still running. I also wanted an easy way to review the previous interval’s data without losing context.
INT‑INT mode (fully manual)
- Every Lap starts a new interval.
- There is no predefined effort or rest phase — you decide when you are running or resting.
- A Previous Interval panel is always available to review the most recent interval’s data:
- during rest, or
- after starting the next interval.
- This mode is designed for completely free‑form interval sessions.
INT‑REST mode (alternating display)
- Each Lap toggles between INT (interval) and REST (recovery).
- Phases are clearly labeled (INT 1, REST 1, INT 2…).
- During INT phases, all key information is displayed using the available screen space.
- During REST phases, the Previous Interval panel is shown automatically to review the last effort.
New in v1.4 — Starting a new set
It is now possible to start a new set of intervals directly from the watch:
- Hold the upper button to reset the interval/rest numbering.
- A confirmation screen is shown.
- Press Lap to start the new set (INT 1), or hold the upper button again to cancel.
This allows you to restart a block or series at any time without stopping the activity.
Main features
- Clean and readable 2×2 layout for interval and rest phases.
- Tenth‑second lap timing (useful for track repeats).
- Interval/rest average pace, current heart rate, distance, and time.
- Previous Interval panel switching between (automatically, or by tapping the screen if touch is enabled):
- previous interval time + average pace
- previous interval distance + average heart rate
- Alternation between interval number and time of day in the title.
- Heart icon color reflects ZoneSense intensity (with a compatible belt) or heart‑rate zones otherwise.
- No configuration required before starting.
Compatibility
All Suunto watches have been tested using the simulator, and I also tested the app on my own Suunto Race S. Please let me know if you notice any issues on your device.
Thanks a lot for the feedback I’ve already received by email, forum messages, and app reviews — it directly influenced several improvements, including the new set reset feature.
I hope Manual Interval+ proves useful to some of you. I’d be happy to hear your thoughts or improvement ideas once you’ve tried it!
Thibault
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Check out the updated version of the app (v1.2a), and consider leaving a review!
I’ve also updated my original post to reflect the actual state of the app.
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@Thibault-B. Hi, thanks a lot! I really like your app and your willingness to further improve it. Can’t wait to test the new Int-Rest mode. The temporary “previous interval recap” will be very helpful for me as well, as I am a masters runner with problems reading the small information about the previous interval in the bottom section.
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Thank you for this new app — it’s really useful.
I have one suggestion: the ability to reset the interval counter.
In my case, I’d like to do a specific workout with manual intervals based on two sets of 5/3/1 reps. Without being able to reset the counter, it becomes quite difficult to keep track of which rep I’m on, especially when fatigued.
Maybe a long press on the top button could be used to reset the counter?
This way, I can choose to reset the counter either after each sub-block or after each set, making it easier to keep track. -
I’ve just released a new version (v1.3b), which adds support for ZoneSense and HR zones. The original post has been updated accordingly.
Thanks everyone for the kind feedback—here, on Reddit, and via email. It’s great to see the app being used!
@pe-ter I’ve been thinking about the idea of a temporary recap screen, and I’m a bit unsure. I try to keep the number of screens to a minimum so it’s easier to remember where everything is—especially when fatigued during intervals. Instead, I’ve been exploring increasing the font size of the previous interval data, but haven’t managed to implement that yet.
That said, if a temporary screen is something that matters to you and others, I’m open to reconsidering it. Making it configurable could also be a good compromise - but I do not want to use Smartphone configuration panel because of this bug: https://forum.suunto.com/topic/14940/bug-maximum-suuntoplus-apps-reached -.@anthony-guillemette I started thinking about other things requiring the long press on top button, but your suggestion is interesting (actually, I would be interested to use it myself ahah). I’ll look into how it could be implemented.
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@Thibault-B. A bigger font would already help. And a recap display even better - maybe the bug you refer to gets fixed soo . But probably I can also create a custom sport mode and add a readable screen with relevant information about the last lap. Thanks again for the great app!
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@Pe-Ter Thanks for the feedback!
A couple of questions to better understand your use case:
- Would you still use the PREV INT panel, or is it not really useful to you in this scenario?
- How long would you expect the temporary screen to be displayed? Would it be acceptable if it disappears after a short time and you then rely on the PREV INT panel?
What I like about PREV INT is that it’s always accessible. For example, I often check it once I’ve caught my breath a bit after an interval, rather than immediately.
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@Thibault-B. The PREV INT panel does not bother me and is probably very useful to most runners. My problem, and probably simalar for other older runners, is that I have troubles to read the small numbers. Thus, a temporary screen after an INT would be perfect (maybe 3 sec). I guess most runners would like that in INT REST mode but maybe in INT INT mode it might disturbs some.
One other idea, of which I do not know if it possible: Is it possible to show a blow-up screen with the information about the previous lap for a short time after tapping on the PREV INT panel? -
v1.4 is out and introduces the reset of interval counter suggested by @anthony-guillemette,
Let me know what you think! -
I really like your idea and the app. I created for my intervalls an individual sport mode and the most important value for me is the mean pace of the lap (more important than heart rate especially at short intervalls).
I know it’s hard to add one more number but maybe you can try.
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@Mitch9 Just to clarify, in both INT‑INT and INT‑REST modes, the main pace shown is already the mean (average) pace of the current interval, and the Previous Interval panel also shows the average pace of the last lap. If you were referring to something different, feel free to explain.
Note that INT-REST mode also displays the current pace in INT panel.
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@Thibault-B. Thank you so much for this quick update. But, unfortunately, when I long press the top button it activates the multisport mode. So, it doesn’t work
