At Suunto, we believe in adventure. That’s why our products are built to be versatile, ready for whatever challenge you take on.
When tracking different activities, two key terms are important to understand: activity types and sport modes.
Activity types define the general nature of movement. Common examples include running and cycling. These serve as the foundation for training summaries in the Suunto app.
Sport modes are specific configurations within an activity type, tailored to different workouts or environments. For example, an interval running session requires different data fields than a long endurance run. Sport modes determine what metrics (e.g., heart rate, speed, power, altitude, lap data) are displayed on your watch, what kind of screen layouts are used, and whether external sensors (e.g., heart rate belts, power meters) are connected. Your Suunto watch comes with dozens of ready-made sport modes, but you can also customize your own in the Suunto app.
When you start an activity on your Suunto watch, you select a sport mode (e.g., "Interval Running"). Once synced to the Suunto app, the recorded data is categorized under an activity type (e.g., "Running"). You can also edit the activity type in the Suunto app if needed (e.g., changing "Running" to "Trail running").
Update: March 2025 – New activity types added
One of the new activity types is Splitboarding. (Image by Jaakko Posti / Arctic Lines)
We’ve expanded our supported activity types to better match the ways you move. Some of the new ones are:
- Cross-country skiing: Now split into Skate skiing and Classic skiing, so you can track each discipline separately. Prefer a general category? The existing Cross-country skiing type remains. Also, Biathlon is added as its own activity type.
- Backcountry skiing & Ski mountaineering: Perfect for adventurers exploring the mountains and backcountry.
- Splitboarding: Gliding on snow isn’t only for skiers. Snowboarders can now track their human powered endeavors as Splitboarding.
- Yoga & Pilates: Track your practice with more precision.
- Wheelchair & Handcycle: Whether you're training or commuting, you can now log your wheelchair or handcycling activities.
- E-Biking & E-MTB: Separate your electric-assisted rides from traditional cycling sessions.
- Chores: From mowing the lawn to shoveling snow, track everyday physical activity and get insights into your overall workload.
What happens to your statistics when new sports are added?
Track running is still running in your Suunto app summary data. (Image by Phil Gale, Soar)
How can you track your overall running or skiing kilometers in the future? If you record cross-country skiing as "skating," the summary tool in the Suunto app will list it separately from "classic skiing." The same applies to different types of running – track running, treadmill running, running, and trail running all appear as separate sport types.
However, in the Training Zone in Suunto app, total running load combines all types of running into a single metric. This means you can track new sports both individually and as part of a larger category, giving you flexibility in how you analyze your training.
Full list of Suunto activity types
(Latest additions in bold)
- Running
- Trail running
- Vertical run
- Track running
- Walking
- Hiking
- Trekking
- Nordic walking
- Mountaineering
- Cycling
- Gravel cycling
- Cyclocross
- Mountain biking
- E-biking
- E-mtb
- Cross country skiing
- Skating skiing
- Classic skiing
- Snowboarding
- Ski touring
- Ski mountaineering
- Backcountry skiing
- Split boarding
- Telemark skiing
- Alpine skiing
- Biathlon
- Snow shoeing
- Ice skating
- Ice hockey
- Golf
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Basketball
- Badminton
- Baseball
- Volleyball
- American football
- Table tennis
- Racquet ball
- Squash
- Ball games
- Floorball
- Handball
- Softball
- Bowling
- Cricket
- Rugby
- Frisbee golf
- Futsal
- Padel
- Field hockey
- Gym
- Fitness class
- Indoor
- Indoor cycling
- Treadmill
- Crossfit
- Crosstrainer
- Indoor rowing
- Stretching
- Combat sport
- Kettlebell
- Dancing
- Aerobics
- Circuit training
- Gymnastics
- Boxing
- Cheerleading
- Calisthenics
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Meditation
- Multisport
- Triathlon
- Adventure racing
- Obstacle racing
- Paragliding
- Track and field
- Orienteering
- Climbing
- Parkour
- Outdoor gym
- Roller skating
- Roller skiing
- Skateboarding
- Horseback riding
- Motorsports
- Swimming
- Paddling
- Rowing
- Standup paddling
- Sailing
- Kayaking
- Open water swimming
- Windsurfing
- Kitesurfing kiting
- Canoeing
- Surfing
- Water sports
- Scuba diving
- Freediving
- Mermaiding
- Snorkeling
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Wheelchair
- Hand cycling
- Chores
What if your favorite activity isn’t listed?
No problem! You can still track it:
Create a custom sport mode
- Build a Custom sport mode in the Suunto app to see exactly the metrics you want during the session.
- Use "Other" as the activity type, or use an existing activity type (e.g., a new sport mode for running).
Use tags for better organization
- After syncing your activity to the Suunto app, go to "Edit" → "Add tag."
- Tags help categorize activities. For example, you can tag all races with "Race" or specific workouts with "Intervals."