Apple watch ultra keeping pausing during workouts even when locked

When I'm at a workout (usually football), my watch ultra keeps pausing the workout by accident.

I tried to use the water lock feature, but it also allows the pause to function as the lock water will only prevent touching the screen by accident

I tried to follow the instructions from this thread

Apple Watch keeps pausing during workouts - Apple Community

but I don't have an option to lock my watch by 'firmly pressing the display' after a workout starts. It does nothing.

How do I lock my watch completely during workout to avoid this silly issue of pausing?

That's btw a shockingly bad experience given that this is 90% of the use of a apple watch (track activities)