poolmanrob

Q: apple watch workout is way off on calories

I've used the apple watch workout app and the approximate calories burned is way off from what it should be. Is there any way to calibrate it so it will be more accurate? It shows only about half the calories burned that I know it should be.

Posted on Apr 28, 2015 11:25 PM

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Q: apple watch workout is way off on calories

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  • by vtanci,

    vtanci vtanci Aug 16, 2015 11:35 PM in response to poolmanrob
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 16, 2015 11:35 PM in response to poolmanrob

    I've bought my sport apple watch one week ago and I am really disappointed with it.

    I' m a female of 157 cm and 58 kg and the resting calories I daily burn should be between 1200 and 1300. Instead the Activity app estimates around 1800 calories each day (1,2kcal/min).

    Furthermore active calories are underestimated and I don't understand how they are computed.

    For curiosity I started an outdoor running workout while sitting on my sofa and it calculated calories as if I was really running.

    Finally heart rate measurements are irregular. In fact the records I can read on Health app sometimes have a 10 minutes frequency and sometimes have a many hours empty gap without any record.

    We need a software update as soon as possible and we wish clear explanations on the method our apple watch compute calories.

  • by nick101,

    nick101 nick101 Aug 17, 2015 2:47 AM in response to vtanci
    Level 5 (5,108 points)
    Aug 17, 2015 2:47 AM in response to vtanci

    There's a mix of things here.

     

    - Heart rate: In WatchOS 1.01 (the current release), heart rate is measured roughly  once an hour if there isn't an active Workout in progress, but the measurement only takes place if your wrist is still. So the actual frequency can vary quite a bit. In the previous WatchOS release, the measurement was every 10 minutes; Apple hasn't explained why the frequency was changed, but it's assumed to be a way of saving battery life. 't there's a Workout in progress, heart rate is measured every few seconds, but that also can vary depending how sing the watch is against your wrist. This may change again in WatchOS2, which is due out in September or October (date not yet finalised), but there's been no confirmation of that

     

    - Resting calories: 1800/day sounds like a bug. A reset (hold the digital crown and the side button together for around 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears) may knock some sense into it. If it doesn't, I suggest a full reset to factory settings, to calibrate all over agin. That's a somewhat painful process, but it has had good results for some people. To do the reset safely, and retain your Activity and Health data, connect to iTunes, do a full encrypted backup of your iPhone (if it's not encrypted, Health data is not backed up), rest the watch to factory settings (from the Settings app in the watch or the Watch app on the phone), re=pair with the phone and you'll be asked if you want to restore from a watch backup. You'll have to recalibrate the watch distance measurement after all this as well.

     

    - Active calorie usage - again, a reset might help, but there are inconsistencies in how the software works. It seems to work quite well for some people (I have found it quite reliable), but not for others.

     

    All this stuff is work in progress for Apple (which doesn't make it less annoying). If you have time and the inclination, please report your experience at http://www.apple.com/feedback - the more information Apple gets, the more opportunity there is to get this working properly.

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Aug 17, 2015 3:01 AM in response to vtanci
    Level 8 (36,007 points)
    Apple Watch
    Aug 17, 2015 3:01 AM in response to vtanci

    nick101 wrote:

     

    There's a mix of things here.

     

    - Heart rate: In WatchOS 1.01 (the current release), heart rate is measured roughly  once an hour if there isn't an active Workout in progress, but the measurement only takes place if your wrist is still. So the actual frequency can vary quite a bit. In the previous WatchOS release, the measurement was every 10 minutes; Apple hasn't explained why the frequency was changed, but it's assumed to be a way of saving battery life. 't there's a Workout in progress, heart rate is measured every few seconds, but that also can vary depending how sing the watch is against your wrist.

     

    This is incorrect.

     

    In the current version of watchOS, Apple Watch measures your heart rate:

     

    - Every 10 minutes as long as neither you nor your arm are moving (a resting heart rate).

    - Continuously during workouts (via the Workout app), by flashing green LEDs hundreds of times per second.

     

    All heart rate measurements are stored in the Health app on your Apple Watch, where you can view the data points (Health Data tab > Vitals > Heart Rate > Show all Data).

     

    More info here: Your heart rate. What it means, and where on Apple Watch you’ll find it. - Apple Support

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Aug 17, 2015 3:12 AM in response to vtanci
    Level 8 (36,007 points)
    Apple Watch
    Aug 17, 2015 3:12 AM in response to vtanci

    To help improve the accuracy of calorie estimations:


    Check that your personal information is accurate:

    On your iPhone > Apple Watch app > My Watch > Health > check and, if necessary, edit your birthdate, gender, height and weight.

     

    Calibrate your Apple Watch:

     

    Calibration will improve the accuracy of health and activity related estimations including:

    - Calorie estimations for workouts when using the Workout app.

    - Calorie, distance, Move and Exercise estimations in the Activity App.

     

    More info here: Calibrating your Apple Watch for improved Workout and Activity accuracy - Apple Support

  • by vtanci,

    vtanci vtanci Aug 17, 2015 5:27 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 17, 2015 5:27 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    Thanks for your answers and suggestions.

    I believe that Apple has still a big job to do in order to offer a reliable fitness watch.

     

    I appreciate your explanations about the frequency of the heart rate records stored in Health App.

    i've checked all my personal information and they are correct.

    I've performed the calibration procedure once and I'll do it again.

    I've rebooted the watch and maybe I'll try resetting It.

    i've reported my negative experience to Apple hoping that they will fix as soon as possible.

     

    It is Incredible that I've tried starting another running workout during my afternoon nap and active calories have been added in the Activity App.

     

    Actually I'm so disappointed that I'm considering taking the watch back to the Apple Store and asking a refound since I've bought it essentially as a fitness instrument.... I'm sorry because I hadn't had negative experiences with Apple before (Mac Book Pro,iPhone, iPad)

  • by nick101,

    nick101 nick101 Aug 17, 2015 5:38 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 5 (5,108 points)
    Aug 17, 2015 5:38 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    Jonathan UK wrote:

     

    nick101 wrote:

     

    There's a mix of things here.

     

    - Heart rate: In WatchOS 1.01 (the current release), heart rate is measured roughly  once an hour if there isn't an active Workout in progress, but the measurement only takes place if your wrist is still. So the actual frequency can vary quite a bit. In the previous WatchOS release, the measurement was every 10 minutes; Apple hasn't explained why the frequency was changed, but it's assumed to be a way of saving battery life. 't there's a Workout in progress, heart rate is measured every few seconds, but that also can vary depending how sing the watch is against your wrist.

     

    This is incorrect.

     

    In the current version of watchOS, Apple Watch measures your heart rate:

     

    - Every 10 minutes as long as neither you nor your arm are moving (a resting heart rate).

    - Continuously during workouts (via the Workout app), by flashing green LEDs hundreds of times per second.

     

    All heart rate measurements are stored in the Health app on your Apple Watch, where you can view the data points (Health Data tab > Vitals > Heart Rate > Show all Data).

     

    More info here: Your heart rate. What it means, and where on Apple Watch you’ll find it. - Apple Support

    Thanks for the correction.

  • by G3gator,

    G3gator G3gator Aug 17, 2015 5:41 AM in response to vtanci
    Level 3 (571 points)
    Aug 17, 2015 5:41 AM in response to vtanci

    There are clearly some improvements needed in the 1.X version of the software, many of which, hopefully, will be fixed in the upcoming update in the next month or so.

     

    Frankly, I am surprised that the 1.X is as good as it is given the secrecy of the watch project and the limited testing that was possible before it was launched. Now that it is in the hands of several million users, Apple is able to get a lot of feedback and make the needed corrections. I think most of the problems discussed in this forum are software related and will be fixed.

     

    However, I don't think a multi-function device will ever do specific functions as well as devices dedicated to a very specific function. One has a choice of getting something that does multiple things well, or several devices that do specific, and limited things, very well.

     

    George

  • by SirSatish,

    SirSatish SirSatish Aug 17, 2015 5:42 AM in response to vtanci
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 17, 2015 5:42 AM in response to vtanci

    Apple Watch for fitness is a total failure. I am so surprised that Apple will release a product full of so many inaccuracies. My resting calories come out to 2500 when they should be about 1300. for my Yoga, I used "Other" activity and it gave me 1200 calories burnt for a 90 minute session which is a total joke. I thought the calories will be calculated based on heart rate during the session, but it does not appear to be the case because the average heart rate shows up as 74. Total nonsense!  I also bought it as a fitness instrument. Fitbit does a far superior job for 1/3rd of the price. Apple should take it back!

  • by G3gator,

    G3gator G3gator Aug 17, 2015 5:48 AM in response to SirSatish
    Level 3 (571 points)
    Aug 17, 2015 5:48 AM in response to SirSatish

    "Apple should take it back!"


    No. You should take yours back. There are many people, such as myself, who would not want the watch to be recalled.


    If you are interested in a fitness-tracking-only, plastic device, the Apple Watch may not be for you.


    George

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Aug 17, 2015 6:03 AM in response to vtanci
    Level 8 (36,007 points)
    Apple Watch
    Aug 17, 2015 6:03 AM in response to vtanci

    You're welcome!

     

    For the best results, calibrate for 20 minutes at each of the speeds you normally run or walk at.

    Further calibration over time will continue to improve accuracy.

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Aug 17, 2015 6:04 AM in response to nick101
    Level 8 (36,007 points)
    Apple Watch
    Aug 17, 2015 6:04 AM in response to nick101

    nick101 wrote:

     

    Thanks for the correction.

     

    No problem

  • by arsook,

    arsook arsook Aug 17, 2015 7:50 AM in response to G3gator
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 17, 2015 7:50 AM in response to G3gator

    I totally understand your frustration.  There is no current fix for the calorie problem no matter how many people write back with calibration directions!

    I am very disappointed in the watch also  and know many people who have returned it.

    However, as is typical with Apple, the new software release in September is supposed to take care of all the issues.  Also there will be more apple watch apps and hopefully one of them will give better calorie counts. 

    If you are passed the return time just hang on another month.

  • by nick101,

    nick101 nick101 Aug 17, 2015 8:00 AM in response to SirSatish
    Level 5 (5,108 points)
    Aug 17, 2015 8:00 AM in response to SirSatish

    SirSatish wrote:

     

    Apple Watch for fitness is a total failure. I am so surprised that Apple will release a product full of so many inaccuracies. My resting calories come out to 2500 when they should be about 1300. for my Yoga, I used "Other" activity and it gave me 1200 calories burnt for a 90 minute session which is a total joke. I thought the calories will be calculated based on heart rate during the session, but it does not appear to be the case because the average heart rate shows up as 74. Total nonsense!  I also bought it as a fitness instrument. Fitbit does a far superior job for 1/3rd of the price. Apple should take it back!

    The watch does not do that well for non-aerobic activity - it works quite well for running, cycling and the like (although some people have reported issues in these areas), but it does struggle right now for things like yoga, weight training and so on. It's likely to improve over time, but you may not want to wait. If so, return the watch for a refund and stick with a Fitbit if that works well for you.

     

    Having said that, it is possible, with time and attention, to calibrate the watch to do a better job - but it can take time and, even then, you may not get the results you hope for.

     

    One other point, which may not be relevant to you but ... if you use multiple activity recording apps, you may see some duplication in recording. Example: I use both Runkeeper and the workout app - MyFitnessPal adds the calorie count/distance etc from both of them and seems to think I'm doing twice the exercise I do (wonderful excuse for over-eating, but not really the point). I believe there's work to be done by both Apple and 3rd parties to explain how this works and mitigate it.

  • by vtanci,

    vtanci vtanci Aug 17, 2015 9:56 AM in response to nick101
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 17, 2015 9:56 AM in response to nick101

    I've another week to decide if to return it to the Apple Store or to wait fall updates or third party applications.

    The fact is that I'm not very interested in the no fitness features of the watch. Maybe for me the Fitbit is better...

    Thanks for sharing your opinions and knowledge.

  • by Kristalneubauer5,

    Kristalneubauer5 Kristalneubauer5 Aug 17, 2015 4:30 PM in response to Hlane2281
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 17, 2015 4:30 PM in response to Hlane2281

    I am having the same problem with using the elliptical and apple watch.  I bought this watch to replace the Fitbit surge watch.  The surge was very accurate in calories and heart rate but I love apple products and wanted the watch.  My wrist does sweat and my surge still worked.  If sweat is a problem then I would not have bought the sport watch lol. I have used this watch to workout twice now and when I choose elliptical it is half off and when I choose other to use weights it is spot on. The elliptical is the piece of equipment I use for cardio because it feels the best for my bad knees.  I mostly look at calories burned and my heart rate to make sure I am in the right workout range.  Please find a way to fix this problem I to bought this for working out.

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