CaseyTo

Q: Inaccuracies in Apple Watch for treadmill desk usage

issue 1) thr treadmill is showing how far I have walked, but the watch is only a fraction of it. When walking using a treadmill desk, my wrists are often resting on the desktop so that I can type. The watch doesn't seem to be able to handke this condition. I've walked as many as 12 miles with only getting "credit" for 4 of them. this is a major flaw in my opinion.

 

Issue 2) Stand data incorrect. Hours of walking on a treadmill and the watch doesn't give "credit" for standing.

 

These two issues alone make me not want to recommend Apple Watch to others. I'm deeply disappointed.

Apple Watch, iOS 9.2.1

Posted on Mar 2, 2016 8:07 PM

Close

Q: Inaccuracies in Apple Watch for treadmill desk usage

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Jonathan UK,Apple recommended

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Mar 2, 2016 11:54 PM in response to CaseyTo
    Level 8 (36,007 points)
    Apple Watch
    Mar 2, 2016 11:54 PM in response to CaseyTo

    Hi

     

    During general daily wear, the Activity app relies on your arm motion (measured by the accelerometer) to track movement for the purpose of crediting progress towards the Stand goal and when estimating steps and distance.

     

    For the best results, allow the arm on which you are wearing your watch to swing naturally as you move around. Moving in this way for at least one minute within each hour (instead of with your wrist resting on the desk) should help to register credit towards your Stand goal.

     

    Calibrating your watch also helps to improve the accuracy of various estimations made by the Activity app and Workout app. More information and instructions for calibrating your watch are available via the link below.

     

    More information:

    Calibrating your Apple Watch for improved Workout and Activity accuracy - Apple Support

    Use the Activity app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

  • by julie78787,

    julie78787 julie78787 Mar 3, 2016 5:23 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Apple Watch
    Mar 3, 2016 5:23 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    Jonathan -

     

    It has nothing to do with swinging. Please stop repeating that.

     

    Casey -


    When you are at your Treadmill Desk during the day, turn your watch around on your wrist. When it's time to "Stand", point your Watch arm straight up in the air and maybe wiggle it around a little. You can rest your elbow on your desk, but the Watch must think your arm is pointing down instead of up. If you do this, just point your hand up whenever you aren't typing or otherwise using it.

     

    As long as the watch thinks your hand is pointing down, and you're moving your arm some, it seems to think you're standing up and moving.

     

    No clue about the walking - the Watch senses you are walking via the accelerometers and with your arm on your desk, it can't sense that. Maybe wear it around your neck on a lanyard? The Watch is remarkably stupid - putting it in a pocket may also work well.

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Mar 3, 2016 6:12 AM in response to julie78787
    Level 8 (36,007 points)
    Apple Watch
    Mar 3, 2016 6:12 AM in response to julie78787

    julie78787 wrote:

     

    Jonathan -

     

    It has nothing to do with swinging. Please stop repeating that.

     

    Hi Julie

     

    The various issues that you have reported with your watch have already been discussed elsewhere.

     

    My advice to Casey stands.

  • by julie78787,

    julie78787 julie78787 Mar 3, 2016 6:18 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Apple Watch
    Mar 3, 2016 6:18 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    Jonathan -

     

    No, really, they've not been covered at all.

     

    The Watch decides you are standing by determining that the arm you are wearing your Watch on is pointing DOWN. Swinging your arm while you walk doesn't do it. The accelerometers (except to the extent they think your arm is pointing DOWN) don't measure much of anything except ... is your arm pointing DOWN.

     

    Actually give what I've described a try, don't just keep repeating your grossly inaccurate information and telling me I'm wrong.

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Mar 3, 2016 8:16 AM in response to julie78787
    Level 8 (36,007 points)
    Apple Watch
    Mar 3, 2016 8:16 AM in response to julie78787

    julie78787 wrote:

     

    No, really, they've not been covered at all. ..

     

    For example, this question refers:

     

     

    julie78787 wrote:

     

    don't just keep repeating your grossly inaccurate information and telling me I'm wrong.

     

    My previous reply does not constitute "grossly inaccurate information".

     

    As previously advised, during general daily wear, the Activity app relies on the built-in accelerometer to track movement:

     

    • "Meet your daily Stand goal by standing up and moving around a bit for at least 1 minute during 12 different hours in the day".
    • "Every full minute of movement equalling or exceeding the intensity of a brisk walk counts toward your daily Exercise and Move goals".
    • "The Activity app relies on arm motion and an accelerometer to track movement".
    • "Make sure you earn Exercise credit during walks by allowing the arm with your Apple Watch to swing naturally".

     

    More information:

    Use the Activity app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

  • by julie78787,

    julie78787 julie78787 Mar 3, 2016 8:26 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Apple Watch
    Mar 3, 2016 8:26 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    Yes, all those are really interesting and INACCURATE statements.

     

    Please, pretty please I am begging you, try the things I have mentioned. I didn't make them up just to annoy you, kindly stop repeating the same thing OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER again just to annoy me.

     

    I realize you want to keep increasing your post count, and maybe getting someone to "star" your posts so you get more points. I assure you that I will never "star" one of your posts until you actually TRY what I've repeatedly suggested and acknowledge that it actually works EXACTLY as I've described.

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Mar 3, 2016 8:52 AM in response to julie78787
    Level 8 (36,007 points)
    Apple Watch
    Mar 3, 2016 8:52 AM in response to julie78787

    julie78787 wrote:

     

    Yes, all those are really interesting and INACCURATE statements.

     

    As you disagree with each of Apple's statements, you may wish to submit feedback and/or contact Apple Support:

     

    https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html

    https://www.apple.com/support/watch/contact/

     

    Should you wish (whether additionally or instead) to have your watch checked under warranty (as previously suggested elsewhere), contact Apple Support:

    https://www.apple.com/support/watch/contact/

  • by julie78787,

    julie78787 julie78787 Mar 3, 2016 9:03 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Apple Watch
    Mar 3, 2016 9:03 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    Jonathan -

     

    As I have repeatedly stated, I have contacted Apple for all or some of these issues and Apple has yet to respond or acknowledge there is an issue. This is the only feedback place where anyone actually responds. Sometimes I even get lucky and someone says something useful.

     

    Now, please, do not respond to any more posts that I make. Your responses are not helpful. They are repetitive and don't indicate that you've spent any effort trying to understand the problem I'm having with the device. I can't block you because this forum doesn't have a "Block" feature, so I'm going to kindly ask that you cease replying to me at all.

     

    Thank-you.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Mar 3, 2016 9:08 AM in response to julie78787
    Level 9 (58,896 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 3, 2016 9:08 AM in response to julie78787

    This is not a feedback place. This is a user to user support forum, and no one from Apple is going to respond here. As indicated, feedback goes to the feedback page, but Apple does not respond from there, as indicated when you go to the page.

     

    As you may understand, this is a public forum, and anyone can post anywhere they wish. Yu cannot dictate who can or cannot post. Since you were not the OP here, and only seemed to offer responses to Jonathan UK and not assistance to the OP, it would seem you are not trying to help, but just be critical of another poster.

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Mar 3, 2016 11:02 AM in response to julie78787
    Level 8 (36,007 points)
    Apple Watch
    Mar 3, 2016 11:02 AM in response to julie78787
  • by julie78787,Apple recommended

    julie78787 julie78787 Mar 4, 2016 5:51 AM in response to CaseyTo
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Apple Watch
    Mar 4, 2016 5:51 AM in response to CaseyTo

    Casey -

     

    Devices like the Apple Watch measure distance using a 3-axis accelerometer - it measures movement by continuously measuring forces in 3 different directions. If you rest your hand on your desk, the Watch can only measure that you aren't moving because it isn't moving. But leaving your arm on your desk won't measure your stride because the Watch isn't moving.

     

    If you're looking to measure walking distance with your Watch, Polar makes a stride sensor you can attach to your shoe, and you can then measure your walking distance with Polar Beats. You can still use the Watch to measure your exercise by using "Other". The Watch will then calculate your calories burned by measuring your heart rate and using your weight and body fat percentage.