Apple Watch - what counts as ‘exercise’?

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Apple Watch - what counts as ‘exercise’?

I have read a lot about this, but have yet to find the answer I need. Given that the Apple Watch tracks your resting heart rate and is supposed to track “exercise“, so you can close your exercise ring every day, where can I find on the Apple Watch on a day-to-day basis what level of heart rate counts as “exercise“ for that day? If I am working out regularly, my resting heart rate decreases, and presumably my target heart rate for “exercise” changes accordingly. Where is that information on the Apple Watch, or perhaps on the Health or Fitness app?

Apple Watch

Posted on Feb 13, 2021 12:05 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 13, 2021 12:19 PM in response to Mom2KidsDog

To earn exercise or workout credit you must move at the speed of a brisk walk.

To earn 1 minute of exercise credit(green ring);

Travel a full minute at a brisk walking pace 3.3 mph or 18 minutes per mile approx.

Raise your heart rate to approx 75% of your maximum.

When you're at around or above this heart rate and speed for the entire minute you'll receive 1 exercise minute credit.

If you pause or slow down during this minute then you won't get any exercise credit for that minute,it will still measure your steps and calories burnt but will not give you any credit towards the exercise ring.

Source;Successful phone call I had with apple support.

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Answer 2

Feb 13, 2021 12:39 PM in response to Mom2KidsDog

Your maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age;

Example 50 years old;

220-50=170

170 BPM is your maximum heart rate.

The more exercise that you do means that the heart doesn't have to beat as fast to do the same amount of work because you're getting fitter so the 75% becomes a little harder to get because you have to put a bit more effort in.

It's the watches way of encouraging you to get ever fitter.

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Answer 3

Mom2KidsDog Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 13, 2021 12:26 PM in response to Community User

Thanks much, fieryJack. This does not, however, answer my request for a more accurate answer from my Apple Watch. I would like to receive a notification or be able to go to an app on the Apple Watch that gives precise information as to what 75% of my maximum heart rate is for that day. The more fit you become, the lower your resting heart rate, and your maximum heart rate changes accordingly. For example, “Your resting heart rate today is xBPM, and hence your target heart rate of 75% of your maximum HR is yBPM. You must maintain the yBPM for a full minute to receive credit for 1 minute of exercise.” A “brisk walk” is different for everyone given their fitness levels, as is 75% of their maximum heart rate based on their fitness levels.

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Answer 4

Mom2KidsDog Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 14, 2021 4:58 AM in response to Community User

FieryJack I have read all of your replies, but unfortunately none of the information is new given the articles I’ve read on both the Apple Watch and fitness. I want the Apple Watch to tell me the number that is 75% of my maximum heart rate. Doesn’t the Apple Watch already calculate this for the purpose of counting minutes as “exercise“? How is that so complicated?

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Answer 5

Mom2KidsDog Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 13, 2021 1:40 PM in response to Community User

I know that my Apple Watch calculates this. I want the Apple Watch to show me: “75% of your maximum heart rate is X.“ Is that so hard?

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Answer 6

Feb 13, 2021 1:45 PM in response to Mom2KidsDog

You obviously haven't read any of my replies,so I'm done.

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Apple Watch - what counts as ‘exercise’?

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