My apple watch ultra vo2 max reads 29 but my garmin is 45. I'm in good condition and run and exercise daily with intense exercise multiple times a week. i've had my watch for 4 months and have set it up to record vo2. The reading seems pretty useless on apple watch.
I believe it will only improve if you then use the Apple Workout app to track your cycling activity. Garmin Connect also writtes data to Apple Health, just not to the area that contributes to Vo2 Max. If you go into Apple Health and look specifically into the Vo2 Max area you can actually see which data sources are being taken into account. Check if your Wahoo device is listed. I suspect not…
Hjulbenet04 wrote:
I’m a cyclist and track all my rides on both Garmin Connect and Apple Health.
My Vo2 max on Garmin is 53 and on Apple Health it is 32…..
That is a ridiculous difference….
Having read the comments above it seems that’s just the way it is with the Apple algorithm… but in my opinion it is pretty useless !
As has been said earlier, your cycling does not count towards VO2 max on Apple algorithms. It is presumably picking it up from your walking or running sessions which may not be generating high values.
Useless? That’s an opinion.
"So it’s fair to ask why is Apple estimate in health app is lower."
It may be fair to ask, but we have no insight into how Apple implements an algorithm. This is a user-to-user forum. No one here (with VERY limited exceptions) works for Apple.
If you want to pursue this topic, I suggest you.contact Apple Support. Or make your observations known to Apple using this link:
I’ve used my Ultra since release and I had a vo2 max score of 52. Three weeks ago I started using a Garmin Epix to track my workouts. The workouts show up in my Apple fitness stats but my vo2 max has dropped to 48.
I believe that workouts recorded using Garmin do not contribute to Apple Vo2 Max scores which is why my score is dropping even through my fitness has remained stable. This might explain why, if you are using Garmin, Garmin scores your vo 2 max value higher then Apple health because it is using all the data from the Garmin devices.
Just my theory 🤷♂️
Just to come back into this chat - I am really not sure if this is associated with where data is stored etc.
I only used an Apple Watch for years and my Vo2 max was much much lower than my eventual lab test result.
It was only when I switched my ultra to Garmin recently it then gave me a higher Vo2max which made me decide to get it lab measured.
I am convinced there is a basic issue with how apple evaluates vo2max in some people.
for me.
apple vo2 max 41
garmin 49
lab test 50
i now only use a Garmin as for training it is much better than Apple Watch for me.
Apple VO2 Max seems to be much higher if you RUN than if you do other sports (like biking, elliptical, and swimming, and then Apple just uses your outdoor walks to estimate). I used to run more and was 42-43, now I do elliptical, biking, and swimming and it is around 34, and I’m in nearly the same shape.
As these are estimates the important thing is the trend - is yours going up, staying steady, or going down when using the same watch?
Pick Apple or Garmin and stick with it.
So I got my Vo2 max tested today….
Test reading in the lab 50
Garmin watch estimation 49
Apple Watch ultra 41
elliptical and swim do not count. Only outdoor walk and outdoor run.
Apple Watch uses the FRIEND chart for VO2max. You’re comparing apples to oranges. Here’s the Mayo Clinic paper with the chart:
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(15)00642-4/pdf
Measuring accurate VO, max requires a physical test and special equipment. You can also get an estimated VO, max with heart rate and motion data from a fitness tracker.
Apple Watch can record an estimated VO, max when you do a brisk walk, hike or run outdoors.
Garmin estimates it differently.
Does yours say above or below average?
Paddygill wrote:
Algorithm, isn’t that just math, in this case that needs correcting.
My watch dropped from high 40’s to 28 with little evidence as to why.
As an ex cyclist I suspected high 40’s was low, but the drop raised enough concern that I went for a medical at my cost.
VO2 max >65! It’s not just wrong it is miles of and providing misinformation that is concerning, cost me money to investigate and was ultimately so so wrong!
Sort it out, not acceptable to be alarming people with data that is so inaccurate!
Ex cyclist, but do you do enough running or power walking for the Watch to calculate it?
I am in the age range 70-79, fit, and I power walk and “jeff”. It puts me in the right range as below
Maybe Apple will include cycling one year. Ask for it https://apple.com/feedback
Have a look at this video. The guy went into a clinic to get his real VO2max.
The conclusion is that the Garmin estimate is pretty spot on.
I don’t think it’s about requiring a physical test or not. We know it’s just an estimate. What Mineralwater (and I) are asking is why is the estimate so different in two different device?
I have the exact same problem. I am now using an Ultra and was previously using a Garmin Epix Gen 2.
On the Ultra my estimate is 40 for VO2max and the Garmin is 49.
What’s more intriguing, is that I use an app for my hockey game called “hockey tracker” available from the AppStore and the estimate in the app is 50!
So it’s fair to ask why is Apple estimate in health app is lower.
I’m a cyclist and track all my rides on both Garmin Connect and Apple Health.
My Vo2 max on Garmin is 53 and on Apple Health it is 32…..
That is a ridiculous difference….
Having read the comments above it seems that’s just the way it is with the Apple algorithm… but in my opinion it is pretty useless !
Vo2 Max much lower compared to Garmin.
