The cardio readings on my Apple Watch are inconsistent

I know this is late response, but I came to this because I have worn watch for years and it has shown me being “strong and healthy” even though that last few years I went off the rails health wise (all relative). I am healthier again and stronger and I got a red alert from Apple telling me I was trending down. I clicked on it trying to understand and got same message you posted. It is meaningless. How could I have been healthier before when I wasn’t and now trending down when I am truly healthier? The answer? Yes, watch is inaccurate and we became beholden to it, to our mental detriment 😂. Back to a true wristwatch for me

An absolute disgrace knowing I've been using Apple Watches since 2018 and my readings are a mess. The thing I just don't get is why it can record VO2 max when walking, but nothing when it comes to cycling. For some reason the times it did work in 7 years it read around 42 then 35 then nothing. All this - Even if I cycle for thousands of kilometres - absolutely no reading from my iOS setup that includes the watch and my iphone when riding in cycle mode... I will not upgrade anymore until Apple makes something more serious at that price point...

Funny you say that @Deijmaster, I experience the exact same thing. I select Outdoor Cycling on my Apple Watch, go for a 1-2 hour ride and my VO2 max doesn’t change. Go for a walk two days later and it updates at the end of my walk. Does this consistently. Very odd behaviour.

Exactly. Reading on other threads, I was laughing as many statements indicated vo2max wasn't for cycling or the development was never intended for cycling and other sports. I can't understand how Apple does so little with the data they have...

I’m seeing a large drop from 30+ to 12 and that is while exercising more and more! This also coincides with upgrading my Apple Watch from SE to the latest version. There is obviously something wrong with it. Apple needs to fix this quickly!! Expected better.

I too found this thread by searching for the same issue. Right before the pandemic I felt like the injuries that had plagued me for years had healed enough where I could take control of my fitness again. When I started this journey according to my Apple Watch my Heart Health (sudo-VO2 max) was above average/average cusp. Now I have lost over a hundred pounds. Run of hike over hilly terrain 4-5days a week 10-15km. If hiking I carry an extra 35 pounds in a pack. I also lift and do calisthenics 2-3 times a week. When I started on steep hills I almost felt like I could pass out I was so out of shape. Now I charge up 45 degree inclines. Somehow according to health my heart health is almost low and barely in below average. How in god’s name is this even possible. I feel better than ever. My fitness is the same I have when I was in my early twenties. I eat healthy. I can literally watch my health health decline slowly over the last 2 years. It’s a joke.

I’m in the same situation. I was in terrible shape Jan 2024- BPM was 37. Last 4 months I have been training for a 10k, running 3 times a week, lifting, etc in best shape I’ve been in for years and now my BPM is down to 29 with notification from Apple of negative trend. Makes no sense. Following for explanation.

Wondering if anyone has any insight on this issue yet. I have the new Ultra 2 watch and went out on my normal exercise - 4.5 miles walking around the neighborhood and down the road a mile and back - WHILE carrying a 12 pound dumbbell in each hand and curling each dumbbell 600 times and pressing each one overhead 600 times and the Apple Watch says I need to do a more challenging workout. My resting heart rate is 55 and I maintain over 140 for the workout and it drops to 100 for the last mile while I only walk and curl/press 30-40 times. The temp outside is 93F and this is my routine every afternoon I am not tutoring students. I am almost 68 years old and think this is a pretty good work out:)

when I turned 60 I had an actual certified VO2 max test done and I tested at a 51 - which is excellent. So - looks like this is WAY off. I might schedule another one soon just to see where it is in reality:)

This didn’t respond to the question at all.

I’m seeing the exact same phenomenon and found this thread by querying about it. Following for an explanation .

Been having the same thing and decreased significantly since sept. 41 to 18.

I’ve been doing more cardio recently so it doesn’t make sense.

Yeah it makes no sense! Following for resolution

Mine keeps on dropping to from 43 to 13 over the past six months, during which I have been exercising regularly. Quite alarming and annoying at the same time..

I really think Apple Watch readings are messed up and can’t wait to switch to garmin or even something chinese or Korean