How can I get Cardio Fitness to be calculated again?

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Level 1

36 points

How can I get Cardio Fitness to be calculated again?

Cardio Fitness is no longer being calculated/recorded on my iPhone in the Health app. There are no other Health app functions (e.g. Cardio Recovery, Resting HR, Active Energy, Steps) that are experiencing this problem. I frequently use the Outdoor Walk workout and walk at a pace of about 18 min/mile, which I believe Apple counts as brisk. Any thoughts on how to get this back? iPhone and Apple Watch operating systems are up to date.

iPhone 13 Pro

Posted on Mar 13, 2026 9:27 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Ingo2711

Community+ 2026

Level 10

80,925 points

Mar 13, 2026 12:07 PM in response to Kloochman

I guess, you have already try to force restart your iPhone and Apple Watch?

Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

To force restart your watch, press and hold the Digital Crown and the Side button together for about 10sec, until the Apple logo comes back again.

If this does not work, and to rule out a software issue, erase the watch and pair it again, setting it up as a new device. You will only lose your created Watch faces and may have to activate the cards in your Wallet app again.

Then check the cardio fitness data in the Health App again, after recording an Outdoor Walk or Outdoor Run.

Unpair and erase your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Mar 13, 2026 9:41 AM in response to Kloochman

It will take more than one workout, until a VO2max can be estimated by the Health App:

...

It can take at least 24 hours of wearing your Apple Watch, followed by several Outdoor Walk, Outdoor Run, or Hiking workouts* and passive measurements with your Apple Watch before you receive an initial estimate.

If the Health app detects that your previous cardio fitness estimates could be more accurate, you'll have the option to update your data. In Cardio Fitness, tap Update under Update Your Data. After you update, the Cardio Fitness Data Updated notification shows you the results of the update and how your estimates changed.

...

copied from: Track your cardio fitness levels - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Kloochman Author

Level 1

36 points

Mar 13, 2026 9:57 AM in response to Ingo2711

I guess I should have been more explicit. I've had the watch for several years. I've used the workout function hundreds of times in that period, often outdoor walk, outdoor run or hiking. I probably do an outdoor walk at least 3/week. Just this last week I've recorded 5 outdoor walks. In October of 2025 it stopped calculating/recording the Cardio Fitness. I did just run the data update hoping that would get it to calculate Cardio Fitness retroactively, to no effect.

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Answer 4

Kloochman Author

Level 1

36 points

Mar 14, 2026 9:53 AM in response to Ingo2711

Ingo2711 Thanks! That worked. All the Cardio Fitness data showed up retroactively. I did only a standard restart of my iPhone rather than the force restart, but other than that I did just what you said. Like so many computer/device problems, restart is the answer. :-)

Thanks again.

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Answer 5

Mar 14, 2026 10:30 AM in response to Kloochman

You're welcome 🙂

Enjoy your workouts again!

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