apple watch workout is way off on calories

I Have noticed that when I use the 'other' workout type that a 90 minute yoga class, a 90 minute weightlifting session and 90 minutes of sitting watching tv all report a similar level of calories burnt. Not too confident in the watch right now.

Chris -

What you've seen is normal -- if you fall asleep while watching TeeVee, it will also record a workout about the same as a weight lifting session, if you're not doing particular challenging strength training.

"Other" is intended to be a workout which is AT LEAST as intense as a "brisk walk". So, mowing the lawn and climbing up and down a ladder is probably vigorous enough for "Other". And "Pilates" is probably vigorous enough, but 30 miles of Corpse Pose, probably not so much. It's up to you to know that you're going to be putting in a lot of exertion.

That said, I'm also losing faith in "Other" as a workout. I'm adding more stretches and rests into my yoga routine and I'm no longer all that confident in the numbers.

TL;DR - Don't use "Other" unless you plan to sweat.

I Had assumed that the point of the heart rate tracking would be to estimate a calories burn based on activity level. This does not seem to be the case. My Fitbit Charge HR would report different levels of calorie burn for the 3 activity levels - the Apple Watch does not. I do agree with you that the Other category does not seem to inspire much confidence.

I have similar results. Much experience with two different chest straps and other workout tracking.. My watch (Series 2) is snug and is properly set up for my age & weight. I get between 600-700 total calories where I should be getting right at 1000. What I have found is that the heart rate monitor just using the watch itself compares very well with my old trusty chest strap - impressive. Seems the difference is somewhere in the calculations. Hopefully this can be fixed soon.

In response to your comment, "I used the Work out app for Elliptical... after a 40min high intensity work-out, it said I burned around 200 calories... the gym equipment said I burned 450... I am sure the gym equipment isn't totally accurate either, but I would think that I would burn more than 200 if my heart rate was above 150bpm for 40mins. lol"

I'm an Apple Watch convert. Before converting I was using a polar fitness watch with the chest strap heart rate monitor and I tell you, I was very disappointed to see how hard I worked for so little calories burned. and yes my HR stayed well above 150 and still only burned a little over 200 calories. Everything with my equipment was legit, good working order battery good, all good. And when I finished I was like. All this hard work for a measly 240 calories.

I sometimes get discouraged because I'm working so hard and it seems the calories are no moving. Lol

I'm glad I have some exercises I really enjoy doing and the calories are lagniappe!

Less

I will be utilizing a chest strap for a little more accurate reading. So far I find the chest strap to be very helpful. I use three different work out apps and the sources of data are all the same but they don't provide the same info. My step count, active calories and resting calories are all different. Not sure how to untangle that mess. I Used 3 different apps for comparison purposes to, I guess gauge an average. Kinda confusing now!

Same as you. I have just completed a high intensity session, 43 minutes with an average heart beat of 149; 213 calories. I can walk for the same time, with a heart beat of 110 and burn more? But two weeks ago, the same session would burn 522 calories or so.

Please go to https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html to report this problem.

If Apple gets enough people writing in they will address this in a software update sooner rather than later.

The app attempts to calculate calories from your weight and heart rate, so check that their right.

What kind of exercise are you doing, an what did you tell the app you were doing?

Did you see the comments that (for one poster at least), active *plus* resting calories came to about the same as measured elsewhere?

Thank you. I just did that.

We think it might be because I am bigger than her maybe?

You think right. Heavier people will burn more calories doing the same thing.

Where do you wear your watch on your arm? I sweat a ton but have never once had the HR drop out. This is over 10-12 runs and countless walks. I wear tight, clear above my wrist bone.

So why use the word occasionally originally.

I just did. Thanks!