Janebi1

Q: Apple Watch calorie burn

MY Apple Watch is showing a much lower calorie burn, about half, compared to equipment at my gym and other apps such as Runkeeper. Why is this? I was expecting a difference but not that much. For example of the cross trainer I work out for 40 minutes with my heart beat over 170, the cross trainer says 55o calories, the Runkeeper app is similar and the watch was 240 calories.

Apple Watch, iOS 8.0.2

Posted on May 3, 2015 2:48 AM

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Q: Apple Watch calorie burn

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  • by bobby_d,

     bobby_d bobby_d May 3, 2015 12:22 PM in response to Janebi1
    Level 3 (770 points)
    May 3, 2015 12:22 PM in response to Janebi1

    Greetings Janebi1,

     

    It seems you are concerned about the workout results after using your Apple Watch. The article below may help you calibrate your Apple Watch for better results:

     

    Calibrating your Apple Watch for improved Workout and Activity accuracy - Apple Support

     

    Get the best measurement

    Your Apple Watch will estimate your measurements during workouts based on the information that you entered during setup, but you can further improve its accuracy using these tips:

    • Wearing your Apple Watch regularly can improve the accuracy of the Activity and Workout apps.
    • Choose the Workout that best matches what you’re doing. For example, if you're running on a treadmill, choose Indoor Run.
    • For GPS accuracy when you walk, run, or cycle outdoors, select the appropriate Workout and bring your iPhone. This will also help calibrate the accelerometer in Apple Watch for times when you don’t have GPS, such as during treadmill workouts or when you're running outside without your phone.
    • To get the most accurate heart rate measurement when you use Workout, make sure your Apple Watch fits snugly on top of your wrist. The heart rate sensor should stay close to your skin.
    • You can also use another heart rate monitoring device, such as a chest strap. To pair an external heart rate monitor with your Apple Watch, tap the Settings app on the Home screen, then tap Bluetooth and select it under Health Devices. Learn more about the Apple Watch heart rate sensor, its accuracy, and its limitations.

     

     

    I've included more resources which may help:

     

    Use the Workout app on Apple Watch - Apple Support

     

    Use Activity on Apple Watch - Apple Support

     

     

     

    Thank you for contributing to Apple Support Communities.

     

     

    Best,

    Bobby_D

  • by Janebi1,

    Janebi1 Janebi1 May 3, 2015 9:34 PM in response to bobby_d
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 3, 2015 9:34 PM in response to bobby_d

    sorry but this dors not really help. It does not explain the massive difference in calorie burn usage. I have read all about calibrating etc before I used it. Anyone else found the same ?

  • by nick101,

    nick101 nick101 May 4, 2015 12:46 AM in response to Janebi1
    Level 5 (5,103 points)
    May 4, 2015 12:46 AM in response to Janebi1

    A number of people have reported similar issues. One factor appears to be that the watch separates rating calories (i.e. what your body would have consumed had you done nothing) from active calories (burned because of the exercise), whereas most measurements on other devices combine the two. But that wouldn't explain either the big difference you saw, or the inconsistency that others are seeing.

     

    In my case, the watch and Runkeeper seem to track quite well.

     

    You could try resetting the watch - in some cases, that seems to make a difference.

  • by Lohvarn,

    Lohvarn Lohvarn May 19, 2015 2:25 PM in response to nick101
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Apple Pay
    May 19, 2015 2:25 PM in response to nick101

    The machines do indeed count total calories (metabolic calories + active calories). RunKeeper only displays active calories. The Watch shows both, separately as well as totaled. In my case, The Apple Watch is way, way off, whether RunKeeper and the machine somewhat agree (if I subtract the Watch's estimate of my resting calories from the machine's total calories).

     

    I've had this problem while running outdoors with my iPhone as well, with the Watch estimating a 400 calorie burn for running 50 minutes at an 8:30/mi pace.