gmair55

Q: IWatch workout app

I was suspicious of the accuracy of this workout app so I just did a little test. Sitting at my desk I turned on the indoor cycling workout and it started crediting me with calories burned at  a high rate. 60 calories for 10 minutes and I am doing nothing. As soon as I stop the workout id drops to almost nothing which is what I would expect as I am stationery. With the cycle workout turned on it also gave me credit for exercise yet when I actually go out walking I get very little credit for exercise and the calories burned is a lower rate than me sitting at my desk. Makes no sense to me.Anyone have any ideas or an explanation ?? Guess that is why I can't give up my fitbit.

Apple Watch, iOS 9.3.3

Posted on Aug 6, 2016 5:46 PM

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Q: IWatch workout app

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Jonathan UK,Apple recommended

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Aug 7, 2016 2:26 AM in response to gmair55
    Level 7 (31,031 points)
    Apple Watch
    Aug 7, 2016 2:26 AM in response to gmair55

    Hi

     

    When you track an activity using the Workout app and specify an activity type, your watch uses the most appropriate sensors and data sources to estimate the results of that workout.

     

    For example, when recording an Outdoor Run:

     

    • If you also take your iPhone along (with Location Services and Bluetooth enabled), your watch can access GPS data from the iPhone when estimating pace and distance.
    • If you do not take your iPhone along, the watch relies on data from the built-in accelerometer when estimating pace and distance.
    • Data from the heart rate sensor is used when estimating Active Calories, including calculations that are tailored to the different activity types.

     

    Calibrating your watch helps to improve the accuracy of various estimations made by the Activity app and Workout app. More information and instructions for calibrating your watch (including for resetting any existing calibration data and starting afresh) are available via the link below.

     

    Estimations of results also depend on your personal information. To check that this is accurate - and to update it over time:

     

    • On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch tab > Health > Edit - tap and adjust items, then tap on Done.

     

    More information:

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

    Use the Activity app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

    Use the Workout app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

  • by Jonathan UK,Apple recommended

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Aug 7, 2016 2:31 AM in response to gmair55
    Level 7 (31,031 points)
    Apple Watch
    Aug 7, 2016 2:31 AM in response to gmair55

    gmair55 wrote:

     

    .. With the cycle workout turned on it also gave me credit for exercise yet when I actually go out walking I get very little credit for exercise and the calories burned is a lower rate than me sitting at my desk. Makes no sense to me. ..

     

    To credit progress towards your daily Exercise goal, the Activity app aims to identify activity that equals or exceeds the intensity of a brisk walk. This requirement applies both during general daily wear and when recording workouts (of whatever type) via the Workout app.

     

    It is possible that you are not meeting this requirement for the full duration of your outdoor walks.

     

    The definition of a brisk walk depends on your personal information. To check that this is accurate, follow the steps in my previous reply.

     

    During general daily wear and when using the Workout app to record Indoor Walk, Indoor Run and certain outdoor workouts when the iPhone is not taken along, the Activity app and Workout app rely on arm motion (measured by the accelerometer) to track movement for the purpose of estimating results including progress towards the Exercise goal.

     

    For the best results, try to allow the arm on which you are wearing your watch to swing naturally including when you move around during the day, during calibration (see my previous reply) and during workouts (where relevant to the activity type).

  • by gmair55,

    gmair55 gmair55 Aug 7, 2016 8:59 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Watch
    Aug 7, 2016 8:59 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    Calibration is done and personal information is correct.

    The issue as I mentioned is that I get more credit for sitting at my desk that I get for actually working out. If the app is that easy to fool how can I have any confidence in the numbers. How can sitting at my desk generate active calories. Also the watch reports much more efficient calories burn and exercise  minutes for cycling indoors than it does for walking outdoors. In both cases I am at a slow pace with heart rate at about 109 but the indoor cycling give me credit for minutes exercised  while the outdoor walking does not yet the intensity is the same. That cannot be correct

  • by Jonathan UK,Apple recommended

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Aug 7, 2016 9:03 AM in response to gmair55
    Level 7 (31,031 points)
    Apple Watch
    Aug 7, 2016 9:03 AM in response to gmair55

    Exercise credit for walking workouts is based on your pace.

  • by FlyrodSteve,

    FlyrodSteve FlyrodSteve Aug 9, 2016 5:26 PM in response to gmair55
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 9, 2016 5:26 PM in response to gmair55

    I have to agree with gmair55.  On 2 separate days, I completed a 20 and a 30 minute exercise using a Concept2 indoor rowing machine (ergometer).  I'm not in shape (using the erg to lose weight and get in shape).  My heart rate was 143 max, 135 average.  I received "1 minute" of exercise credit.  Are you kidding me?  I was breathing heavy, sweaty, etc.  How can that 20 or 30 minute workout only be worth 1 minute credit?  I'm going to have to find another app to record this (perhaps Cyclemeter that I downloaded a few days ago for bike rides).  I'm also going to hook up my Polar heart monitor to compare to the iWatch during ergometer workouts as I'm losing faith in the iWatch.