Powerzap

Q: Apple Watch - Exercise Ring Not Updating

Hi there. Just today, I've been having issues with my Apple Watch Sport (Series 1) running watchOS3 which concerned the Workout and Activity App.

 

Today, I went for an Outdoor Cycle which I tracked on my Apple Watch (I brought my iPhone with me). I finished the workout and saved it. In total, I had exercised for 53 minutes, however, it did not count towards my Activity.

 

In Activity, it is telling me I've only done 26/30 minutes of exercise, even though at the bottom it says "Outdoor Cycle - 8.67km".

 

I called Apple Support, but they just told me to unpair and re-pair my watch, which didn't help. I was told they were "upgrading their tools" and therefore couldn't diagnose my problem, so they told me to call back tomorrow.

 

Why I'm posting here today is just to find out if anyone else has experienced this, and if you know how to fix it. All help is appreciated.

 

Thanks!

Apple Watch, watchOS 3

Posted on Sep 25, 2016 4:35 AM

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Q: Apple Watch - Exercise Ring Not Updating

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  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Sep 25, 2016 4:42 AM in response to Powerzap
    Level 8 (38,302 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 25, 2016 4:42 AM in response to Powerzap

    Hi

     

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

     

    Exercise credit is awarded for each full minute during which this requirement is met. It is possible that not all of your cycling workout met this requirement.

     

    The definition of a brisk walk varies from person to person and depends 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.

     

    Apple Watch uses different sensors and data sources to track the results of workouts, depending on the activity type. For example, with Apple Watch (first generation) and Series 1 models, the watch can access GPS data from the paired iPhone if it is taken along during outdoor walking, running and cycling workouts. (Series 2 has built-in GPS).

     

    Calibrating your watch can improve the accuracy of estimations made by Activity app and Workout app. More information and instructions for calibrating your watch are available via the link below. The article also includes instructions for resetting existing calibration data and starting afresh.

     

    If you would prefer to receive Exercise credit for the full duration of your workouts, regardless of their estimated intensity levels, track them via the Workout app using "Other" as the activity type. This will credit one minute of Exercise for each full minute of the workout. Active calories will be estimated at a rate equivalent to a brisk walk or based on data recorded by the heart rate sensor, whichever is higher.

     

    More information:

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Sep 25, 2016 4:57 AM in response to Powerzap
    Level 10 (108,560 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 25, 2016 4:57 AM in response to Powerzap

    The custom workout "Other" as Jonathan suggested at the end of his reply, is the only reliable way to ensure that each and every minute of your cycling workout will count reliably towards the Activity ring, when you are cycling, other than ignoring all traffic lights or the traffic conditions and never slowing down, even if if the traffic requires it.

     

    You can rename the workout when you save it. There is however no custom template for Cycling, so pick a workout type, that indicates some outdoor activity and will allow you to recognize the kind of workout.

  • by Powerzap,

    Powerzap Powerzap Sep 25, 2016 5:16 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 25, 2016 5:16 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    Thank you for this information.

     

    Just a question I have, could it be the fact that this is the first time I brought my phone with me? Is it possible that after reading all of my information like distance (8.67km), calories (481kJ active, 804kJ total), time (53:00) and average speed (9.8km/h), the watch came to the conclusion that I have only done 26 minutes of active, full-on exercise, especially if I had only done around 15 minutes of exercise before the workout? Also, does not taking your iPhone with you when doing exercise just consider the total time you used in the workout rather than considering GPS and other information that you'd have when you bring your iPhone? Thanks!

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Sep 25, 2016 5:17 AM in response to Powerzap
    Level 8 (38,302 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 25, 2016 5:17 AM in response to Powerzap

    The Activity app estimates whether the requirement has been met for each separate minute of the day and credits Exercise progress accordingly.

     

    The total shown in the Activity app therefore covers both any workouts and general daily wear.

  • by Powerzap,

    Powerzap Powerzap Sep 25, 2016 5:18 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 25, 2016 5:18 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    So you are saying that just because I did 53 minutes of cycling in the Workout app, doesn't necessarily mean I've actually done 53 minutes of active, total exercise (counting to the Activity App)?

  • by Powerzap,

    Powerzap Powerzap Sep 25, 2016 5:20 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 25, 2016 5:20 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    (Sorry, didn't mean to double-post, was an accident).

  • by Jonathan UK,Solvedanswer

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Sep 25, 2016 5:21 AM in response to Powerzap
    Level 8 (38,302 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 25, 2016 5:21 AM in response to Powerzap

    Powerzap wrote:

     

    So you are saying that just because I did 53 minutes of cycling in the Workout app, doesn't necessarily mean I've actually done 53 minutes of active, total exercise (counting to the Activity App)?

     

    Correct - the intensity level needs to be at or above the minimum required level for the full duration of any given minute of the workout in order for Exercise credit to be awarded for that specific minute.