Indoor Walk Accuracy Changed

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Level 1

73 points

Indoor Walk Accuracy Changed

I do a lot of indoor walks (treadmill) and compare the distance on the treadmill to that shown on my Apple Watch (series 1). Up until this week the Apple Watch distance was always a bit more (2.6 to 2.7 miles for a 2.5 mile readout on the treadmill) but this week for some reason the watch is a full .2 miles less that the readout on the treadmill. I used to be able to 'play' with the distance by holding on with the hand my watch was on for 1/4 mile or so which balanced out the distance quite nicely but I can't do that any more.

Does anybody know if Apple changed something this past week so the readings changed like I described above? Is there any way to adjust the settings to improve the accuracy?

Tim

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Dec 1, 2016 4:03 PM

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Answer 1

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,021 points

Dec 2, 2016 5:56 PM in response to timadams

Hi

For Indoor Walk workouts, your watch relies on your arm movements (measured by the built-in accelerometer) when estimating results including distance.

It may help to reset any existing calibration data and to recalibrate your watch (which teaches it how your arm movements relate to your stride lengths when walking or running at different speeds).

Instructions for how to reset this data - along with instructions for calibrating your watch - are available via the support article linked below.

Resetting calibration data does not remove any historic Activity or Health data.

When calibrating your watch and during subsequent workouts, be sure to allow your arm to swing naturally when walking, jogging and/or running.

Also check that your personal information is accurate:

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

Work out with your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Use the Activity app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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Answer 2

timadams Author

Level 1

73 points

Dec 2, 2016 6:00 PM in response to Jonathan UK

Thanks Jonathan. I thought there was a way to calibrate but didn't find it when I looked so thought this would be the faster way of getting the info I needed. I know the 'trick' with the arm movement and have gotten used to it but the loss of distance this past week confused me. I even had one outside walk that indicated 1/2 mile when I walked over 3. The total showed up but not in the 'outdoor walk' activity.

Tim

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Answer 3

Dec 3, 2016 10:28 AM in response to timadams

You're calibration for treadmill walks is closer than mine for 5 mile runs. I run 5-6.2 miles outside at least two days a week and usually end up on the treadmill the other day. Every time I run the treadmill (using the indoor setting on the activity app on my Watch Series 2), the distance shown is 3.9 miles. My treadmill (which was tested to be accurate) shows 5 miles. I do run on a 1-1.5 incline, which I don't know if impacts anything). I've used other treadmills and the distance is the same (3.9 miles on a 5 mile treadmill run). Before I purchased this Apple Watch 2, I used a TomTom Spark. The Spark was never fully accurate either, but they had a manual calibration feature which I can't find on the Apple iOS. This, the poor battery life (when compared to other GPS watches), and the Apple Music bug (where it continuously syncs when not attached to the charger after I've gone for a run (without my iPhone with me) and listened to my playlist that is synced onto the watch) are my complaints. That said, it's still the best smart watch out there (and does fine for my half marathon distances IF I turn off the heart monitor or don't listen to songs the entire way.

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Answer 4

timadams Author

Level 1

73 points

Dec 4, 2016 1:23 PM in response to Buckeyeone

Well, pushing 70 and having had a hip replacement a few years back, running is only done if I'm in a burning building or outside being chased by a bear, so I can't comment on your accuracy for indoor running. I did however find that by doing the recalibration bit just before my last indoor walk, my numbers returned to what the had been in past weeks. Why they changed over last weekend I can't say unless I the hit 'indoor walk' activity when I did an 'indoor elliptical' workout. I expect doing something like that could really mess up the calibration. My walking is done at various inclines and I don't notice a difference in distance with them but IF I stop swinging the arm my watch is on (by holding on to the treadmill) my distance does decrease as Jonathan mentioned in his reply. I don't expect that if you're running you're holding on to the arm rest so this shouldn't be the cause of difference in your reading.

I listen to an iPod while walking so haven't seen the bug you mention with the continuously syncing. While I'd like the battery to last years, I've run mine for about 40 hours straight and still had about 20% left when I put it onto the recharger which is better then I thought I might see.

Tim

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Answer 5

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,021 points

Dec 2, 2016 6:08 PM in response to timadams

You're welcome, Tim! 🙂

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