Accuracy of rowing calories burned value

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Level 1

12 points

Accuracy of rowing calories burned value

Using my watch on 5 workout machines at the gym I spend 10 minutes on each machine. On 4 machines (indoor running, indoor cycling, stair stepper & elliptical) the calories burned equates to about 110 to 135. Using the rowing option after 10 minutes of completing 2500m the calories burned is consistently about 85; even though I feel more tired from this one workout. Why is this? My average heart rate is about 145BPM in all the machine workouts. Is the algorithm biased against indoor rowing?

Posted on Mar 6, 2017 5:44 AM

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Answer 1

MrVlk

Level 1

4 points

Oct 9, 2017 1:10 PM in response to jkok1

I suspect that rowing option actually ignores the heart rate when calculating active calories. I have just logged 2 rowing sessions, 10 minutes each. One was slower paced with average heart rate 145bpm, the other one was more intense with increased heart rate (average 170bpm). Calories burned are basically identical, higher intensity didn’t make a difference.

When I run outdoors, calories burned are more than 2x higher compared to rowing (devided by time). Running definitely burns more calories as far as I know, however I don’t believe it’s over 2x more... sure feels almost the same.

Hopefully this is just a bug and Apple will fix it. I am considering using “Other” workout type to log rowing for the time being. It looks like it’s more generous when counting active calories.

Rowing workout seems almost like an afterthought to me. It’s a shame. It would be nice to have SPM or maybe even a distance estimate...

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Answer 2

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Mar 6, 2017 5:54 AM in response to jkok1

Hi

Apple has not published details of the calorie calculation algorithms for different activity types.

Activity app and Workout app estimations depend, in part, on your personal information. To check that this has been entered accurately and to update it over time:

On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch > Health > Edit (upper-right).

If you have not yet done so, it may also help to calibrate your Apple Watch:

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

For the best performance from the heart rate sensor (data from which is used when estimating calories for workouts), ensure that you are wearing your watch snugly on the top of your wrist. Apple suggests that you consider tightening the band before starting a workout and loosening it again afterwards:

Your heart rate. What it means, and where on Apple Watch you’ll find it. - Apple Support

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