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I have an apple watch first edition. can i add exercise time...my watch doesn't keep track of it well. It also screws up my heart rate

I have an apple watch first edition. It doesn't take my heart rate well at all. Inconsistant readings or no readings at all. I went for a 45 minute walk today and kept my heart rate up and it logged 15 minutes of exercise time. Im at a loss on how to keep wearing this watch if I want to track my activity. Any suggestions from anybody out there?

Posted on Sep 16, 2017 5:52 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Sep 17, 2017 12:46 AM

Hi

1. Exercise credit


To credit progress towards your 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 via the Workout app. Exercise credit is awarded for each minute during which this requirement is met.


It is possible that, during your workouts, you are only meeting that requirement for part of the time and/or your arm movements are not resulting in your activity being tracked accurately.


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.


When recording fitness activities, be sure to use the Workout app (or a third-party app) and to choose the activity type that most closely matches your workout, including choosing Other for workouts that are neither included within nor sufficiently similar to those in the main list. This enables your watch to use the most appropriate sensors and data sources when tracking results.


For example, with Apple Watch (first generation) and Series 1 models, the watch can access Location Services data from the paired iPhone if it is taken along during outdoor walking, running and cycling workouts. Series 2 and Series 3 models have built-in GPS.


During general daily wear and when using the Workout app to record workouts when GPS data is either not relevant or not available (eg Indoor Walk), the Activity app and (for relevant activities) Workout app track your arm motion (measured by the accelerometer) when estimating results including pace and progress towards the Exercise goal.


For the best results, allow the arm on which you are wearing your watch to swing naturally as you move around during daily wear and to move as expected during workouts.


Resetting your existing calibration data and recalibrating 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. (Resetting your calibration data will not erase your Activity history).


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. (Note that neither distance nor a route map are recorded under this workout activity type).


More information:


2. Heart rate


Apple advises that, even under ideal conditions, Apple Watch may not be able to record a reliable heart rate reading every time for everybody.


For the best performance from the heart rate sensor during workouts, ensure that you wear your watch snugly (but not too tightly) on the top of your wrist. Apple suggests that you consider tightening the band before starting a workout and loosening it again afterwards.


The sensor is likely to give better results for workouts that involve rhythmic (eg running) rather than irregular (eg boxing) movements. Other issues that can impact sensor performance include skin perfusion and wrist tattoos:


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


For any workouts that involve flexing your wrists (such as when lifting weights, for example), it may help to move your watch a little higher up your arm, away from the flexing joint. It may also help to clean the back of your Apple Watch:


Cleaning your Apple Watch - Apple Support


If you continue to experience issues with recording your heart rate during workouts, then, for more consistent readings, you may wish to consider pairing an external heart rate monitor / Bluetooth chest strap to your Apple Watch:

Use Bluetooth accessories with your Apple Watch - Apple Support

3. Both


If you are concerned about a possible hardware defect with your Apple Watch, then I suggest that you contact Apple Support (mail-in service may be available, if required), make a Genius Bar reservation or visit an Apple Authorised Service Provider for assistance:


Apple Watch Service Answer Center - Apple Support

1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

Sep 17, 2017 12:46 AM in response to karen7072

Hi

1. Exercise credit


To credit progress towards your 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 via the Workout app. Exercise credit is awarded for each minute during which this requirement is met.


It is possible that, during your workouts, you are only meeting that requirement for part of the time and/or your arm movements are not resulting in your activity being tracked accurately.


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.


When recording fitness activities, be sure to use the Workout app (or a third-party app) and to choose the activity type that most closely matches your workout, including choosing Other for workouts that are neither included within nor sufficiently similar to those in the main list. This enables your watch to use the most appropriate sensors and data sources when tracking results.


For example, with Apple Watch (first generation) and Series 1 models, the watch can access Location Services data from the paired iPhone if it is taken along during outdoor walking, running and cycling workouts. Series 2 and Series 3 models have built-in GPS.


During general daily wear and when using the Workout app to record workouts when GPS data is either not relevant or not available (eg Indoor Walk), the Activity app and (for relevant activities) Workout app track your arm motion (measured by the accelerometer) when estimating results including pace and progress towards the Exercise goal.


For the best results, allow the arm on which you are wearing your watch to swing naturally as you move around during daily wear and to move as expected during workouts.


Resetting your existing calibration data and recalibrating 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. (Resetting your calibration data will not erase your Activity history).


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. (Note that neither distance nor a route map are recorded under this workout activity type).


More information:


2. Heart rate


Apple advises that, even under ideal conditions, Apple Watch may not be able to record a reliable heart rate reading every time for everybody.


For the best performance from the heart rate sensor during workouts, ensure that you wear your watch snugly (but not too tightly) on the top of your wrist. Apple suggests that you consider tightening the band before starting a workout and loosening it again afterwards.


The sensor is likely to give better results for workouts that involve rhythmic (eg running) rather than irregular (eg boxing) movements. Other issues that can impact sensor performance include skin perfusion and wrist tattoos:


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


For any workouts that involve flexing your wrists (such as when lifting weights, for example), it may help to move your watch a little higher up your arm, away from the flexing joint. It may also help to clean the back of your Apple Watch:


Cleaning your Apple Watch - Apple Support


If you continue to experience issues with recording your heart rate during workouts, then, for more consistent readings, you may wish to consider pairing an external heart rate monitor / Bluetooth chest strap to your Apple Watch:

Use Bluetooth accessories with your Apple Watch - Apple Support

3. Both


If you are concerned about a possible hardware defect with your Apple Watch, then I suggest that you contact Apple Support (mail-in service may be available, if required), make a Genius Bar reservation or visit an Apple Authorised Service Provider for assistance:


Apple Watch Service Answer Center - Apple Support

I have an apple watch first edition. can i add exercise time...my watch doesn't keep track of it well. It also screws up my heart rate

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