Apple Watch not counting correct calories when exercising

Hi

It is not possible to manually calibrate Apple Watch to an elliptical machine's reported results.

When comparing calorie data recorded by different devices and their apps, keep in mind that Apple Watch reports active energy / calories, whereas many other fitness devices and apps report total energy (resting + active calories).

Apple Watch can pair and sync with compatible gym equipment, by following the instructions here:

Use gym equipment with Apple Watch

The following steps may otherwise help:

If you have not yet done so, update your iPhone and Apple Watch to the latest software, starting with your iPhone:

• Update the iOS on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
• Update your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Calorie estimations depend, in part, on your personal information. To check that this remains accurate:

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

When recording specific fitness activities, be sure to use the Workout app (or a third-party app that shares data to Health) and to choose the activity type that most closely matches your workout. Options in the Workout app include Elliptical:

• Work out with your Apple Watch - Apple Support
• Elliptical

If results estimated by a third-party app appear to be inaccurate, then, in addition to following the suggestions here, I suggest that you consult the developer's support resources and/or contact them for assistance.

Calibrate your Apple Watch, including resetting any existing calibration data, by following the instructions here:

• Calibrating your Apple Watch for improved Workout and Activity accuracy - Apple Support
• Resetting your calibration data can be equally as helpful for Series 2 & 3 models and will not erase your Activity history.

For the best results when recording relevant workouts, allow the arm on which you are wearing your watch to move as expected.

• For workouts where GPS data is not relevant, but arm movement is (such as treadmill walks / runs), the Activity app and Workout app track your arm motion (measured by the accelerometer) when estimating results.

For the best performance from the heart rate sensor (data from which is used when estimating calories) during workouts, ensure that you wear 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.
• Wearing your Apple Watch - Apple Support

If the issue persists, then you may wish to contact Apple Support for further assistance:

• US: Apple Watch Service Answer Center - Apple Support
• Elsewhere: Apple - Support

More information:

Get the most accurate measurements using your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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

I found that the elliptical as well as other workout machines include resting calories as well as active calories. That is the reason the machine asks you for your weight and age. While you workout on the elliptical compare the total calories (not active. Calories) on you Watch workout with the elliptical . While they will not be spot-on they will be closer.

As advised in my previous reply:

Jonathan UK wrote:

When comparing calorie data recorded by different devices and their apps, keep in mind that Apple Watch reports active energy / calories, whereas many other fitness devices and apps report total energy (resting + active calories).

There is really nothing you can do. The elliptical machine uses a different algorithm than the watch to calculate calories.