Resting calorie counted as active during workout!

Question

Level 1

8 points

Resting calorie counted as active during workout!

Problem : When you select activity like strength training or anything not distance based Watch awards 4 active calories per minute even if watch is resting on table! Leave it on table for 25 min and it will record 100 active calorie!

Tried explaining this to apple support but they insist this is how it is designed, but here is how it is incorrect

Awarding active calorie while resting does not encourage activity
100 active calorie gained by doing work out with 10KG weight over 10min is not same as 25 min of doing with 1kg may be doing a single set!

Because of this I find it hard to judge how good my activity is, not clear how intense I worked out as it mixed with resting calorie count. I thing resting calories should go to Total calorie and not active calorie like it does for outdoor work out.

Here is how you can find out how much active calorie you have burned.

Reduce 4*activity time from your workout calorie summary

Actual active calorie = Total active calorie - (4 * activity time)

WATCH SERIES 3 (GPS) ALUM 38MM, watchOS 4.2, Resting calorie added to active

Posted on Jan 1, 2018 2:07 AM

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Answer 1

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Jan 2, 2018 6:14 AM in response to Dennysv

The results shown in your video are entirely consistent with the explanation that I have provided to you.

When recording an "Other" workout, Apple Watch credits active calories at either a) a rate equivalent to a brisk walk or b) based on data recorded by the heart rate sensor, whichever is higher.

This workout type is suitable for use during, for example, yoga or pilates workouts, when little or no movement may be involved for extended periods of time.

For the main activity types - such as Indoor Walk, Outdoor Run, etc - other sensors are used to identify activity, so active calories will not be earned unless movement is detected accordingly.

Your video also shows total calories being recorded, over time, at a higher level than active calories - which is because the total calories include both the active calories from the workout and resting calories.

More information:

Work out with your Apple Watch - Apple Support

About workout types

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

If you need further assistance with this, then I suggest that you contact Apple Support:

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Answer 2

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Jan 2, 2018 6:43 AM in response to Dennysv

Dennysv wrote:

If you notice the video watch is resting on Gel pad on desk and still detecting hear beat and awarding calorie!

I appreciate that. However, as I have already explained (twice):

Jonathan UK wrote:

When recording an "Other" workout, Apple Watch credits active calories at either a) a rate equivalent to a brisk walk or b) based on data recorded by the heart rate sensor, whichever is higher.

Heart rate is recorded continuously during workouts, so if you start a workout without wearing your Apple Watch, then it will still try to measure it. Even if it cannot measure your heart rate, active calories will still be credited during an Other workout.

Strength Training (your example) is one of various labels that are available when naming an Other workout. Previously saved Other workouts can become available to select from the activities list in the Workout app, complete with their labels. So your example is still an Other workout, even though it has a different name.

Apple has not published details of the algorithms that are used when estimating active calories.

For further assistance, I suggest that you contact Apple Support.

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Answer 3

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Jan 1, 2018 2:48 AM in response to Dennysv

Hi

When recording a workout via the Workout app, be sure to choose the activity type that most closely matches your workout. This enables your Apple Watch to use the most appropriate sensors and data sources when estimating the results, including using tailored calorie calculations for preset activity types.

For activities that are not included within the list or that are not sufficiently similar, record your workout under "Other".

For Other workouts, Apple Watch credits one minute of Exercise for each full minute of the workout. Active calories for Other workouts are estimated at a rate equivalent to a brisk walk or based on data recorded by the heart rate sensor, whichever is higher. However, note that neither distance nor a route map are recorded for outdoor workouts under this workout activity type.

Upon ending the workout, tap on the option to Name Workout. Available labels include a wide range of additional sports / activities.

"Other" workouts that have previously been named will become available to repeat within the Workout app, complete with their previously selected naming label.

More information:

Work out with your Apple Watch - Apple Support

About workout types

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Answer 4

Dennysv Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 1, 2018 10:11 AM in response to Jonathan UK

Thanks Jonathan, however still not convinced resting adding resting calorie as active calorie is right.

When doing outdoor push, it registers no resting calorie and provides proper result. When you stop moving it stop adding calories unless it is above resting hear rate.

Yes I know it is different for internal work out, consider following

1. Doing strength work out with 10kg 5 sets, done intense for 10min to gain 100 active calorie.

2. Doing same strength work out with 1kg 1 set over 25 min also gets 100 Active calorie due to resting calorie

Do you think both actually burned same calorie? 2nd option calorie burn would have happened even if you done nothing. How does it encourage anyone to work out harder?

Person 1 burned 100 + 15*4 = 160C at least in that 25 min, compared to person 2 doing total 100C. But both recorded same! When end of day both person reach calorie goals, who did better?

In my view resting calories should be recorded as part of "total calorie" not active calorie. This way person have better idea about effect of exercise.

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Answer 5

Dennysv Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 2, 2018 6:03 AM in response to Jonathan UK

Well if not adding resting calories not sure how 4 calorie per min can be explained. Yes we use calorie as part of living, but why only recorded in Indoor activity and not for outdoor. For eg walking will not register any calorie unless person moves.

Here is video of how my watch is adding active calorie while resting on Desk !

Apple Watch Series 3 Activity tracker - YouTube

If adding this resting calorie "what ever is called" it should be consistent for all work outs. Otherwise it will award more calorie for indoor sitting than walking!

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Answer 6

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Jan 1, 2018 5:35 PM in response to Dennysv

Dennysv wrote:

.. In my view resting calories should be recorded as part of "total calorie" not active calorie.

They already are.

Resting calories do not form part of the active calories reported by Apple Watch.

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Answer 7

Dennysv Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 2, 2018 6:25 AM in response to Jonathan UK

If you notice the video watch is resting on Gel pad on desk and still detecting hear beat and awarding calorie!

Yes understand if Yoga or other selected calorie awarded. Here I am selecting strength work out, and like I mentioned above scenario 1 and 2, how can 2 of them be awarded same? The goal is to work out and gain calorie burn, not for resting.

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