• After more than 15 years covering everything Apple, it’s with a heavy heart we announce that we will no longer be publishing new content on iMore and the iMore forums will be closing as of November 1st, 2024.

Apple Watch as fitness tracker

luv4u859

Active member
Nov 14, 2015
34
0
0
Visit site
I've debated getting the Apple Watch for some time now. I'm really looking for a water that allows smart features as well as a good fitness tracker as well.

If you workout with your AW do you find the HRM in the Watch to be accurate?
 

Just_Me_D

Ambassador Team Leader, Senior Moderator
Moderator
Jan 8, 2012
60,412
882
113
Visit site
It's been awhile since I've worked out, but when I was exercising regularly, the Watch was accurate for the type of exercising I was doing. Anyway, I hope others will respond soon. Take care and enjoy your weekend...��
 

Findoc

New member
Oct 8, 2016
3
0
0
Visit site
Unfortunately, the HRM in Applewatch 1 can be wildly inaccurate. However, the step counter is accurate and can be used to track how far you have run, how long a session is and keep a record of it. The HRM often shows a multiple of the HR, sometimes X 0.5, sometimes X2
 

eyecrispy

iPhone 7, iPad Pro & Apple Watch Champion
Sep 26, 2012
4,278
0
0
Visit site
It's not very accurate. I've been somewhat injured so yesterday, I went to the gym and used the recumbent elliptical. My heart rate never gets elevated on that thing. But yesterday, my AW said my HR was in the 180s and 190s. There is no way!
 

malt1977

Well-known member
Aug 11, 2013
105
0
0
Visit site
I guess there is a few factors that affect the accuracy of the HRM such as how tight the watch is on the wrist etc.

On the whole I've found mine to be accurate enough and gives similar readings to my Polar HRM with chest strap. Having been a competitive cyclist for many years I've got a good idea of what my heart rate should be given the intensity of certain work outs, and to be perfectly honest, it's close enough for me.
 

luv4u859

Active member
Nov 14, 2015
34
0
0
Visit site
I guess there is a few factors that affect the accuracy of the HRM such as how tight the watch is on the wrist etc.

On the whole I've found mine to be accurate enough and gives similar readings to my Polar HRM with chest strap. Having been a competitive cyclist for many years I've got a good idea of what my heart rate should be given the intensity of certain work outs, and to be perfectly honest, it's close enough for me.

I have a polar HRM as well so I'm used to getting that accurate rate. I'm just trying to find something else to stop wearing it. Can be a pain sometimes.
 

StayClassy101

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2013
155
0
0
Visit site
I have the original Apple Watch(not upgraded series 1) and I find the hrm to be quite accurate especially when comparing it with similar workouts and twice wearing the polar sensor giving me the same readings as my watch. I find confidence in its features.
 

luv4u859

Active member
Nov 14, 2015
34
0
0
Visit site
I have the original Apple Watch(not upgraded series 1) and I find the hrm to be quite accurate especially when comparing it with similar workouts and twice wearing the polar sensor giving me the same readings as my watch. I find confidence in its features.

So you are able to pair the HRM to the Apple Watch?
 

tcuprof

Trusted Member
Aug 21, 2015
1,665
186
63
Visit site
I don't know if the HRM is accurate by it seems to be fairly consistent on my runs. Where it does appear to be pretty accurate is resting heart rate - whenever I check that, I get what is pretty close to what I know it should be.
 
Oct 17, 2014
16
0
0
Visit site
It's very accurate if you use it right. I found that when doing a rigorous work out I need to tighten the strap one notch tighter than I normally wear it. The Cleveland Clinic just did a study and rated the Apple Watch as the most accurate wrist wearable.
 

eyecrispy

iPhone 7, iPad Pro & Apple Watch Champion
Sep 26, 2012
4,278
0
0
Visit site
It's very accurate if you use it right. I found that when doing a rigorous work out I need to tighten the strap one notch tighter than I normally wear it. The Cleveland Clinic just did a study and rated the Apple Watch as the most accurate wrist wearable.

Is there an article published by the Cleveland Clinic?
 

RobtRoma

Well-known member
Jul 23, 2011
297
0
0
Visit site
I believe the HRM is fairly accurate in most situations however I didn't have much to compare to other than the MS Band I used to have. When I compared them, they were mostly in sync. I don't think any activity tracker is truly accurate in terms of calorie counts, steps, and other readings. I know my Watch has counted steps while I'm sitting in a car. They are intended to be used as guides and inspiration more than absolute information. With that in mind, they can be and have been useful in tracking health.
 

PAgymteacher

Member
Oct 19, 2016
23
0
0
Visit site
Thanks everyone for sharing. I use fitness trackers in education. While I don't have an Apple Watch, I do have kids use them in school and ask me about them. I appreciate all the feedback everyone mentioned.
 

eyecrispy

iPhone 7, iPad Pro & Apple Watch Champion
Sep 26, 2012
4,278
0
0
Visit site
I can't find a link to their original study but there are many stories citing the study. Here is one
https://www.wareable.com/apple/apple-watch-is-best-for-heart-rate-monitoring-3357

Thanks. I haven't run with my Nike+ AW bc of injury, but i actually think it's measuring my HR too high. For example, I used a recumbent elliptical the last few days since i can't run and it was saying my HR was in the high 150s-160s. That's about what I run when I'm doing a run at a pretty good clip. I definitely did not FEEL like my heart was going that hard. From previous times when I've used this machine, my HR should be in the low 100s.

Anyway, I'm not convinced that it's more accurate than my Fitbit Surge. I'll keep using it and testing it, but I feel like it measure my HR kind of high.
 

PAgymteacher

Member
Oct 19, 2016
23
0
0
Visit site
Thanks for sharing your information. Reading what you posted and being a personal trainer, you are correct to assume 150-160 being on the high range. That is good to know. Although I don't own an Apple Watch, I was curious to hear their reliability.
 

Bill2Bo

Member
Oct 23, 2016
16
0
0
Visit site
I don't know about the Apple Watch, but my buddy tested the Fitbit Charge 2 against his Garmin watch with a chest strap HR monitor.
The Fitbit wasn't as consistent as the chest strap, but over the course of a workout the average HR from the Fitbit was about the same as the Garmin.
 

Latest posts

Trending Posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
262,069
Messages
1,773,542
Members
441,382
Latest member
Mohammadreza