So you’re on your fitness journey, and you’ve bought new workout clothes for motivation, the yoga mat is out, and the Apple Watch is on your wrist, ready to go. And you’re wondering what workout would fast-track my weight loss journey?
Is there a particular exercise that burns more calories than the others on the long list of workouts in my Apple Watch? Let’s find out!
Top Calorie-Burning Exercises Tracked by Apple Watch
The amount of calories burned depends on individual to individual, based on various factors such as their age, sex, weight, height, etc. This personal data is taken by Apple in their health app, which is used to determine the amount of calories burned.
1. Running
The top calorie-burning exercise, in general as well as on the Apple Watch, is running. The amount of calories burned would be different for different people, but as a ballpark, running burns around 10.8-16 calories per minute.
2. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
As the name suggests, HIIT workouts are the best if you have little time but need more out of your workout. Normally, a HIIT session burns around 13-18 calories per minute, depending on the intensity.
3. Jump Rope
Jump rope is my personal favourite to burn so many calories in around half an hour. It not only takes me back to childhood, but it is also a great high-intensity workout.
4. Cycling
Cycling is generally a great way to burn calories, whether indoors or outdoors. The Apple Watch also uses GPS location while outdoor cycling, thereby increasing the calorie tracking accuracy.
5. Stair Master
My love-hate relationship with the stair master will always be eternal. People have reported burning around 400-700 calories in a 40-minute workout with the stairmaster. Personally, I have never been able to endure it for as long.
Is the Apple Watch Calorie Tracking Accurate?
The Apple Watch calculates calories burned using a combination of heart rate, motion sensors, and personal information such as age, sex, weight, and height. It is generally pretty accurate for steady-state cardio exercises such as running and walking, with the accuracy ranging within a 5% margin.
For workouts that involve more movement, such as HIIT, swimming, or weightlifting, the accuracy may decrease. Especially for swimming, the water may create a barrier between the sensors if not worn properly, leading to an inaccurate reading.
Tips to Enhance Calorie Tracking Accuracy on Apple Watch
- Regularly update your personal information on the Health app, such as weight, height, age, etc.
- Ensure a snug fit of the watch on your wrist, not too tight and not too loose.
- Choose the correct workout from the Workout app before starting. If the workout is not mentioned, choose one that is closest to the workout you’re doing.
- Regularly calibrate your Apple Watch to improve accuracy.
Wrap Up
Running, HIIT, jumping rope, swimming, and cycling are great forms of exercise that can burn plenty of calories. However, the calorie tracking on your Apple Watch will still depend on various other factors such as the kind of workout you choose, your personal information, and the fit of the watch on your wrist.
Knowing some of these details and optimizing your watch settings can ensure you get the most out of your workout and track your progress.
