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Apple watch doesn't record my walks as an activity/exercise/etc.

When I go to Workout and select Outdoor Walk, then walk, none of the minutes get added to my daily exercise tally. I can walk for 10 minutes or an hour, but it doesn't matter. Why? My husband will do the same walk with me and his Apple watch records just fine. We both have Series 5 (GPS + Cellular) watches. What is going on and why don't my walks count as activity but my husband's walks do?


Posted on Aug 3, 2021 12:07 PM

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7 replies

Aug 3, 2021 1:10 PM in response to TooManyQuestions13

A brisk walk speed is different for everybody as the watch takes into account your age,sex,weight and heart rate which is why it is important to calibrate the watch,the idea being that you're being encouraged to put more effort in to walk faster and to get your heart beating faster, if you just walk at a slow pace then you are not going to improve your fitness or get all those award badges that we all seek.


Aug 3, 2021 1:25 PM in response to TooManyQuestions13

This article is pretty informative: https://appletoolbox.com/how-does-the-apple-watch-count-exercise-minutes/#:~:text=Apple%20says%20your%20Apple%20Watch%20is%20looking%20for,from%20anything%20over%20and%20including%20a%20brisk%20walk.


The real factor in determining whether something is exercise or not is getting your heart rate up during activity.


From the article: "In general, your Apple Watch is looking for an elevated heart rate while sensing movement."


"Elevated" for you, might not be the same as "elevated" for your husband.

Make sure you've entered all of your information accurately (height, weight, age, etc).

Apple watch doesn't record my walks as an activity/exercise/etc.

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