Accelerometer/Activity Monitor question

[hologram]

How does the accelerometer work? if I’m carrying a box with both hands and my arms aren’t moving like they would when walking normally, does that affect how the watch tracks activity? Or walking a dog when holding the leash in the watch hand and keeping that arm stationary?

It’s my first AW, and I was just wondering if it makes any difference.

 

[Julien]

Accelerometers work by measuring acceleration forces from a change in direction to another direction. Like an arm swing from front to back.

 

[hologram]

So in other words, it doesn’t measure movement if you walk a mile carrying anything that keeps your watch arm from moving? Maybe I should strap it to my ankle

 

[millerj123]

So in other words, it doesn’t measure movement if you walk a mile carrying anything that keeps your watch arm from moving? Maybe I should strap it to my ankle

You'll still get GPS and heart rate for movement, but it won't be able to measure steps. My wife and I no longer hold hands when exercise walking, and only hold our dog's leash in our dominant hands for this very reason. We could put our watches on our other hand, but I never have.

 

[hologram]

You'll still get GPS and heart rate for movement, but it won't be able to measure steps. My wife and I no longer hold hands when exercise walking, and only hold our dog's leash in our dominant hands for this very reason. We could put our watches on our other hand, but I never have.

Thanks, that’s what I wanted to know.