Are you healthier since buying the Apple Watch?

[nickdalzell1]

I guess it which country you live in. In the UK and Europe as a whole we have been using electronic payment methods (chip and pin, contactless) for a lot longer than the US. In the early days of Apple Pay, it occasionally did not work. However these days, it works just about everywhere. it’s got to the point that I almost never bother to take my wallet with me and just pay for everything using the watch. I don’t even use cash anymore. COVID has accelerated cashless payments as many places now don’t like to accept cash.

We got folks everywhere using chip cards. I always hate it. Takes forever and I hate always being behind 'that guy' who has to redo it over and over again.

What's rare (at least in Kentucky, it varies by state--in Tennessee, there are NFC readers at coke machines) is NFC itself. Even where it's active, apparently clerks don't know about it, or got false beliefs about it (managers yelling 'we don't take APPLE PAY!!!' even though the terminal shows the logo for Apple, Google, and Samsung Pay. But they say 'we never get our money! you can't use that here!)

In rural areas it's simple technophobia. Go to a gas station in the middle of nowhere near Marion, KY (where 'mechanic on duty' signs still persist) and attempt to pay your gas with your watch they tell you to leave as they think you're 'hacking'.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Exercising more. From zero to a good hour a day.
Step count has doubled.
Lost a stone. Lightest I’ve ever been as an adult. Wish I’d bought one years ago.

 

[jinzhouy]

I exercise before using aw, but not as regularly as now. I play badminton and it exhausts you easily. After monitoring (also encouraging) myself with aw exercises like squat and rope skipping, my leg strength is clearly improved and I can play much better in badminton, although not so much in hand techniques.

 

[nickdalzell1]

Just noticed during the weekend that cycling detection either doesn't work or doesn't exist. Kinda sucks since I rode my bike 13 miles and got ZERO credit for it. Didn't even budge the move ring, much less the exercise ring.

 

[Howard2k]

We got folks everywhere using chip cards. I always hate it. Takes forever and I hate always being behind 'that guy' who has to redo it over and over again.

What's rare (at least in Kentucky, it varies by state--in Tennessee, there are NFC readers at coke machines) is NFC itself. Even where it's active, apparently clerks don't know about it, or got false beliefs about it (managers yelling 'we don't take APPLE PAY!!!' even though the terminal shows the logo for Apple, Google, and Samsung Pay. But they say 'we never get our money! you can't use that here!)

In rural areas it's simple technophobia. Go to a gas station in the middle of nowhere near Marion, KY (where 'mechanic on duty' signs still persist) and attempt to pay your gas with your watch they tell you to leave as they think you're 'hacking'.

I drove down from Toronto down to Memphis, and the number of surprised looks and comments I got paying with tap. So many people said “how did you do that?” or “I didn’t know we had that feature”. 😀


Not a knock on rural America, it was a SUPERB trip.

 

[NT1440]

Just noticed during the weekend that cycling detection either doesn't work or doesn't exist. Kinda sucks since I rode my bike 13 miles and got ZERO credit for it. Didn't even budge the move ring, much less the exercise ring.

Definitely something wrong. I bike 3-4 times a week and always record my rides. I use the open bike goal because I’m not a metrics guy but it works every time. As dumb as this sounds, reboot your watch. If it doesn’t work contact Apple.

 

[nickdalzell1]

Under the workout detection settings it just says it's for walking, swimming, rowing, or elliptical. Series 5 BTW, maybe it's not supported to detect cycling? I know I can start a workout manually which I would have done if I knew ahead of time it wouldn't detect my 13 mile ride.

Also, did I just fail to meet the criteria? such as say ride a specific MPH? I didn't want to wear myself out so I never exceeded 6 MPH. I'm a relaxed cruiser not a racer.

 

[nickdalzell1]

I drove down from Toronto down to Memphis, and the number of surprised looks and comments I got paying with tap. So many people said “how did you do that?” or “I didn’t know we had that feature”. 😀


Not a knock on rural America, it was a SUPERB trip.

Oh, when I used Apple Pay that happened. Sometimes it impresses folks. But given Samsung Pay works without NFC I apparently freaked out a few out there in the rural areas since my Gear S3 Classic has the ability to work without needing NFC, given it has MST support. Now THAT caused some issues and got one call to the police at a Foodland/IGA (had to leave my full cart behind too).

Once, I brought down the entire electronic payment system at a Lowe's in the city--every terminal just error'd and rebooted. Needless to say I wasn't popular that day--and it was the LAST time I used Samsung Pay. Doesn't like Ingenico terminals, apparently.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Under the workout detection settings it just says it's for walking, swimming, rowing, or elliptical. Series 5 BTW, maybe it's not supported to detect cycling? I know I can start a workout manually which I would have done if I knew ahead of time it wouldn't detect my 13 mile ride.

Also, did I just fail to meet the criteria? such as say ride a specific MPH? I didn't want to wear myself out so I never exceeded 6 MPH. I'm a relaxed cruiser not a racer.

You can add exercise types in the app on your iPhone.
And yes if it’s a very gentle ride it might not give you credit. But that will be based on your fitness level and age.

 

[hippyeverafter]

Before being imprisoned, sorry locked down from March last year I was going to the gym 3 times a week. As I could not go to the gym started walking up to an hour and a half at least 5 times a week until boredom set in and stopped for a short while then resumed but not as long as before, on average one hour. Now here's the thing looking at the stats on my phone, while I was going to the gym was burning around 5,500 calories a month and since I have been walking on average 10,000 calories. have I lost weight, No. As a 6 foot 1 inch 13.5 stone 68 year old I am beginning to wonder whether it's worth the effort and should just instead enjoy life without worrying about a few calories here or a few steps there?. Would I go back to the gym, maybe but not at the moment and not until at least it opens unrestricted as before, I do miss the interaction with fellow members though. There's no doubt the Apple Watch can be a great motivator but exercising on ones own becomes boring and demoralising. Just my thoughts.

 

[mrsmith1]

Yes I think I am. My watch makes me more aware and focused on exercising and diet. My wife and me both subscribe to a calorie counter app and have lost weight. I have got a Couch to 5k app on my phone and went on my first run in ages yesterday.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Before being imprisoned, sorry locked down from March last year I was going to the gym 3 times a week. As I could not go to the gym started walking up to an hour and a half at least 5 times a week until boredom set in and stopped for a short while then resumed but not as long as before, on average one hour. Now here's the thing looking at the stats on my phone, while I was going to the gym was burning around 5,500 calories a week and since I have been walking on average 10,000 calories. have I lost weight, No. As a 6 foot 1 inch 13.5 stone 68 year old I am beginning to wonder whether it's worth the effort and should just instead enjoy life without worrying about a few calories here or a few steps there?. Would I go back to the gym, maybe but not at the moment and not until at least it opens unrestricted as before, I do miss the interaction with fellow members though. There's no doubt the Apple Watch can be a great motivator but exercising on ones own becomes boring and demoralising. Just my thoughts.

But isn’t one of the benefits is you can compare your workouts etc with friends? Of course having only one friend with an AW isn’t great! But then I only have 3 friends!

 

[hippyeverafter]

But isn’t one of the benefits is you can compare your workouts etc with friends? Of course having only one friend with an AW isn’t great! But then I only have 3 friends!

None of my friends or family is remotely interested in keeping fit and healthy. The only exercise they get is walking to the local shop or Pub to get their cigarettes and Booz. I must be from a different gene pool.

 

[iSayuSay]

Thanks to apple watch and its damn activity rings gamification, I managed to lose from 240lbs down to 135lbs. It’s a tool just like others say. But the gamification works and it’s continued to be my daily routine. Also the resting heart rate is getting lower over time.. Used to be around 80bpm, and now it’s in the low 50s while I’m being a couch potato. Never had that before!

Initially I barely able to complete a mile run, now I do 10K comfortably, 4-5 times a week on a 6-7mins mile. That with 3 resistance sessions per week make it a full body transformation. Of course it’s up to me but the Watch helps monitor my progress, hence the sustainable motovation to do more, and long term result.

 

[MisterSavage]

But isn’t one of the benefits is you can compare your workouts etc with friends? Of course having only one friend with an AW isn’t great! But then I only have 3 friends!

That can also be a negative thing. I started a walking workout and came back inside because it was raining. I got some ribbing from a friend from taking such a tiny "walk".

 

[SuperCachetes]

Maybe not healthier, but definitely a better understanding of my body...

This. Granted, much of the health aspects can be monitored by other devices - but I would say since getting my AW6 in December, I am more aware of what and how my body is doing than ever before.

The rings and competitions are okay, but I was fairly motivated prior to owning the Watch, and if anything, now my motivation is really just racking up enough time with it consistently to see real trends. I like unlocking my MBP with the Watch - and of all things, the gentle wake-up alarm has been one of my favorite features. But as I have said before, the "killer app" is the device logging biometrics 24/7 (technically 23/7 due to charging) over months and years to have some real crunchy data.

 

[akash.nu]

None of my friends or family is remotely interested in keeping fit and healthy. The only exercise they get is walking to the local shop or Pub to get their cigarettes and Booz. I must be from a different gene pool.

Talk about the bummer! Same situation with me. Although I burn over 1000 calories from each gym session so probably none of my family members or friends will be interested even if they had an Apple Watch.

 

[stockseer]

well.... Apple watch has been useful as a single lead EKG; and heart rate (mine is fast and it helps to take a rest when over 120 bpm). I used it extensively while working with physical therapists. Oh yes; WATCH 6 contributed to saving my life. On Jan. 14 it showed a low 88 blood/oxygen level. I called my doctor; nurse said go to the ER; tossed a few things in my 'benz and drove to ER valet; ran in and was on O2. Guess what .... I only got home just over a week ago. Covid is a horrible disease and Apple Watch 6 was helpful in several ways throughout the ordeal (except when unconscious in the ICU). The O2 sensor at times; and heart rate monitor every day and even the warnings from the watch in the middle of the night if bpm was over 100 (didn't know it would do that; but it detects inactivity and knows to issue a warning). Best buy ever; and it's my 3rd Apple Watch. Now if Watch 7 can add blood pressure readings... hah!

 

[MisterSavage]

well.... Apple watch has been useful as a single lead EKG; and heart rate (mine is fast and it helps to take a rest when over 120 bpm). I used it extensively while working with physical therapists. Oh yes; WATCH 6 contributed to saving my life. On Jan. 14 it showed a low 88 blood/oxygen level. I called my doctor; nurse said go to the ER; tossed a few things in my 'benz and drove to ER valet; ran in and was on O2. Guess what .... I only got home just over a week ago. Covid is a horrible disease and Apple Watch 6 was helpful in several ways throughout the ordeal (except when unconscious in the ICU). The O2 sensor at times; and heart rate monitor every day and even the warnings from the watch in the middle of the night if bpm was over 100 (didn't know it would do that; but it detects inactivity and knows to issue a warning). Best buy ever; and it's my 3rd Apple Watch. Now if Watch 7 can add blood pressure readings... hah!

Wow, glad you're doing better. Did the watch alert you that your O2 level was low without you doing anything or was it when you were taking a measurement?

 

[Apple fanboy]

That can also be a negative thing. I started a walking workout and came back inside because it was raining. I got some ribbing from a friend from taking such a tiny "walk".

That’s funny.

 

[nickdalzell1]

Just noticed there's an update to ECG that allows it to work for those few of us with higher than normal resting rates (over 100BPM) so I'll have to test it out and see if it still says mine is inconclusive (aka useless) or actually works for once.

As far as workout detection goes, my rate is so high that I have to actually walk less than 3 mph for it to detect an outdoor walk; a 'brisk' walk just makes the exercise ring go up but zero workout detection since it doesn't know what kind of workout to detect at a 130-140 BPM rate (it is happiest re: workout detection at 110-120 range).

 

[maldahleh]

I think the watch helps but it’s more reliant on you making the decision first.

When gyms closed here in October, I stopped really caring about the rings. In December when it seemed like the closure would last way longer than I originally thought (the earliest they’ll reopen is May 20); I made a decision to go back to closing them, and now I’m on one of my longest streaks. I think the watch was really motivational here in getting me to go outside when it was snowing, -10 degrees, pitch black at 5 pm, etc

 

[Apple fanboy]

I think the watch helps but it’s more reliant on you making the decision first.

When gyms closed here in October, I stopped really caring about the rings. In December when it seemed like the closure would last way longer than I originally thought (the earliest they’ll reopen is May 20); I made a decision to go back to closing them, and now I’m on one of my longest streaks. I think the watch was really motivational here in getting me to go outside when it was snowing, -10 degrees, pitch black at 5 pm, etc

Absolutely you have to make exercise the priority. I’ve spent decades using every excuse under the sun.
However the motivation to chase the next ring, achievement or step count works for me.

 

[MayfairMissy]

I've improved my cardiovascular numbers a lot. I come from a family with heart problems and on top of that had several lung infections over the last three years. A year ago I found myself feeling very week and out of breath a lot. That's when I decided to buy an Apple watch to track my progress. The Vo2 max feature (cardio fitness in the health app) was a game changer for me. I'm also very competitive (with myself, not others) by nature and like to push my goals further every week. The watch notifications help a lot with that.

 

[1rottenapple]

Nahhhhhh.