How does AW5 measure steps?

[Aspasia]

Am thinking of getting an AW 5 and curious how the watch counts steps. Specifically, I paddle a sea kayak. If the watch measures by arm movement, am guessing it will count each paddle stroke as a step. That will be absolutely crazy and inaccurate.

 

[iamasmith]

I've never really thought about it measuring steps, not a huge amount of the experience is devoted to showing that as a stat like a Fitbit.

In weekly summary (force touch on the activity screen) it will show you steps but it maybe isn't the primary feature.

If you are doing Kayaking though it may be worth looking at Workoutdoors, that app has paddling and rowing activities built in (which I don't use myself but it is GREAT for running).

 

[Aspasia]

I've never really thought about it measuring steps, not a huge amount of the experience is devoted to showing that as a stat like a Fitbit.

In weekly summary (force touch on the activity screen) it will show you steps but it maybe isn't the primary feature.

If you are doing Kayaking though it may be worth looking at Workoutdoors, that app has paddling and rowing activities built in (which I don't use myself but it is GREAT for running).

Thanks for the suggestion. Looks like that app might be the answer.

 

[jaytee86]

my interpretation of the tracking is that it uses the calories burnt to extrapolate/calculate the equivalent number of steps you would have walked to clock those calories. Which could be why the watch focuses on calories rather than actual steps...

Experienced it when i was doing multiple static workouts through the day, but saw in health app i got about 8-9km of steps...

 

[nill1234]

The watch counts steps like every other tracker with a gyroscope and accelerometer. Bur apple goes way further to calculate distance the watch needs to know your step length and maybe air time when running. To get this you can just use your height but this really isnt accurate. So apple calibrates during your outdoor workout your step length in different scenarios with gps. I think it builds up a LUT with different paces and interpolates but thats just my opinion.

By the way i just ran on a treadmill and after 4 km the watch was only less than 20 meter off, thats really good.

Calibrate your Apple Watch for improved Workout and Activity accuracy – Apple Support (AU)

You can calibrate your Apple Watch to improve the accuracy of your distance, pace and calorie measurements. Calibrating your watch can also help it learn your fitness level and stride, which improves accuracy when GPS is limited or unavailable.

support.apple.com

 

[Julien]

Simple, it is by arm swing. One swing back and forth = 2 steps.

Also the thread title is confusing. It says "measure steps" which is different than counting steps which is what you ask about.

 

[pumazooma]

I get steps counted if I walk with my hand in my coat pocket so I suspect it's looking at up and down rhythmic 'jolts' as well.

There is a default workout called Paddling. I wonder if you choose that, it will interpret the watch movement differently and not count steps.

 

[oeagleo]

I get steps counted if I walk with my hand in my coat pocket so I suspect it's looking at up and down rhythmic 'jolts' as well.

If you have your phone with you it will register the steps, and transfer them to the watch. I discovered this while grocery shopping, I carry my phone in my back pocket, and while pushing the cart with both hands, I still register the (apparently) correct number of steps. To further test, once I left the phone in the car, and tried it, and the steps didn't register.