How Accurate is Apple Watch for HIIT Workout?
If you’re someone who is into fitness, you may have heard about HIIT workouts, also known as High-Intensity Interval Training. These workouts involve performing intense exercises for a short period, followed by a brief rest.
HIIT workouts are known to be incredibly effective for weight loss and increasing cardiovascular health. With the rise of wearable technology, many fitness enthusiasts have turned to devices like the Apple Watch to track their workouts, including HIIT. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how accurate the Apple Watch is for HIIT workouts.
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Understanding Apple Watch’s HIIT Tracking
The Apple Watch is equipped with sensors that track various movements and heart rate. For HIIT workouts, the Apple Watch uses its built-in “High-Intensity Interval Training” feature, which is specifically designed for these types of workouts. The HIIT feature on the Apple Watch allows users to customize their workouts, including the length of the work and rest periods.
Heart Rate Accuracy
Heart rate is an essential metric to track during a HIIT workout, as it is an indicator of how much effort you’re putting in. The Apple Watch uses optical sensors to measure heart rate, which is done by shining green LED lights onto the skin and measuring the amount of light reflected back. While the Apple Watch’s heart rate monitoring has been known to be accurate for moderate exercise, the accuracy for HIIT workouts has been a topic of debate.
Some studies have found that the Apple Watch’s heart rate monitoring during HIIT workouts can be off by up to 20 beats per minute. However, this can be attributed to the nature of HIIT workouts, which involve quick changes in intensity. Additionally, factors like sweat and movement can also affect the accuracy of heart rate monitoring.
Movement and Activity Accuracy
Another important aspect of tracking HIIT workouts is monitoring movements and activity. The Apple Watch uses its accelerometer and gyroscope sensors to measure movement and activity during a workout.
The accelerometer measures how fast you’re moving, while the gyroscope measures how you’re moving. While the Apple Watch’s movement and activity tracking have been found to be accurate for moderate exercise, the accuracy for HIIT workouts has also been debated.
Some studies have found that the Apple Watch’s movement and activity tracking during HIIT workouts can be off by up to 40%. However, as with heart rate monitoring, this can be attributed to the nature of HIIT workouts, which involve quick changes in intensity.
Overall Accuracy
Overall, the Apple Watch can provide accurate tracking for HIIT workouts, but it is not perfect. Factors like sweat, movement, and quick changes in intensity can affect the accuracy of the Apple Watch’s tracking. However, the Apple Watch’s HIIT tracking feature allows users to customize their workouts, including the length of the work and rest periods, making it a useful tool for HIIT enthusiasts.
Conclusion
The Apple Watch is a popular choice among fitness enthusiasts, and its HIIT tracking feature can be useful for those who perform HIIT workouts regularly. While the accuracy of the Apple Watch’s tracking for HIIT workouts may not be perfect, it can still provide valuable insights into your workout.
As with any fitness tracker, it’s important to keep in mind that the accuracy of tracking can be affected by various factors, and it’s always best to listen to your body during a workout.
