Apple Watch

LisannevdL

The Apple Watch will be available in my country soon and I was wondering if there's anyone here who's had some experience with it already. I'm not looking for any "It's a waste of money" replies, I just want the opinions of people who actually have (used) an Apple Watch.

I have a Jawbone UP24 right now for counting my steps, but I like the idea that the Watch does a lot more (not just fitness-wise). I know it's expensive and might not be worth the price but nonetheless, I'm curious as I kinda want it.

scottb81

I have been using my Apple Watch since April 20th and use the fitness features every day. For me, it was worth the cost. Do you have any specific questions? below is a mini review I wrote up a few weeks ago at someone's request.

My review of the Apple Watch. Yes, I love it LOL. As a companion to an iPhone it is excellent. I have used it a lot at make phone calls and send messages without having to dig out my phone. I also get all notifications there so that also is very convenient. It really reduces iPhone turning on and off all day a lot. I also use it a lot for navigation as it uses its taptic engine to notify you where to turn. As for the fitness features. The HRM for me works better and more consistently than my Garmin chest strap did as long as the watch is on correctly, snug and about an inch up from the wrist. The step counting is very accurate. The fitness rings I also find as excellent motivation to keep moving around all day. My only complaint is its use as a dedicated running watch. The heart rate recording there is normally faultless but the distance recorded is always short of what the garmin records (up to about ¼ mile in a 7 mile run). This also makes its pace readout a little off. I’m not sure if this is a software problem that they will eventually fix or a limitation of the iPhone GPS. Also, the software is far inferior to Garmin right now in its ability to analyze post run statistics. The next major software update in Sept is supposed to allow developers to access the HRM and operate on the watch so the various other run trackers will be able to seamlessly integrate. For now, when running, I wear both the Apple watch and my Garmin. I use the fitness app and all the fitness data including HR and calories from the watch but let the garmin record the run for my online garmin log I have had for a while. I also use the garmin for pace when I want to run by pace. One other thing is that after you have run outside with the watch a few times, (it calibrates to your stride) you can use it indoors on a treadmill with pretty good accuracy. For me it is as good accuracy as my Garmin footpod. It is also durable as long as you don’t abuse it. I have been wearing my sport version now for 7 weeks and it is still in pristine condition without even the smallest scratch. That includes sweating a lot on it, using it in heavy rain, and washing it under a water faucet every few days.

eshnna

I really like mine. I have heard however that it underestimates the calories burned when you are using their exercise app. I don't know if it's true but it were, I am actually ok with that.
It has been a great motivator for me!

LisannevdL

Thanks both of you for the replies I'm okay with it not being 100% accurate, as long as I get a general idea. And I know myself and I'll want to fill out all 3 bars every day, so it'll be a great motivator!

annaskiski

I found the calorie burn it reports eye opening actually.

The watch reports both the calories burned for the hour I run, and then breaks down the calories from just resting (i.e. the calories I would have burned anyway in that hour sitting at my desk) verses how much additional calories I burned by running. (I forget the actual nomenclature it uses, 'resting' vs 'active' calories I think. I've been on vacation and not run for a couple of weeks )

My old Garmin only reports the total calories. I don't know if the newer fitness devices also report this breakdown, but if you are eating extra calories based on the total calories, you are misleading yourself, since your resting calories are already included in your daily calorie total.

For an hour run, this difference can be almost half of total calories. I understand now why people report that they can only eat back half of exercise calories to lose.