Your smartwatch might be giving your workouts more credit than they deserve

Your body fat percentage could be throwing off your smartwatch’s calorie counter. Your smartwatch might be giving your workouts more credit than they deserve. Study: Smartwatch calorie tracking worsens with higher body fat.

Wearables and health Your smartwatch might be giving your workouts more credit than they deserve Your body fat percentage could be throwing off your smartwatch’s calorie counter. The higher your body fat percentage, the less accurate your smartwatch’s calorie estimates may be, with errors reaching 100% or more. Researchers recommend treating smartwatch calorie counts as rough estimates, especially if you rely on them to manage your weight.

If you own a smartwatch, you know the satisfaction that comes after finishing a strenuous workout, glancing at your wrist, and seeing just how many calories you’ve burned. If your aim is to be in a calorie deficit and lose weight, that figure on the watch holds a lot of importance. A new study suggests that your smartwatch might not be giving you accurate readings, especially if you have a higher body fat percentage.

Smartwatches have become increasingly common, not just because of their health and fitness tracking prowess, but also because of their convenience.