Here's a Fitness Hack To Consider
We all know that fitness is about more than just hitting the gym — it's about staying active throughout the day, keeping your heart healthy, and tracking your progress. But for many, the Apple Watch, while a great tool for monitoring fitness, doesn't always give an accurate picture of how much exercise they're actually getting.
Fit-influencers and fitness enthusiasts have discovered a simple hack that could dramatically improve the accuracy of your Apple Watch’s activity tracking — and it’s all about where you wear it.
Why Wearing Your Apple Watch on Your Ankle Might Be Better
Ana Espinal, a fitness influencer from NYC, shared a game-changing tip on TikTok: instead of wearing your Apple Watch on your wrist, try strapping it to your ankle. Espinal claims this method gives much more accurate readings of her workouts, especially for tracking steps and movement during physical activities.
In her TikTok video, Espinal explained that every time she wore her Apple Watch on her wrist, it would pause or fail to record her full workout. But once she moved it to her ankle, she noticed a significant improvement. “Found out about the ankle thing and never went back,” she said, sharing this tip with her followers.
The Science Behind It
Apple Watches are packed with technology that tracks heart rate, calories burned, and overall physical activity. While these smartwatches are known for their accuracy in monitoring heart health, especially during exercise, some users find the wrist placement less effective for certain activities. Studies have shown that wearing the watch on the wrist can sometimes result in inaccurate step counting, especially when your arms are stationary or holding something, like a shopping cart.
Other Fitness Enthusiasts Are Swearing By It
Espinal isn’t the only one who’s discovered the benefits of wearing an Apple Watch on the ankle. Kristen Hollingshaus, a San Francisco content creator, has been using this hack for years. She says wearing the watch on her ankle helps it more accurately track her movement, especially while using a walking pad or during other low-intensity activities.
Even a TikTok user (@MediocreMomAdventures) decided to test the theory for herself. She walked around Target with the Apple Watch on her wrist, pushing a shopping cart, and then again with the watch in her sock. The results were surprising: when the watch was on her wrist, it tracked only 91 steps in 10 minutes, but when it was on her ankle, it tracked 835 steps.
The Takeaway: It Works!
If you're looking for more accurate activity readings from your Apple Watch, this simple hack could make a big difference. Whether you're working out or just walking around, placing your watch on your ankle could provide much more precise step counts and calorie tracking.
So, next time you strap on your Apple Watch for a workout or a stroll, consider switching it to your ankle — you might be surprised at the results!
