New Apple Watch Update Improves Treadmill Workout Accuracy

Improved Algorithms and Reality

When announcing watchOS 27, Apple placed significant emphasis on a feature designed to improve distance tracking accuracy on treadmills. According to the company, new motion tracking algorithms allow users to monitor distance covered directly from their wrist without the need for additional sensors. This update is particularly relevant for those who train indoors, especially when weather conditions prevent outdoor running.

Technological testing using the latest Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 reveals that Apple has made notable progress. Compared to earlier versions, the margin of error between the treadmill data and the watch has been reduced to approximately 200 metres. While this is an acceptable margin for long-duration workouts, some discrepancies remain during short distances or high-intensity interval training.

Testing Process and Recommendations

To verify accuracy, a control device—the Coros Pod 2, which attaches to the shoe to measure stride length and distance directly—was used. Although the Apple Watch delivered consistent results, it never matched the treadmill data with 100% precision. Tracking pace changes accurately during interval runs proved to be particularly challenging.

Apple’s official recommendation for calibrating the watch’s algorithms is for users to run outdoors for at least 20 minutes. This process helps the watch learn the user’s stride length and individual running style, which ultimately improves results. Testing confirmed that without this calibration, data accuracy is significantly lower.

What This Means for Users

If your goal is general fitness tracking, the new Apple Watch feature is more than sufficient. However, for professional runners who require absolute precision in distance and pace, it remains better to use specialized footpod sensors, such as the Stryd, which is compatible with Apple watches.

Ultimately, the Apple Watch has taken a significant step forward in tracking indoor workouts, though it remains a tool for general guidance rather than a device for professional-grade accuracy. For users in Georgia who frequently visit fitness centres, this update provides more reliable data for workout logs, though it is recommended to treat the results as approximate figures rather than absolute truth.