Fitness Trackers Overestimate Calorie Burn

Recent studies suggest that smartwatches may not be as accurate as consumers believe when it comes to tracking calorie expenditure. A Florida International University study found that four popular smartwatches—the Apple Watch Series 8, Fitbit Sense 2, Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, and Garmin Forerunner 955—consistently overestimated the number of calories burned during workouts.

The research involved 58 participants who wore the smartwatches alongside professional-grade equipment to measure energy burn and heart rate. All tested devices showed an average margin of error between 15% and 25%, meaning a reported 200 calories burned could actually be as low as 160 to 174.

Variations in accuracy were observed among brands, with the Apple Watch demonstrating the smallest margin of error. Conversely, Samsung and Garmin models showed greater overestimation. Fitbit experienced significant glitches during testing, leading researchers to exclude some data.

Furthermore, the study noted a correlation between increased body fat percentage and decreased tracking accuracy, though the underlying reason remains unclear. Experts caution against relying solely on smartwatch calorie data, suggesting that users should also pay attention to their body's feedback and energy levels to manage their fitness goals effectively.