You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Vo2 Max for cyclists

It seems like Apple Watch is not recoding any VO2 Max when doing a cycling exercise? Why is cycling not supported, is it on the roadmap?

Apple Watch Series 5, watchOS 8

Posted on Aug 15, 2022 5:56 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 15, 2022 7:57 AM

As mentioned in the answer “Only three workout types can produce an estimated VO2 max on Apple Watch: Outdoor Walk,Outdoor Run and hiking.”


Why is it not available for cyclist, this is a big group of enthusiasts that are left in the cold, is it a feature that is coming and when will it be available?


3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 15, 2022 7:57 AM in response to Community User

As mentioned in the answer “Only three workout types can produce an estimated VO2 max on Apple Watch: Outdoor Walk,Outdoor Run and hiking.”


Why is it not available for cyclist, this is a big group of enthusiasts that are left in the cold, is it a feature that is coming and when will it be available?


Aug 15, 2022 5:59 AM in response to Gunninglike

Apple says;

Your Apple Watch gives you a cardio fitness ESTIMATE by measuring how hard your heart is working during an outdoor walk, run or hike.


To estimate your cardio fitness level, your Apple Watch also takes into account your:

Age

Sex

Weight

Height

Medications that may affect your heart rate

It can take at least 24 hours wearing your Apple Watch, followed by several workouts and passive measurements with your Apple Watch before you receive an initial ESTIMATE.

Certain conditions or medications that limit your heart rate may cause an overestimation of your VO2 max.


Are VO2 max predictions accurate?

The relationship between heart rate and VO2 max is not precise, and it varies from one individual to another. So Apple’s predicted VO2 max may not be very accurate. The estimate is also dependent upon your Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor. And while that’s pretty good, it is not infallible.


Why is there no VO2 max data in the Health app?

If you can’t find any VO2 max readings in the Health app, that is probably because you have not yet logged the right kind of workouts with your watch. Only three workout types can produce an estimated VO2 max on Apple Watch: Outdoor Walk,Outdoor Run and hiking.


VO2 max relates to maximal exertion. So you’ll need to log a pretty intensive workout to generate a reading. And you’ll need to sustain it for at least 20 minutes.

Vo2 Max for cyclists

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.