A growing community of fitness enthusiasts has discovered a creative workaround to improve their Apple Watch’s accuracy when tracking fitness goals. By wearing their smartwatches on their ankles, users can overcome issues such as poor wrist coverage and skin conditions that interfere with the watch’s sensors.
According to anecdotals from individuals like 23-year-old Ana Espinal and 33-year-old Shaniece Gale, who both use Apple Watches to track their steps, heart rate, and calories. These women, along with others in the ankle-watch community, found that wearing the watches on their ankles resolved issues such as:
* Poor wrist coverage due to small wrists or loose straps
* Skin conditions like tattoos or skin irritations that affect sensor accuracy
* Difficulty tracking steps when engaging in activities like stroller-pushing or working at a standing desk
As the trend gains popularity, some users are sharing their experiences on social media platforms like TikTok. For example, Jason Rogers, an actor and author, created a humorous video showcasing his ankle-worn Apple Watch during a workout.
Apple has not officially endorsed this approach, but it appears to be a practical solution for some users who need to wear the watch in unconventional ways. However, as Ms. Espinal notes, “It’s perfect” – a testament to the effectiveness of this hack in improving fitness tracking accuracy.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/08/style/apple-watch-ankles.html