The Apple Watch: Alternatives for Wearing It
Smartwatches like the Apple Watch are made to be worn on your wrist. However, some individuals are exploring other options, especially for convenience during certain activities. This article explores how to wear an Apple Watch on your ankle, the benefits of doing so, and how it affects the accuracy of step counting and heart rate monitoring.
How to Wear Your Apple Watch on Your Ankle
If you’re considering wearing your Apple Watch on your ankle, here are some simple methods to make it happen:
-
Using Your Regular Band: If your feet and ankles are on the smaller side, you can simply slide your wristband onto your ankle. For example, a sport loop can be loosened enough to fit over your foot.
-
Adjusting the Band: A more effective way is to detach one end of the wristband from the watch. Wrap it around your ankle and then fasten the band. This option allows for more secure fitting and keeps the watch snug.
- Getting an Extra Long Strap: The easiest method is to purchase an extra-long strap. This type of strap can easily accommodate your ankle and might also be used on your bicep if that’s preferable.
Reasons for Wearing an Apple Watch on Your Ankle
People choose to wear their Apple Watch on their ankle for several practical reasons:
-
Track Steps During Non-Traditional Activities: Wearing the smartwatch on your ankle can help track steps when your hands are occupied or not moving. This is especially useful for those who walk on a treadmill while working, or for parents pushing strollers or carts.
-
Keep the Watch Out of the Way: Some activities, like boxing or kettlebell workouts, may require removing or adjusting jewelry. Wearing the watch on the ankle can help keep it out of the way during these physical activities.
- Professional Restrictions: Certain jobs, such as those in surgery or factory settings, have strict rules against wearing wristwatches. An ankle placement can accommodate these restrictions while still allowing users to enjoy smartwatch features.
While you could instead use other fitness trackers tailored for specific activities, wearing an Apple Watch as an ankle monitor can be a cost-effective solution without additional subscription fees. For heart rate monitoring, chest straps are often recommended, but the choice ultimately lies with the user.
Accuracy of Step Counting When Worn on the Ankle
To determine how well the Apple Watch counts steps when worn on the ankle, I conducted a series of tests. Here’s a breakdown of those tests:
- Testing was performed by walking on a treadmill for short intervals at a normal pace of 3 mph.
- During these tests, I wore an Apple Watch Series 10 on my left wrist and left ankle while using a Garmin Forerunner 265S on the right side paired with a chest strap.
I counted my steps manually by observing my pace, which averaged around 105-110 steps per minute. Here are the results:
- Normal Walking (hands at sides): The Apple Watch recorded 320 steps while Garmin showed 322 steps.
- Resting Hands on the Treadmill Handle: The Apple Watch showed 318 steps, whereas the Garmin recorded zero steps.
- Apple Watch on Inside of Ankle: It counted 326 steps compared to 326 from Garmin.
- Apple Watch on Outside of Ankle: It recorded 315 steps against 308 from Garmin.
The tests revealed that the Apple Watch could capture similar step counts regardless of whether it was worn on the wrist or the ankle. However, the Garmin device was less effective in counting steps when my hands were still.
While these results are encouraging, older Apple Watch models or different brands may vary in performance depending on how they track movement during different activities.
Heart Rate Accuracy When Worn on the Ankle
While step counting seemed reliable, heart rate accuracy posed a different challenge. The sensor on the Apple Watch may struggle to maintain good contact with the skin when worn on the ankle, which is a more irregular and mobile part of the body.
In my testing, while wearing the watch on the ankle, I noted that heart rate readings appeared inaccurate. The data from the Apple Watch maintained a normal pattern when on the wrist, mirroring the readings from the chest strap. In contrast, when it was worn on the ankle, the readings were more erratic and lacked a consistent relationship with the chest strap.
The conclusion is that if accurate heart rate monitoring is essential, it’s better to stick with a chest strap. Devices like the Coospo chest strap are budget-friendly options that provide reliable heart rate data.
Conclusion
Wearing an Apple Watch on your ankle instead of your wrist can offer practical alternatives for activity monitoring. Many assume that step tracking remains relatively constant regardless of placement, but heart rate monitoring may suffer due to the less stable contact area on the ankle. If you’re considering this unconventional method, keep in mind its strengths and limitations, and choose the placement that best fits your lifestyle and activity level.