Strava v Apple Watch Fitness App

[Chesterlove]

Does anyone get such different results between Strava and their Apple Watch? I did start the ‘Outdoor Run Workout’ on my watch later than the Strava App but not by .4km, and even so the split times are completely different. There were a few stiles to go over so maybe Strava smoothed those out somehow. I came back chuffed with the 9km and splits on Strava (return route was cross-country so slower), but a bit underwhelmed by the watch results. I know it shouldn’t matter but if you want to get to an accurate 10km (next week I hope) it doesn’t help.

[nowster Graduate10]

It probably reflects the accuracy of the different GPS receiver units in the phone and the watch.

I did parkrun on Saturday. I recorded on both my phone and the Garmin watch. The watch recorded only 4.5km but the phone reckoned it was 4.9km.

It was in a park, so I'm putting it down to damp leaves overhead affecting the signal.

[Chesterlove Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

I’m guessing Parkrun is measured pretty accurately- Fareham’s recorded as 4.84km on Saturday, so maybe I’m expecting too much of my devices.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Is it necessary for you to record on 2 different devices? My garmin syncs with Strava so I have the same results. I know Garmin must be accurate as I follow others in the village who run the same routes as me and we all get the same distances but using different brands syncing into Strava. Happy running 🤗

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

I record on both my Garmin and Strava because I am the sort of klutz who presses the wrong buttons! 😜

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

🤣 fair enough 🤣 in that case always believe the one which gives the best results

[Chesterlove Graduate10]

Not really, you’re right. They have different benefits though, for instance I can’t get my heart rate picked up on Strava so normally like to use the Watch; however, this time I wanted to use a ‘route’ from Strava which I hadn’t done before so it’s reassuring to have the map clearly show the way I should be going. I also get loud km notifications on Strava which I don’t on the watch, so nice for an unknown route. I let my watch record it, too, for two reasons: one, otherwise it keeps asking if I’m doing a run and would I like to record it, which is irritating, and two, because Strava has let me down on picking up GPS before so it’s a fail safe.

[Ian5K Graduate10]

I’ve found this too. The discrepancy is ridiculous. It makes me very sceptical about the whole accuracy of these things and I don’t feel it’s value for money right now, and will probably stick with the free app on the phone - and a large pinch of salt with that. 🙂

[Chesterlove Graduate10]

I’d love to get some real measurements though. I’ll have to look into it more. I guess if you consistently use the same device that’s sufficient to see improvement.