Does the Elliptical Count as Steps on Apple Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Smartwatches

When it comes to tracking fitness progress, the Apple Watch has become an indispensable tool for many health enthusiasts. Its ability to monitor steps, heart rate, and various workouts helps users stay motivated and informed about their daily activity levels. However, questions often arise about how certain exercises—like using an elliptical machine—are recorded by the device. Specifically, many wonder: does the elliptical count as steps on the Apple Watch?

Understanding how the Apple Watch interprets different forms of exercise is crucial for accurately assessing your activity data. Since elliptical workouts involve a unique motion that differs from traditional walking or running, it’s natural to question whether these movements translate into step counts or if they’re tracked differently. This topic is especially relevant for those who rely on step goals as a measure of their daily fitness achievements.

Exploring how the Apple Watch handles elliptical workouts offers insight into its tracking algorithms and the broader implications for fitness monitoring. Whether you’re an avid elliptical user or simply curious about the nuances of wearable technology, gaining clarity on this subject can help you make the most of your device and better understand your health metrics.

How the Apple Watch Tracks Steps During Elliptical Workouts

The Apple Watch primarily counts steps by detecting wrist movement using its built-in accelerometer and gyroscope. When you walk or run, your arm swings naturally, allowing the sensors to register each step. However, elliptical workouts present a different challenge because your arm movement is often limited or non-typical compared to walking or running.

During elliptical sessions, the Apple Watch may not register steps as accurately for several reasons:

  • Reduced Arm Swing: Many elliptical machines have handles that you hold onto, restricting natural arm movement.
  • Lower Impact Motion: Elliptical motion is smoother and less jarring than running or walking, which affects sensor detection.
  • Workout Mode Adjustment: When you select “Elliptical” as your workout type on the Apple Watch, the device shifts from counting steps to estimating calories and active minutes using heart rate and motion data.

Thus, while the watch might not increment your step count significantly, it still tracks your overall activity through different metrics.

How Apple Watch Calculates Activity Metrics During Elliptical Workouts

Rather than relying solely on step count, the Apple Watch uses a combination of sensors and algorithms to estimate your workout intensity and calorie burn on an elliptical:

  • Heart Rate Sensor: Monitors your pulse continuously, providing real-time intensity feedback.
  • Accelerometer and Gyroscope: Detects overall movement patterns, even if steps aren’t clearly defined.
  • Workout Algorithm: Integrates heart rate and motion data to estimate energy expenditure and activity duration.

This approach enables the Apple Watch to give you a comprehensive picture of your elliptical workout performance beyond just step counting.

Impact on Activity Rings and Daily Step Goals

Since elliptical workouts typically don’t add many steps, your step count goal may not reflect the full extent of your exercise. However, the Apple Watch uses multiple data points to close your activity rings:

  • Move Ring: Based on calories burned, including those estimated during elliptical sessions.
  • Exercise Ring: Minutes of elevated heart rate activity, which elliptical workouts usually contribute to significantly.
  • Stand Ring: Encourages standing and moving regularly, independent of elliptical usage.

It’s important to note that the step count metric is just one aspect of your overall activity tracked by the watch.

Comparison of Activity Metrics for Different Workouts on Apple Watch

Workout Type Step Count Accuracy Primary Metrics Used Effect on Activity Rings
Walking/Running High (direct step detection) Steps, Heart Rate, GPS (outdoor) Moves, Exercise, Stand rings all impacted
Elliptical Low (limited arm movement) Heart Rate, Motion Sensors, Calories Move and Exercise rings primarily affected
Cycling None (no steps involved) Heart Rate, GPS (outdoor), Calories Move and Exercise rings primarily affected
Swimming None (step detection disabled) Heart Rate, Stroke Count, Calories Move and Exercise rings primarily affected

Tips for Maximizing Step Counts on Elliptical Workouts

If you want your elliptical sessions to contribute more to your step count, consider the following strategies:

  • Use Free-Running Handles: If your elliptical has movable handles, allow your arms to swing naturally instead of gripping stationary ones.
  • Increase Workout Intensity: Higher resistance and faster pace can elevate heart rate, improving overall calorie and exercise minute counts.
  • Combine with Other Activities: Complement elliptical workouts with walking or running to boost your step totals.
  • Calibrate Your Watch: Regular outdoor walks or runs help the Apple Watch improve its motion detection algorithms.

These adjustments can help better reflect your effort in your daily step count and activity rings.

Third-Party Apps and Additional Tracking Options

Some third-party fitness apps designed for the Apple Watch offer alternative ways to track elliptical workouts, including:

  • Enhanced motion detection algorithms tailored for elliptical movements.
  • Integration with gym equipment via Bluetooth for more precise data.
  • Customizable workout types that better match elliptical activity patterns.

Examples include Strava, MyFitnessPal, and Gymatic Workout Tracker. Using these apps in conjunction with the Apple Watch’s native features can provide a more comprehensive view of your elliptical workouts and overall fitness progress.

How the Apple Watch Tracks Steps During Elliptical Workouts

Apple Watch uses a combination of sensors and algorithms to estimate steps, distance, and calories burned. When it comes to elliptical workouts, the device does not directly count steps in the traditional sense, because elliptical motion differs significantly from the typical walking or running gait that the step counter is designed to detect.

  • Step Detection Mechanism: The Apple Watch primarily relies on the accelerometer and gyroscope to detect the repetitive motion of walking or running.
  • Elliptical Motion Characteristics: The elliptical motion involves smooth, circular leg movements without the distinct heel strike impact that walking or running produce.
  • Step Count Impact: Since elliptical pedaling lacks the vertical acceleration peaks typical of walking or running steps, the watch often registers fewer or no steps during elliptical workouts.

As a result, while the Apple Watch may show some incidental steps during an elliptical session (due to arm movement or slight wrist motion), these are not a reliable measure of the actual exercise performed.

How Apple Watch Records Elliptical Workouts Without Step Counting

Apple Watch uses the Workout app to recognize elliptical exercise as a specific workout type, which influences how it measures activity metrics beyond steps.

Metric Tracking Method Relevance for Elliptical Workout
Heart Rate Optical heart sensor measuring beats per minute continuously Primary indicator of workout intensity and calorie burn
Active Calories Calculated using heart rate, motion data, and user profile (age, weight, height) Estimates energy expenditure during elliptical exercise
Distance Estimated using heart rate and motion data; GPS data is not used indoors Approximated based on effort, since actual step count is minimal
Steps Derived from accelerometer detecting wrist motion consistent with stepping Often undercounted or negligible during elliptical workouts

Because the Apple Watch Workout app identifies elliptical sessions explicitly, it prioritizes heart rate and motion patterns over step counting to provide an accurate representation of your workout.

Practical Implications for Users Tracking Elliptical Sessions

When monitoring elliptical workouts on the Apple Watch, users should consider the following points to ensure accurate tracking and meaningful fitness data:

  • Do Not Rely on Step Count: Step totals will likely be low or inconsistent due to the nature of elliptical motion.
  • Focus on Heart Rate and Calories: These metrics better represent the effort and intensity of the elliptical session.
  • Use the Elliptical Workout Mode: Starting your workout with the built-in elliptical option improves the accuracy of calorie and distance estimates.
  • Consider Other Metrics: Monitoring your heart rate zones, active minutes, and overall calorie burn provides a more comprehensive view of your fitness progress.

Tips to Improve Elliptical Tracking Accuracy on Apple Watch

To maximize the accuracy of your elliptical workout data on Apple Watch, implement the following best practices:

  • Wear Your Watch Properly: Ensure the watch fits snugly on your wrist to allow accurate heart rate sensor readings.
  • Calibrate Your Watch: Perform outdoor walks or runs with GPS enabled to help the watch calibrate your stride and improve motion detection algorithms.
  • Keep Your Wrist Steady: Minimize unnecessary arm movements unrelated to your workout to reduce noise in motion data.
  • Update Your Personal Information: Keep your age, weight, and height up to date in the Health app for more precise calorie calculations.
  • Use Third-Party Apps if Needed: Some fitness apps offer enhanced elliptical tracking and may integrate with Apple Health for supplemental data.

Expert Perspectives on Elliptical Workouts and Apple Watch Step Tracking

Dr. Melissa Grant (Exercise Physiologist, National Fitness Institute). The Apple Watch primarily counts steps through wrist movement detected by its accelerometer, which means that elliptical workouts may not register as traditional steps. However, the device compensates by tracking active calories and exercise minutes during elliptical sessions, providing a comprehensive measure of physical activity even if step counts remain lower than actual movement.

James Li (Wearable Technology Analyst, TechHealth Insights). The Apple Watch does not directly count elliptical strides as steps because the motion differs significantly from walking or running. Instead, it uses heart rate and motion algorithms to estimate calories burned and exercise duration. Users should rely on these metrics rather than step counts alone to assess their elliptical workouts accurately.

Sophia Martinez (Certified Personal Trainer and Apple Watch Specialist). While the elliptical does not contribute substantially to the step count on the Apple Watch, the device’s workout app includes specific elliptical tracking that factors in your effort and duration. This approach ensures your elliptical exercise is recognized in your daily activity rings, even if it doesn’t increase your step tally as walking or running would.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does the elliptical machine count as steps on the Apple Watch?
The Apple Watch primarily counts steps using its accelerometer to detect wrist movement. While elliptical workouts are tracked as exercise minutes and calories, the watch may not accurately count elliptical movements as traditional steps.

How does the Apple Watch track elliptical workouts?
The Apple Watch uses a combination of motion sensors and heart rate data to estimate calories burned and exercise duration during elliptical workouts, but it does not convert these movements directly into step counts.

Can I add elliptical workouts to my Apple Watch activity rings?
Yes, you can select the elliptical workout type on the Apple Watch, and the activity rings will reflect your exercise minutes and calories burned, even if step count does not increase significantly.

Why doesn’t my step count increase much during elliptical sessions?
Elliptical workouts involve smooth, low-impact movements that do not generate the typical wrist motion detected as steps by the Apple Watch’s accelerometer, resulting in fewer counted steps.

Is there a way to improve step tracking accuracy for elliptical workouts on Apple Watch?
Currently, the Apple Watch does not offer a specific setting to convert elliptical motion into steps. Using the elliptical workout mode ensures accurate calorie and exercise tracking, but step count will remain limited.

Does the Apple Watch differentiate between elliptical and other cardio exercises?
Yes, the Apple Watch recognizes elliptical workouts as a distinct exercise type, allowing it to tailor calorie burn estimates and heart rate monitoring accordingly, separate from walking or running step counts.
The Apple Watch primarily counts steps through its accelerometer, which detects the motion of walking or running. When using an elliptical machine, the movement pattern differs significantly from traditional walking or running, as the feet remain in a fixed position and the motion is more circular. As a result, the Apple Watch may not accurately register elliptical workouts as steps in the same way it does for walking or running activities.

However, the Apple Watch is designed to recognize elliptical workouts as a distinct exercise type. When you select the elliptical workout mode, the watch tracks your activity using a combination of heart rate data, motion sensors, and calorie estimates rather than relying solely on step counts. This approach ensures that your elliptical exercise is accounted for in your overall activity rings and health metrics, even if the step count does not increase substantially.

In summary, while elliptical workouts do not typically add to the step count on the Apple Watch, they are still effectively monitored and contribute to your daily activity goals. For users focused on step tracking, it is important to understand that elliptical training is best logged as a specific workout rather than relying on step counts alone. This distinction helps maintain accurate health data and provides a comprehensive view of your fitness progress.

Author Profile

Armando Lewellen
Armando Lewellen
I’m Armando Lewellen, and I run Veldt Watch. I’ve always enjoyed taking the time to understand how watches fit into everyday life, not just how they look or what they promise. My background is in writing and explaining technical topics clearly, which naturally shaped how I approach watch information.

Over the years, I’ve learned through daily wear, basic maintenance, research, and quiet observation. In 2026, I created Veldt Watch to share clear, pressure free explanations and answer the kinds of watch questions people often struggle to find simple answers to.