If you’ve finished a treadmill run and the distance on your Apple Watch seems off, you might be wondering how to edit treadmill distance on Apple Watch. It’s a common issue, and the good news is you can fix it directly on your iPhone. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to correct your workout data.
Getting accurate metrics is important for tracking your progress. A wrong distance can throw off your pace calculations and training goals. Let’s get your workout history corrected with a few taps.
How to Edit Treadmill Distance on Apple Watch
The primary method for adjusting your treadmill workout data is through the Health app on your paired iPhone. You cannot edit workout details directly on the watch itself. Follow these steps carefully.
Step-by-Step Editing in the Health App
First, make sure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version. This ensures the app interface matches these instructions.
- Open the Health app on your iPhone (the app with the white icon and a red heart).
- Tap the Browse tab at the bottom right of the screen.
- Search for “Workouts” in the search bar or navigate to it by tapping Activity > Workouts.
- You will see a list of all your recorded workouts. Find and tap on the specific treadmill workout you want to correct.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the workout summary page. Tap on Show More Data.
- In the top right corner, tap Edit.
- Now you can edit the fields. Find the Distance field and tap on it.
- Enter the correct distance. Use the dial selector or type it in manually.
- After entering the correct distance, tap Done in the top right corner to save your changes.
The app will update the workout summary. Your active calories and other metrics may recalculate based on the new distance. Note that the original average pace will be replaced, but splits and heart rate data remain unchanged.
Why Your Treadmill Distance Might Be Inaccurate
Before you edit, it’s helpful to understand why the distance was wrong. This can help you improve future tracking.
- Calibration Data: The Apple Watch uses your outdoor running or walking GPS data to calibrate the accelerometer for indoor runs. If you haven’t done at least 20 minutes of outdoor running with your watch, its indoor estimates are less reliable.
- Arm Swing Variation: Holding the treadmill rails significantly reduces the watch’s ability to detect your stride. Try to run or walk with a natural arm swing.
- Stride Length Changes: If your running form or speed varies greatly from your calibrated norm, estimates can drift.
- Watch Fit: A loose watch band can cause motion sensor errors. The watch should be snug on your wrist.
Improving Future Treadmill Accuracy
Editing past workouts fixes your log, but improving future accuracy is even better. Here are some proactive tips.
Calibrate Your Apple Watch
This is the most important step. Calibration teaches your watch your personal stride length.
- Go to a flat, open outdoor area with good GPS reception.
- Open the Workout app on your Apple Watch.
- Choose Outdoor Run or Outdoor Walk.
- Run or walk at your normal pace for at least 20 minutes. For best results, do this multiple times on different routes.
This process feeds GPS data to your watch, which it uses to make better indoor predictions. Remember to update your height and weight in the Health app too, as these factor into calculations.
Use the “Indoor Run” Workout Correctly
Always select the Indoor Run (or Indoor Walk) workout type on your watch before starting. This tells the watch to rely on the accelerometer, not GPS. Starting a generic “Run” workout can confuse the sensors.
- Start the workout a minute before you begin running to let the sensors stabilize.
- Avoid holding the treadmill console or rails excessively.
- If your treadmill has a built-in distance tracker, you can use that number to edit your workout afterward, as described above.
Third-Party App Alternatives
Some runners prefer using third-party apps like Strava, Nike Run Club, or Workoutdoors for treadmill sessions. These apps often have different algorithms.
If you record with a third-party app, you must edit the distance within that app, not the Apple Health app. The steps will vary:
- Open the third-party app on your iPhone.
- Find the workout in its history or activity feed.
- Look for an edit or pencil icon. Not all apps allow distance edits after the fact.
- If you edit it there, the correction should sync back to the Apple Health app, but sometimes syncing issues can occur.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Sometimes, editing doesn’t go smoothly. Here’s how to handle common problems.
The “Edit” Button is Missing
If you don’t see an Edit button at the top of the workout details page, check these things:
- Ensure the workout was recorded by the Apple Watch’s native Workout app. Some third-party app data cannot be edited in Health.
- Try force-closing and reopening the Health app.
- Restart your iPhone. It’s a simple fix that often resolves interface glitches.
Changes Aren’t Reflecting in Fitness App
The Fitness app (the one with the rings) pulls data from the Health app. Changes should appear within a few seconds, but sometimes a sync delay happens.
- Pull down to refresh the main summary screen in the Fitness app.
- Close and reopen the Fitness app.
- Give it a few minutes. The update is usually quick, but occasional delays aren’t unheard of.
Can’t Edit Other Workout Details
Currently, the Health app only allows you to edit the distance, active calories, and workout type for a recorded exercise. You cannot edit:
- Heart rate data
- Elevation gain
- Individual split times
- Workout start/stop time (though you can delete and re-add with correct time)
Deleting and Re-Adding a Workout
If editing seems broken or you need to correct the start time, you can delete the workout and enter it manually. This is a last resort.
- In the Health app, go to the incorrect workout as before.
- Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap Delete Workout.
- Confirm the deletion.
- To add a new one, go to the Browse tab > Activity > Workouts.
- Tap Add Data in the top right corner.
- Select the activity type (e.g., Indoor Run), enter the correct start/end times, distance, and calories.
- Tap Add to save the manual entry.
Manual entries are marked with a little “Health App” icon in your workout list to distinguish them from watch-recorded ones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I edit treadmill distance directly on my Apple Watch?
No, you cannot. You must use the Health app on your paired iPhone to edit any workout details, including distance for treadmill runs.
Why did my Apple Watch underestimate my treadmill distance?
It’s often due to lack of calibration. If you haven’t done outdoor runs with GPS, the watch has no baseline for your stride length. Holding the rails or a loose watch fit also contributes to underestimation.
Will editing distance fix my calorie count?
Yes, usually. The Health app recalculates active calories based on the new distance, your weight, and other factors from the workout. The total calorie adjustment might be slight, but it will update.
How do I change treadmill distance on Apple Watch if I used Strava?
You need to edit the workout within the Strava app itself. Go to the activity on Strava’s website or app, click the pencil icon, and adjust the distance. Once saved, it should sync the corrected data back to Apple Health.
Does calibrating my watch really make a difference for indoor runs?
Absolutely. Calibration is the single biggest factor for improving indoor distance accuracy. A well-calibrated watch can get remarkably close to the treadmill’s display over a standard run.
Can I edit the distance for other workout types?
Yes. The same editing method in the Health app works for any workout type that includes a distance metric, like outdoor runs, cycling, or swimming (for watches with swim tracking).
What if my treadmill’s distance is also inaccurate?
This is a good point. Treadmill calibration can drift over time. If you’re serious about accuracy, you could use a footpod (a Bluetooth sensor that attaches to your shoe) which is the most precise way to measure indoor distance and sync it to your watch.
Correcting your workout data ensures your fitness history is reliable. While the Apple Watch provides a great estimate, knowing how to make manual adjustments puts you in full control of your records. With better calibration and these editing steps, you can trust your numbers moving forward.