Apple study: most Apple Watch users keep up New Year exercise beyond Quitters Day

An analysis of roughly 100,000 participants in Apple’s Heart and Movement Study found many Apple Watch users sustained increased exercise after the New Year.

Almost 80% of users who raised their exercise minutes kept that level through the last half of January, and 90% of that group maintained it through February and March, Apple said.

Apple noted that average daily exercise minutes typically dip during the November and December holiday period, then rise rapidly in January and continue into spring. Quitters Day—the second Friday of January—is commonly when people abandon resolutions.

The company also offers a limited-edition New Year Ring award for users who close all three Activity rings for seven consecutive days to help keep momentum.

Apple’s Heart and Movement Study collects Apple Watch data from thousands of participants to identify trends and investigate links between activity and heart health.

The report adds to evidence that fitness trackers and smartwatches, which use sensors like accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS and heart-rate monitors, can help track and reward activity levels.

Key Topics

Tech, United States, Apple Watch, Wearables, Fitness, New Year, Heart Study