How does Samsung Health measure distance walked?

In this guide, we will discuss “How does Samsung Health measure distance walked” and additional considerations to keep in mind when using the Samsung Health app.

How does Samsung Health measure distance walked?

If you are wondering ‘How does Samsung Health measure distance walked?’ could be because you probably have noticed an incorrect amount of steps. If we check the comments from users, we can find that there seems to be a problem with certain phones in terms of measuring distance. This means running or working out can become problematic when Samsung Health is trying to track the real distance.

Moreover, the exercise section for the Samsung health app doesn’t seem to help track movements but the app can provide rich information about your exercise routine history and will even encourage you as you are working out.

When you use this feature, simply tap on ‘Exercise’ and choose an option from the workout styles available. Some of the styles include hiking, running, or walking. Finally, tap on ‘set workout goal’ and select the time, goal, distance goal or calories burned. Remember that the app’s audio guide is on by default so with the audio guide, you can hear your progress which may be useful for some users. 

Interestingly, as indicated on mainenewsonline.com, “It will tell you your pace and distance. You can also listen to your favourite music with the app as you work out…You can also take pictures from the app screen if you find anything that inspires you along a new route”.

Customize your step count goal

Samsung Health’s step count goal is optimized to fit your fitness goals and profile. If you find that a goal is too easy or too hard then you can change it by tapping on the ‘Step count’ tile within the app. From there, tap on the menu button and then ‘set target’. When you’re there, swipe either left or right on the number bar to increase or decrease your goal.

Pause your step count

You may find it very useful and important to track the steps you take throughout your day, so you can stay fit. However, the app can count ‘steps’ even if you are riding a bike or a car at slow speeds. Because of it, it is recommended to disable your Samsung health app under those specific situations.

Subsequently, you can temporarily stop your Samsung health from counting steps by heading to the steps page within your app and tapping on the menu icon. Select the option ‘Pause counting steps and after doing so, you will see a notification informing you that the feature has been paused. To unpause it when you have finished your bike or car ride, just repeat the same steps to enable it again.

Steps on your phone’s notification panel 

As indicated by Amboy Manalo, “You don’t need to be a race-walking champion to appreciate the ability to quickly view your current step count without having to open Samsung Health. To display your step counts in your phone’s notification panel, open Samsung Health, then tap the menu button in the upper-right and select “Settings.” From there, tap on “Show steps on noti. panel” and you’re all set”.

Step count duel

Yes, Samsung health will allow you to challenge a friend to a Step Duel. As you may know, staying fit needs motivation and having a friendly competition between friends or relatives can contribute to having a positive mindset and keeping yourself motivated. Moreover, Samsung has thought about this and it has a feature that lets you challenge friends, family or even strangers to a one-on-one step count competition. 

You may wonder, how can I do it? Well, it is fairly easy. You just need to add a new challenge within the ‘Together’ page of the Samsung Health app, name the challenge and invite a friend to join the match. 

Participating in global challenges

Additional to the one-on-one step count matches, we can find another option or feature as Global Challenges regularly. You can join to see how well other fitness enthusiasts across the world are doing. To enter a Global Challenge, simply hit the ‘Together’ tab at the button of your app and then hit ‘join’ on any of the available challenges.

What if I have a Galaxy Watch?

If you have a Galaxy Watch then you need to know that those devices count the number of steps you have taken and measure the distance travelled. 

As indicated on the official Samsung website, “To measure your step count and the distance you walk, tap the Samsung Health icon on the Apps screen, swipe upwards or downwards on the screen, and then open the Step Tracker screen. To view weekly records with a graph, swipe upwards or downwards on the screen”.

When measuring your steps, the step tracker will monitor your steps and display the step count after a brief delay because your watch (i.e. Galaxy Watch Active) can accurately recognise your movement after you walk for a while. Additionally, for an accurate step count, you may experience a brief delay before the pop-up window indicates that a certain goal has been reached. 

However, consider that the use of the step tracker may be influenced by travelling by car or train and even the vibration may affect your step count.

Tracking your workouts

You may have started to consider improving your health by increasing your physical activity or perhaps you are already used to it but just want to track it down. Samsung Health was created to facilitate the tracking of physical activities where you can even log your workout routines. 

The Samsung Health or the Health app, has become one of the most comprehensive health apps that exist in the market. “It sports advanced features like one-on-one challenges and heart rate monitoring, but its basic functionality is perhaps even more important — like any good fitness app, Samsung Health lets you record your exercises with ease, so you spend less time finagling with your device and more time working out (Manalo, 2018)”.

Selecting a workout

To select a workout, simply tap on the ‘exercise’ tile and then choose the type of exercise you prefer from the list of options provided. From there, just tap the ‘Basic Workout’ drop-down menu and choose a recording method.

In addition to selecting your workout, you can also choose a method to record it. There are three basics modes to record your exercise:

• Duration target: this mode challenges you to exercise within a set amount of time while recording all the calories that you are burning.
• Burned calorie target: this mode pushes you to burn a set amount of calories while taking into consideration the time spent.
• Basic workout: this mode simply records the time and the calories burned.

Why is this blog about How does Samsung Health measure distance walked important?

Samsung Health measures distance but as we have mentioned, the exercise section for the Samsung health app doesn’t seem to help track movements but the app can provide rich information about your exercise routine history and will even encourage you as you are working out.

Additionally, it will tell you your pace and distance while you can also have the option to listen to your favourite music with the app as you work out.

Please feel free to leave any comments or thoughts about the content of this article!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about How does Samsung Health measure distance walked

References 

Manalo, A. (2018, Dec.) 15 Tips to Help You Get the Most Out of Samsung Health. Retrieved from android.gadgethacks.com.

Manalo, A. (2018, Dec.) Track Your Workouts with Samsung Health. Retrieved from android.gadgethacks.com.

Samsung.com: “How do I use the Samsung Health features?”