How are move and exercise goals initially set on Apple Watch?

[Roadster Lewis]

When I got my Apple Watch, in 2017, my exercise goal was increased regularly each week, until it eventually settled at around 500 calories. Then when I started working from home in 2020 it dropped down a bit - I assume based on my weekly activity. My exercise goal has always been at 30 minutes - I didn't realise that you could change it.

Over the weekend I was speaking to my dad, who got an Apple Watch a few months back - his goals started at 600 calories and 60 minutes of exercise! They have not changed. How does Apple determine what the starting goals are, and when to suggest changing them?

 

[Jackbequickly]

Initially, I think it is set up on your age and weight. Afterwards it adjusts depending on your workout performance.

 

[Night Spring]

It used to be the exercise goal could not be changed, but they became changeable in watchOS 8, I think. It may have happened in 7, I don't exactly remember.

I remember that the watch used to ask me if I wanted to change my activity goal, after saying no a few times, it stopped asking me. I don't know if my activity level just hasn't changed enough for it to ask, or if it stops asking after getting several no's. I'm surprised the OP's experience is it changes without user input, I'd be upset if that happened.

 

[matrix07]

It used to be the exercise goal could not be changed, but they became changeable in watchOS 8, I think. It may have happened in 7, I don't exactly remember.

I remember that the watch used to ask me if I wanted to change my activity goal, after saying no a few times, it stopped asking me. I don't know if my activity level just hasn't changed enough for it to ask, or if it stops asking after getting several no's. I'm surprised the OP's experience is it changes without user input, I'd be upset if that happened.

Yeah my move goal has never been automatically changed, and I use Apple Watch since the original. I have to manually change it myself if I want to. If I don’t it will simply stay the same.