Looking at the Mi Band 7 or Mi Smart Band 8, you see the mysterious numbers next to the PAI label? This figure has appeared in the Xiaomi ecosystem relatively recently, but has become a key indicator of health for millions of users. Unlike usual steps or burned calories, PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) offers a universal measure of physical activity that is directly related to life expectancy — and this is not a marketing ploy, but the result of years of medical research.
While previously fitness bracelets were just counting steps, Xiaomi now uses a sophisticated algorithm that analyzes the intensity of loads, their duration and even the type of activity (walking, running, swimming). PAI You can use Mi Band bracelets to figure out why it's more accurate than traditional metrics, and what to do if you're too low or too high, and you can also learn how to score 100. PAI for a week without exhausting training.
What is PAI and why Xiaomi added it to bracelets
PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) is a personal activity index developed from the HUNT Fitness Study, which involved more than 40,000 people, and the idea is that it's not the number of steps, but the intensity of the load that determines the benefits for the cardiovascular system, for example, 10,000 slow-motion steps will be less beneficial than 30 minutes of brisk walking or 15 minutes of running.
In Xiaomi bracelets (starting with Mi Band 5), PAI is calculated using a formula that takes into account:
- 📈 Heart rate (HR) during activity
- ⏱️ Duration of load
- 🏃 Type of activity (walking, running, cycling, swimming, etc.)
- 🔥 Intensity (low, moderate, high)
Research shows that the maintenance PAI ≥ 100 a week reduces your risk of heart disease by 25 to 30 percent, and it doesn't matter how you score these points: you can run for 10 minutes every day or you can do an intensive exercise routine once a week.
How to calculate PAI on Mi Band: formula and examples
The PAI algorithm in Xiaomi bracelets uses data from an optical heart rate sensor and an accelerometer. The formula takes into account how much your heart rate during exercise exceeds the threshold value (usually 50-60% of the maximum heart rate). The higher your heart rate and the longer the load, the more PAI points you get.
Examples of scoring:
| Activity | Duration | Exemplary PAI per session |
|---|---|---|
| Walking (moderate pace) | 30 minutes. | 5-8 points |
| Running (HR 140-160 beats / min) | 20 minutes. | 15-20 points |
| Swimming (intensive) | 45 minutes. | 25-30 points |
| Bicycle (mountain, high pace) | 1 hour | 30-40 points |
Important: PAI is reset every week (Monday at 00:00) If you score 100 on Wednesday, by the next Monday, it will be zeroed, and you have to start over, and this is done to motivate regular workouts.
💡
To score 100 PAIs faster, combine cardio (running, cycling) with strength exercises. For example, 30 minutes of running + 20 minutes of dumbbell training can produce up to 40 points at a time.
Where to watch PAI on Xiaomi fitness bracelet
Depending on the bracelet model and the firmware version, PAI can be displayed differently. Here are all the possible ways:
- 📱 Bracelet screen: Scroll down on the home screen (on the Mi Band) 7/8 Smart Band 8 Pro.Icon. PAI It looks like a heart with numbers.
- 🔄 Application Mi Fitness/Zepp Life: Open the app and select your bracelet. Go to Activity or Health. Find the block. PAI (This may be called the Personal Activity Index»).
- 📊 Weekly report: Appendix in Statistics section → Week shows the accumulation schedule PAI.