Auto recognized exercises and active minutes

[Helenbg]

What is the point in having "Auto Recognized Exercises" and Active Minutes when the device, an Inspire HR, doesn't recognize either the exercise or the minutes?

I just did a 2 mile bike ride, but I have learned that I have to MANUALLY turn on the bicycle exercise and MANUALLY turn it off for it to recognize that I rode my bike, and yet I have 0 active minutes after riding 2 miles. 

There has to be a better device out there that actually does what it says it will do.

I am very quickly getting over the Fitbit brand.

I got the Inspire because it is waterproof and said it would auto recognize when I swim, but NO, it doesn't do that either.

It ONLY auto recognizes walking and ONLY gives active minutes for that.

I'd give it maybe 3 stars in a review.

[Julia_G]

Hi, @Helenbg , yu may need to check your settings for auto recognized activities.  On yur Fitbit app go to your account setting (it’s the profile picture icon top left on the opening screen) and then on the account screen choose “exercise”.  There you can select which exercises that your Fitbit will automatically detect, and how long you have to be doing it before it is detected.  (The minimum is 10 mins.). You might want to unselect exercises that you never do to avoid your device sometimes detecting the wrong exercise.  When you have made any changes, be sure to sync your Fitbit.

To answer your specific question, no, definitely should not have to manually turn on and off the bicycle exercise in order for it to detect - although that option is available to you, and if you do turn it on, you should be able to get distance as well.  You will not get distance recorded for any auto detected exercise.

Active minutes is a little more complicated.  Your fitbit will need to detect that you are exercising at a moderate to vigourous level before minutes are awarded, based on how much your HR is elevated and fast you are gathering steps (or gaining pace on the bike) so a gentle bike ride, or leisurely stroll, might not award you active minutes for all (or any) of the time.  

I hope this helps.