Charge 2 undercounting steps on elliptical

[Dave_S82]

Tested the accuracy of my charge 2 using the exercise tracker on the elliptical setting versus the machine itself. 30min session, average speed 12km/h, average 80rpm (160 steps/min). That means 4800 steps and 6km total distance was the machine's count, however the charge only counted 2700 steps and 2.1km total distance. I can understand some inaccuracy but this seems a bit absurd, particularly when i get 3600 steps on the charge from a 30min treadmill walk at 6km/h - so more steps from less exercise. What is going on? Why does the charge severely underestimate steps on the elliptical?

[RobertoME]

Hi there @Dave_S82, thank you for visiting the Fitbit Community! Also thank you for taking the time to measure the accuracy of your Charge 2 while you are on the elliptical machine.

I can see the difference among the treadmill and the elliptical, since the movement is a bit different. With the treadmill there is an impact on your step, so for your tracker is more easy to detect this motion pattern, different from the elliptical machine that remove the impact of walking due to the motion is constant and for the same reason the data might not match exactly the data is showing the machine.

I have used my Charge 2 in my gym sessions doing the same exercise and the difference is not that high. So in your case I would recommend to experimenting how high you place the tracker on your wrist. Moving the tracker up a couple inches can be helpful during high-intensity exercises or exercises that cause you to bend your wrist frequently for a better reading.

If the issue keep persisting I recommend to perform a restart: How to restart your Charge 2?

Give it a try and hope this helps.

[Dave_S82]

Hi @RobertoME - thanks heaps for the suggestion about placing the Fitbit higher on the wrist, I will definitely give it a go. I have already restarted it though. But I do think it has to do with inaccuracy during high intensity low impact exercise so hopefully your suggestion will help. If not, I'm not too concerned at the end of the day - making it harder for me to get to my step goals is a bit of a blessing in disguise I guess haha! 🙂