Difference between exercise mode

[Paler]

Hi all,

Maybe this question has been asked many times before but I could not find an appropriate answer to it.

I just purchased a Fitbit Blaze and noticed that in "Exercise Mode" there are so many different categories. I mainly focus on walking and running. So what's the differences between these mode? It only calculates the distance differently based on stride length, that's all? Or there are some hidden features under the hood?

Also if I combine running and walking, say, I run for 20 mins and walk for another 20 mins, which mode should I choose?

Also what's the point for "Treadmill" mode?

Sorry there are so many questions and thank you all in advance!

[FerdinandFitbit · Accepted solution]

Hi @Paler. I'm happy to see you in the Fitbit Community! 🙂

About the exercise modes... All the exercise shortcuts that you will find in the Exercise section are especifically designed to track the most out of each type of activity. The algorithms have been fine tuned to get more accurate data for each different exercise so that's the reason why there is a category for each.

There is also SmartTrack. It automatically recognizes and records select exercises to ensure you get credit for your most active moments of the day.

SmartTrack recognizes continuous, high-movement activities such as walking, running, outdoor biking and elliptical. This means that if your tracker records your activity automatically, it should recognize the difference between when you're running and when you're walking but in case you want to track those exercises yourself, I'd recommend recording the run and end it and then start recording your walk separately.

Now, for the treadmill mode. As I mentioned above, algorithms that detect exercises have been fine tuned to give you more accurate stats. When you're on a treadmill, you're running but you remain in on place and when you're going on a run, you do move across the ground. That's maybe the main difference.

Hope this answers your question and if you need more help, let me know! 🙂

[Paler]

Thanks for the answer, it makes sense to me.

[jpATL]

Can you tell me what mode would work best for tennis. I play soemtimes five days a week and would like to track calories burned and such.

[FerdinandFitbit]

Good to see you in the Community @jpATL 🙂

I'd say that the Tennis mode would be perfect as it's specifically tailored for that activity.

For being able to see it in your exercise shortcuts, go your tracker settings by tapping on the little icon of your tracker that appears on your dashboard, go down to "Exercise shortcuts" and at the bottom, you will find something that says "+Exercise Shortcut" and here you can add Tennis.

After that, make sure to sync your tracker and then, go into your exercise shortcuts and you'll find it there.

Hope this helps. Anything else, let me know! 🙂

[jpATL]

Perfect, thank you

[Medeamagic]

What is the difference between circuit training mode and workout mode? I read different algorithms but what is the exact difference between these, or are they generally the same? Will using either create the same outcome?  I sometimes use workout (or circuit training) when I get to the gym and do full body and cardio, because really, if I put it on treadmill mode, I forget to finish it and then go to weightmode. So was hoping one of these modes could be used for a general all over workout, and if so, which is best??

[FerdinandFitbit]

Hi there @Medeamagic. Glad to see you in the Community Forums! 🙂

When it comes to the exercise shortcuts, this is as you mentioned, tailored algorithms for each activity. Now, since it also depends on the activities you're doing, the calorie burn will not change dramatically between each other.

Workout mode is more for isolated routines that you don't want to give a specific category and if you go for the Circuit Training mode, you will want to use it for resistance training where you will be using high-intensity aerobics.

Any other question you may have, let me know!

[4WallHB]

Hi there,

I bought my Blaze in Feb2017, The exercise modes are run, bike, weights, tennis, and workout.  My physical activities include tennis, handball, stationary bike and weights.  I go to my YMCA 3-5 time a week and use their Activrax program to also track my nutrition & exercise.  Normally the stationary bike's calorie and bpm are close to what my Fitbit shows; however, what the activtrax program calculates (Calorie count)  for the weight workout it prints out for me each day is usually 2-3 time higher then what my fitbit calculates when I place it in the weight mode.  I also feel the bpm is lower, because it normally show a max bpm much lower and what I felt while doing some of the weights.  I normally do 8-10 machines for 45-55 minutes. I feel the algorithm for the weight program is not correctly calculating the calories being burned. 

[krisclimber123]

Hi!  Do you know if this info is the same for Charge HR 2?... As in- that it also has various algorithms for the different exercises and calorie tracking?  

[4WallHB]

Sorry I do not know.

[dscarfogliero]

Which workout mode should I be using for Orangetheory classes? Thanks for the help!

[Mintyfresh24]

I am also wondering this as well. The avg heart rate comes out 20bpm lower on the versa for me than my otf hr monitor, and the calorie burn on the fitbit was about half of the actual total!