How does Fitbit Blaze calculate calories burned?

[ws2014]

I just received and started using my Fitbit Blaze.  I've noticed that this device is extremely inaccurate in calculating steps so far.  For example, I logged 300 steps driving to work this morning.

My question is, is the Blaze using these steps to calculate my calories burned, or is it simply using heart rate throughout the day together with my age/weight/height stats to calculate calories burned?

[SunsetRunner]

Hi @ws2014

Feel free to check out the Fitbit Article about how Fitbit calculates the calories burned:

http://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1381

[Rich_Laue]

@ws2014 as for logging steps while driving, 300 doesn't seem to be much, is a result of the vehicle bouncing over bumps, and has a lot to do with suspension. Unfortunately this is something that comes with the technology and happens with every tracker from every company.. Fitbit has provided a way to remove steps while driving by following @MakMak's advice here. 

For checking step count accuracy it is best to take a walk while counting steps in the head. 

As for calories take a at this document. 

[ws2014 · Accepted solution]

Thank you for the help.  I think I'm going to be returning this device to get my money back.  Logging an extra 600 steps per day driving, and then in addition, it's logging false steps all day long whenever I use a keyboard, this is becoming more effort than just calculating my calories burned manually.

I'm really looking for something that calculates calories burned through heart rate alone.  I'm not really sure why anything else is needed, especially when the pedometer can be this far off per day.

[Rich_Laue]

600 steps hardly seen to be enough to worry about, since you'll find at other times of the day, say when pushing a cart, the steps won't be counted. 

If you wanted a 99.9% step count accuracy i would stay away from all arm based tracker a since they are only able to monitor arm motions to determine when the legs are moving. 

[ws2014]

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Rich_Laue wrote: If you wanted a 99.9% step count accuracy

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Actually Rich, I'm looking for something that calculates calories burned through heart rate alone, but has a pedometer and activity log as separate features.  Would you happen to have any suggestions for that?

[Rich_Laue]

I'm not sure if that even exists, currently every fitness tracker uses math to guestamate the calories burnt, none seem to be spot on 100% of the time. 

In theory the best for most is to monitor the O2 burn of the body, this is calculated by knowing how much oxygen is burnt when heating 1 gram of water 1°C or 4.1868 Joules. This is assuming the body burns oxygen at the same rate as the heat source of the water, and has its drawbacks. 

[bbarrera]

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@ws2014 wrote:

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Rich_Laue wrote: If you wanted a 99.9% step count accuracy

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Actually Rich, I'm looking for something that calculates calories burned through heart rate alone, but has a pedometer and activity log as separate features.  Would you happen to have any suggestions for that?

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@ws2014 thats what I do. For fun I participate in step challenges using Fitbit MobileTrack on my iPhone as step counter. Its in my pocket all day long, does a great job counting steps and I don't get false steps from driving or even coasting down long hills on a bike.

For calorie burns my exercise of choice is biking, I use a Garmin bike computer and chest strap. I've found the calorie burns to be more accurate than Fitbit, as it uses additional information (VO2Max, fitness level) to fine tune the calorie estimates. Companies like Garmin, Polar, and Suunto have been fine tuning calorie estimates for years. They aren't all day devices but I only burn 300-500 walking around during the day, so the 1000-6000 calories burned on bike rides dominate my calorie burn.

[SunsetRunner]

Garmin are on the ball for correct steps. My wifes fitbit absolutely counts loads more steps than my garmin.

[cristinat]

Hi

Sorry but I saw your coment and, in your opinion fitbit is not good to calculate calories? In fact I see that the steps part is completely inaccurate and I was looking to understand how they calculate the calories durind the day while we move. I have the hr. And thinking to buy the new charge 2, But I'm afraid that is not good. 

I'm a female woith 51 years old, I had health problerms in the past. I'm ok now but I nedd to loose some wheight and to move more because I work at computer for hours, and I like this things that could help us to move, But if it's not good it's a waste of money. Don't you mind to give me your opinion? Thanks very much.

[Lioness3]

This isn't a problem for me. I have HR2. I work on the computer all day at work and just put my fitbit in my pocket. And since I don't wear it while getting dressed in the morning I would say it is wash with the occasional bump in the car. If you join the fitbit groups you'll see it doesn't matter which type you have you just work around it - no big deal.

[cristinat]

Garmin is the best for that. fit bit if you don´t need very accurate reading is ok.Company Fit Bit is very good. But I believe they need to improve fitbit for my experience because I have both. I hope I could help Thanks

[Janie0218]

I am having a problem with the calorie burn at the gym. My fitbit is about 100-120 off from the machines.  My friend has the Apple Whatch and her calorie burn is accurate with them. Why is it reading way less than the machines? I have entered all my info on the app and my heat rate hits 150 and 160 slot and I'm not burning many calories according to my Blaze. Please advise .. thank you 

[AlejandraFitbit]

A warm welcome to the Community @Janie0218. What is the activity that you are logging? Are you in a treadmill, elliptical, etc.? In the meantime, for more information about how the trackers estimate your calories, I recommend taking a look at our How does Fitbit estimate how many calories I've burned? article.

Hope to hear from you soon. 

[Rich_Laue]

@Janie0218, may i ask which direction Fitbit is off compared to the machines? Most machines add a feel good buffer to their calories.