How to track Zumba and body pump with Blaze?

[Peahead]

Hi all

Just recently got a fitbit blaze and loving it so far

However I am a bit unsure on how to log 2 classes I do regularly... Zumba and body pump.

For body pump it seems that I just use the tracker and log this as a weights activity?

For Zumba there seems to be mixed messages, some are recommending letting the surge automatically detect the workout and some recommend setting the tracker to workout as when you let the tracker automatically detect it doesn't count steps?

Any help as to what the best methods are to accurately log these would be appreciated

Thanks

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Julia_G · Accepted solution]

Hi, @Peahead, there is no right or wrong answer to this question, and I always recommend that people experiment and see what works best for them.  

My personal approach is to log everything except casual walks, amd "accidental" workouts using the exercise shortcuts.  Automatic detection works very well most of the time, but sometimes it misses something, and often it gets the "category" wrong.  So I use the auto detection when I am not consciously doing a workout -- for example, several times last week I was helping my friend digging out some really bad weeds in her garden, and I noticed the Fitbit reported I had engaged in "sport".

When I do a planned workout, as I mentioned, I track them using the shortcuts.  I know the category will automatically record correctly on my log, allowing me to see my stats for that exercise, and I can also see a basic summary right on my wrist when I am done.

What works for you, is up to you!

As for your specific question, automatically detected exercise will count steps.  It will not record distance, so walkers and runners often prefer to track these with the shortcuts.

[Peahead]

Thank you for the advice @Julia_G that makes things much clearer so I will give your suggestion a go.

Thank you for also clarifying my question about steps with auto detection and steps.