Charge 5 Exercsie - Treadmill problem

[SunsetRunner]

I start the Treadmill exercsise on the Charge 5, this not accurately tracking the distance on the treadmill.  I ran 3 miles on the treadmill.  The total time of 44 minutes is correct, the heart rate tracked, however, the distance shows 1.6 miles. There is no way to update the distance.  The Charge 4 was very accurate on all my exercises through auto-detect.  Whether the exercise has been auto dected or selected on the Charge 5 from start to finish, the stats are not always accurate.

Anyone else experiencing this also?

[Julia_G]

Hi, @SunsetRunner , when you are not using GPS (which obviously you cannot when you are indoors on a treadmill!) the Fitbit bases distance on your stride length.  It multiples your stride length by the number of steps: distance = stride length * number of steps.

Your stride length is set automatically by Fitbit when you fill in your basic stats: height, weight, age, sex.  First, please do make sure that you have correctly entered your height (in correct units) as that is the most important statistic for setting stride length.

If your height, and other stats are correct in your profile, but you are still getting this discrepancy in your distance, you may need to adjust your stride length setting in your Fitbit app.  Instructions are:

HOW DO I CALCULATE MY STRIDE LENGTH?

To measure your walking stride length:

1. Go to a track or some place where you're sure of the distance.
2. Count your steps as you walk across that distance, making sure you travel at least 20 steps.
3. Divide the total distance (in feet) taken by the number of steps to get your stride length.
4. Your running stride can be calculated the same way if you run instead of walk.

HOW DO I CHANGE MY STRIDE LENGTH?

To change your stride length:

FITBIT APP

1. From the Fitbit app dashboard, tap or click the Account icon. (That's the person icon/photo top left.)
2. Tap or click Advanced Settings.
3. Tap or click Stride Length.
4. Adjust your stride length.

FITBIT.COM DASHBOARD

1. Log into your dashboard and click the gear icon.
2. Choose Settings > Personal Info.
3. Under Advanced Settings, find Stride Length.
4. Click Set on Your Own and adjust your stride length.
5. Click Submit and sync your device.

[SunsetRunner]

My stride has been great for the past 4 years when using the Fitbit Charge 3 and 4.

My profile has the correct stats for me.

Seems like the Charge 5 calculates differently.

[Julia_G]

Hi, @SunsetRunner , Charge 5 def does not calculate differently (on the way distance is calculated).  But sometimes individual workouts go wrong for all kinds of reasons.  If you are happy that this has been working for you for a long time, I would suggest trying a few more exercises/ sessions on the treadmill using your new Charge 5 to see if things iron out.  If not, please post again giving as much information as you can.

[SunsetRunner]

The Fitbit Charge 4 did a great job on autodetecting these workouts for years and never had a problem.  Now I am losing all my workouts with the Charge 5. I like the heart rate tracking along with the distance, steps, etc. Not sure what else I could provide you as the Charge 5 is not tracking these workouts like it did with the Charge 4.