Charge 5 won't track my steps or distance accurately

[Diggz257]

Anyone else notice at the gym I’ll do 3 or 4 miles on elliptical or treadmill and it says you went 1 mile. Steps are way lower. Anyone else have this issue? Know a fix?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[JohnnyRow]

On treadmill, distance is calculated by multiplying step count times stride length.  So low step count causes distance to be short.  If you are holding hand rail with fitbit wrist, those steps will not be detected.  Fitbit, or any tracker worn on wrist, cannot directly detect steps, but can only infer steps from regular arm swing movement as in walking.  But, when holding hand rail, you should still be getting heart rate which is what calorie burn and zone minutes are based on.  If you are able to hold hand rail with only non-Fitbit hand, then your should get both steps and heart rate.

If step count is more important to you than heart rate and its associated data, you can probably get good step count by putting tracker in pocket.

[Diggz257]

Thank you. I will try to do it with swinging Fitbit arm today. I do hold the rails and measure my heart rate holding the handles. I’ve seen it does count steps even when holding on. However, maybe I’ll get a better reading as recommended.