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Cardio Load needs to improve

‎01-07-2025 17:45 - last edited on ‎05-09-2025 12:43 by Fitbit Moderator

‎01-07-2025 17:45 - last edited on ‎05-09-2025 12:43 by Fitbit Moderator

Until “Cardio Load” learns to include Swimming this metric remains useless. 

Swimming is a major component of my fitness regimen, and is seen by many as a premier exercise activity. Fitbit/Google has no issue estimating “Active Zone Minutes” for swimming, and differentiating harder swims from lounging about in the pool by awarding more zone minutes for the session, and it does this without access to heart rate. 

So why would Fitbit/Google not count swimming in cardio load?

50 laps of a 50 metre pool in 55 minutes (or less) is Cardio Load in my training count.

Until Fitbit/Google recognise this I will leave this metric switched off. A shame really it could be good even great, but currently useless.

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

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22 REPLIES 22

‎06-21-2025 15:00

In response to FitCharlotte

‎06-21-2025 15:00

I've been using my Charge 5 for swimming for a couple of years now. My only issues are the lack of cardio load and no indication of the number of lengths completed during a swim - the fitbit just tells me how long I've been swimming! 

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‎06-21-2025 16:20

In response to RiekoC

‎06-21-2025 16:20

Not sure why this distinction is so important. I’ve been swimming with my Fitbit for four years? I’ve never once had a water seal issue. Now I don’t dive to 20 m either. Actually, the only problem I had in the water was one time jumping off the second story of a lake house my watch disconnected itself and floated to the bottom. Never did find it.
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‎06-21-2025 16:40

In response to Notlobian

‎06-21-2025 16:40

So I’m using a sense too for swimming as well. I don’t get cardio load but I do get length even though if I swim 20 lengths, it tells me I swim 19. It typically loses the last one. Also, it gives me steps when I swim, and they swear it doesn’t but, it does 🙂 it doesn’t give you laps/lengths?
The other problem my head was that it wouldn’t save the seconds so I would do 2000 yards in 17 something and it would say 17. Well, the difference between 1740 say and 17 is immense when you as old as I am 🙂 anyway it’s the best answer I have right now but I’m hoping there’s a better one that comes out soon.

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