Request for Google to fix this - Cardio load is broken for spinning.

[Piroshki]

Why has this not been fixed yet? It has been weeks people have started reporting this. All the metrics for the exercise are being tracked, but it calculates a 0 cardio load. I get more cardio load making breakfast than I do with almost 1 hour of cycling. I'm not exaggerating - look at the second screenshot below!

Come on Google/Fitbit. I'm tired of seeing "I'm hearing there will be an update that will fix this". Latest update didn't.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Piroshki]

I just spoke to customer service, who told me the latest update (which I downloaded today), fixes the problem. Will report back when I cycle next!

[RiekoC]

Hello @Piroshki 

Please let us know what version of the Fitbit app that you installed and if it really did fix the Cardio Load issue with spinning/biking.

[Piroshki]

Hi Rieko - 

I downloaded the latest app (version 4.35) after being told on a customer support chat that the issue would be resolved with this version. The answer is: NO.

Again, I got more cardio load from a walk to get coffee at lunchtime than I did for a 30-minute spinning workout.

This is so frustrating.

[Fiddler_Crab]

I'm having the same problem. I don't understand why this hasn't been fixed. I'm explicitly starting and stopping tracking and my heart is recorded the whole time. Very frustrating.

I'm also tired of the next release song and dance. Very poor PR. It just feels like the support personnel use it as a way of closing the ticket without resolving anything. I don't mind if something is still being worked, but I'd appreciate some honesty about why it's not fixed and when I should expect a fix. The way things are being handled now, people are gradually losing confidence in the company's commitment to its customers. Not good.

[RiekoC]

Hello @Piroshki 

Thank you for confirming that version 4.35 didn't fix the issue with spinning/biking & Cardio Load.

Please post to this thread (<-- click link) and share the details of the issue, including your Fitbit version number. If you can, please tag DavidFitbit, the Moderator, in your post. He will forward the information to the engineering team to let them know what issues weren't fixed in the 4.35 app update.

Also, please submit the issue using the Feedback option in the Fitbit app

• Tap on your picture in the upper right of the Today page in the Fitbit app
• Tap on Feedback in the menu that opens
• Complete the prompts & submit

Although it's like that you won't receive a reply, the team receives & reviews the feedback reports.

[Piroshki]

Hi Rieko - Interestingly, during this morning's workout, I got a cardio load of 12. Still completely inadequate, but better than the 1 I was getting previously. I'm wondering if it takes a few days to calibrate after a tweak to the algorithm... I'll report back if the numbers keep climbing to something more reasonable.

[RiekoC]

Hello @Piroshki 

Although that doesn't seem like you're getting the full Cardio credit for your workout, that's an improvement. Hopefully, this indicates that you'll continue to get more credit for your spinning sessions.

I'll be watching for your reports.

[bde1]

Cardio load for spinning not working - received cardio load of 6 for 50 minute spin with 49 minute in vigorous and peak zones. Fitbit app version is 4.35 Android 15 on Pixel 9, using Pixel Watch 3 for heart rate. 

I am not sure how this got through product testing - spinning being one of the most popular cardio exercises! The issue has been raised since release of pixel watch 3 in 2024 and no fix yet?

Can you please dedicate some resources to fix this - it will make alot of your customers both present and future happy! Thanks

[MomBee]

I have this problem also.  I switch between treadmill, arm ergonometer, and exercise bike weekly due to arthritis. There is no fitbit arm activity, so I just use workout.  Since I see this is broken, I'm going to use 'workout' in place of 'spinning' also.

It's discouraging that they can't resolve this.

I found a workaround for using exercise bikes. Probably not real bikes.  If you rest your watch arm lightly on your thigh, it will slide up and back enough to create steps.  So obviously, steps are a component of cardio load.  The problem with this is that you get a LOT of steps you don't deserve. But I got a reasonable cardio load number.

[YachatsMike]

I am training myself to ignore Cardio Load.  I researched TRIMP, the measuremen technology that forms the basis for the calculation.  There seems to be several ways to do it and the results don't seem use any real agreed upon universal target values.

The basic calculation is  time x intensity..  Time is measured in minutes but there seems to be a lot of different methods for measuring intensity. Formulas use HR, HRR, HR zone, and VO,uptake.  Sometimes a "scaling factor" is applied depending on what kind of exercise you are doing.  Every author seems to have his own twist.

All this sounds like a system I already know -- Active Zone Minutes.  AZM = Time x HR Zone.  Zone = 1 for Moderate and 2 for Vigorous or Peak.  The minimum recommended amount of exercise recommended by HHS is 150 AZM a week.  I aim for 450 to maintain the fitness I want.  I don't need some voodoo number calculated with a formula Fitbit doesn't publish to set my personal goal.

[dpbuech]

Same issue on stairmaster. 35 minutes of intense exercise heart rate to 160 and ended up with less cardio load than walking with my camera with a low heart rate. I called Google support and the tech didn't understand the basics of the app. I trained him. Why isn't this fixed. 

[ccstarr]

Hundreds of people report this

These forums and Reddit is full of people saying Spinning reports 0 Cardio Load in Fitbit

It has been months, what is going on... Spinning is one of the world's most popular cardio activities

It's getting beyond a joke