walking with hiking poles

[rdes]

I use hiking poles when doing my beach walk to cope with deep sand and a some high climbs, however, when using these, the step count shows far less than I actually cover (accelerometer orientation perhaps?) is there any suggestion on this?

[JohnnyRow]

Wouldn't be accelerometer orientation as note in all specs it is called "3-axis accelerometer" so will detect motion in any plane.  But I don't have other explanation.

[charleskn · Accepted solution]

I can only guess that the problem is the way the algorithm is designed to detect walk, by the way your arms swing. If you walk with your hands in you pockets, it doesn't work nearly as well.

@rdes Are you manually starting a walking exercise from your tracker? If not, you might try that. Depending on your device, you may also have the option of GPS tracking your path/distance. Also, since you're using hiking poles, the motion is probably closer to that of using an elliptical trainer. If manually starting a walk doesn't help, try manually starting an elliptical activity to see if that works better.

Post back here with your mobile device and Fitbit tracker type if you need help adding the elliptical activity to your tracker.

[rdes]

Thank you. That makes sense, since the arms are bent and do not cover the same track as when they swing. Will try the manual option. I have a charge 2 and do not connect with my android, so the elliptical option may not be possible.