Tracking during Water aerobics

[Maggie60564]

One of the advisors just informed me that standing in one place while doing repetition of exercise during water aerobics doesn't track b/c there's no movement with position ~ you're standing in one place.  Does anyone else have the problem of no tracking?  I have swimming and sport turned on "auto".  Thank you for your reply.

[NellyG · Accepted solution]

Smart track does not recognise water aerobics. It may recognise parts of the workout as either sports or aerobic activity - it depends on what you are doing in relation to Fitbit's parameters for recognising these activities. I have heard of some people wearing their flex 2 on their ankle and it then counts the steps you do fairly accurately. Whether it would recognise this as an activity or not I dont know.

[Maggie60564]

Thanks Nelly ~ I'll have to switch to larger band to put on ankle.  I'll try it but what a pain to switch bands when doing water aerobics. 

Then on the other hand ~ reality is the Fitbit doesn't fulfill my personal needs ~ why keep it?  I was going to purchase Alta HR but for more $$$ and it doesn't count while on the treadmill?  I have to think long and hard if, I want to spend $$$.

[NellyG]

Yes, it is all about what works for you.  i hope you find a good solution.

[Maggie60564]

Nelly, Thanks for your encouragement and taking the time to answer the
questions. Fitbit is such a craze ~

[Tlc2]

I just worked out in the water for 60 minutes never stopped using my legs and arms and it only tracked 35 minutes!  I'm pissed.  Thinking about throwing this thing in the trash 

[Maggie60564]

Hi,

You have to decide what you want tracked? I'm tracking steps not the activity. Same as riding my bike, I'm tracking steps. As a new user I can attest that Fitbit was getting a call from me every other day. I have the Flex 2 b/c I do water aerobics any where from five to six days a week. Again, I'm interested in steps and not activity don't give up, be a pain in their butts and call every day and speak with a live person. Explain what you want tracked, accomplished and they will share how to attain your goals. After a month, I figured how to get my 10,000 steps - I walk an hour on treadmill at 2.5 speed; go to water aerobics and by the time I leave the gym - I'm at 12,500 - 13,500 steps. I've move my challenge to 15,000 steps a day. The days I don't go to the gym, I'm averaging between 5,500 and 6,000. I'm retired so I'm not interested as if I was back in the office. I hope his help - don't give up, speaking to a live person will bring clarity to what you want accomplish. Have a good day, evening and weekend.

Maggie

[Juju4u]

Bottom line fitbit does nor work with water aerobics.  As dissapointed as it may be i still use my FB religiously but between not working on water aerobics and the need to charge often it is a bit of a let down

[Tlc2]

Thank you 😊

[DonnaR57]

I am now a 2-FitBit owner, as I just got a Flex 2 (through my wellness plan at work).  One of the reasons I got the Flex 2 is the ability to wear it in the water, when swimming or doing water aerobics.

Oh, I'm sort of disappointed, but yet I'm not.  Wearing it at Water Aerobics yesterday, it did not Smart Track. OK, that I can live with, there's always manual addition!  Once I did that, though, it told me that I put on 1742 steps in the hour class, and burned 201 calories. (On the latter, another woman in class said she looked online, and calorie burn for water aerobics varied by body weight.)   The 1742 steps sounds about right, because we do so much movement in class - arms, legs, "water jog", kicks while walking through the pool, etc.  

Before my Flex 2 came, I would just leave my Charge HR in my swim-bag and manually add in Water Aerobics.  I wouldn't get ANY steps, but it still gave me 201 calories for the hour class.  

For me, I've gained two things:  a second tracker for the times when one has to charge, and a tracker that will tell me how many steps I did in water aerobics.   When I actually go to a pool to swim, I'll see if it will auto-track that. 

Donna 

[Maggie60564]

I use the Flex 2 for water aerobics and I found it tracks very well!  I love it!  I'd love to wear my Versa but many of the women have convinced me the chlorine isn't good on any jewelry.  I've researched the effect of chlorine on jewelry and encourage everyone to do their own research and decide what you prefer to wear.  Don't be discourage ~ it might be the instructors.  We have four different instructors and I've average any where between 4200-5400 steps.  Don't give up and find a solution to what you want 🙂

Hi, I wanted to share what I've learned.  I have family members who used FitBit and then purchased an Apple Watch Series 2.  The overwhelming response is they LOVE the format and program FitBit has.  Apple hasn't come close yet ~ to having a tracking program like FitBit.

The thought is:  if you want to track your steps and activities ~ FitBit is the one.  If you want a "mini" phone with all the bells and whistles (i.e., answering calls and respond to text immediately), Apple Series 2 is what you'd want.

Oh don't don't throw it away.  Flex 2 is a good answer.  The instructors at the location where I attend, have us moving throughout the pool.  We have cardio ~ one minute interval then it's 30 sec regular speed and 30 sec double time.  We have the warm up, cardio and then slow down, stretching.  If that's not the format the class you're taking, find another class.  We go 10 mins warm up, 45 mins cardio and 20 mins cool down.

Moderator edit: merged posts

[NellyG]

@Maggie60564 I have been wearing my Ionic in the pool twice a week for nearly 9 months now with absolutely no ill effects that I can see, so I would suggest the Versa should be fine too. But I also love my flex 2!

[bikerhiker]

@Maggie60564 I actually bought the Flex 2 as a second tracker to my Apple Watch, because I needed it for pool swimming specifically.  Also in times when I work in nursing where it has a greater chance of being exposed to body fluids and poop, I can clean the flex off and sterilize it easier than my Apple Watch with no ill effects.  Having said that, I need a third party software like Heart Watch and Autosleep to bring the level of metrics on par with the Fitbit app and this is what truly impressed me.  The Fitbit app is truly made for fitness enthusiasts!  I

In regards to chlorine, the only concern I have is the seals around the watch to keep it water resistant and how long can it withstand the effect of Chloramine before the seals break down and compromise your watch.  Having worked in the technology field in my early life before switching to nursing, I had seen even the best waterproof claimed cameras flooded.  It is a risk.  I suggest having an insurance policy with a watch that provides an exchange if and when the watch gets flooded.  Incidentally, my Flex 2 was given an extended warranty with insurance to cover water damage and battery problems for 2 more years free from the shop I bought it from.  That means my Flex 2, if compromised by pool water or by body fluids, is covered by this accident policy for a total of 3 years.   

[AlvaroFitbit]

Welcome! It's great to see you around  @Maggie60564 and @bikerhiker. Thank you all (you too @NellyG ) for sharing your experiences and thought. I don't personally swim so this is really interesting and helps me better understand a lot of things. I am happy to hear that you all have had good experiences with your devices. I just want to add that regardless of the device the recommend wristband to be worn during swimming sessions is the elastomer one. If you purchased a leather, metal or woven band then switch them before doing your water sport or swimming sessions. Also if you can it is a good idea purchasing an extended warranty but it is up to you if you wish to buy this. You can find this option at the Fitbit store or places like Amazon and Best Buy offer this too.

I'll be around!

[aldensmith]

There are few smart track which are waterproof and rated for use while  swimming. Like Fit bit Flex 2 which is rated to 50 meters. You can wear it in the pool and it will count steps for water walking. Another one is Polar both will perform recording as well.

[AlvaroFitbit]

@aldensmith I hope you're doing well!

Thank you for your input. I would also like to add that there are newer devices like the Versa family, Ionic and Inspire devices that you can use while swimming.

I'll be around!

[Kimberley14]

I purchased a Fitbit Inspire HR 4 weeks ago, sadly it does NOT detect/ track my 50 mins a day, 4-5 days a week Aqua Aerobics classes. At first it came up as swimming, then then it stopped and started counting my classes as steps. Very frustrating, the reason I bought this was because the reviews said it tracks both land and water exercises - but it only realistically tracks swimming! I even tried using an ankle strap, but that didn't work either. It still tracks my aqua classes as counted steps. Feel like I've wasted my time, energy and money on this. Really disappointed. Unless someone else has any other options/ ideas, I'll give it a go.

[Kinspireuser]

I have used an HR Inspire for years in aquascize.  All I do is put it on workout mode and I see my time and calories.  It works just fine in that mode.

[Floridagirl63]

I found a chart that converts activities to steps and I have been using it and adding steps. 

Water aerobics

89 Steps per Minute

15 minutes =1335 Steps

45 minutes =4005

60 minutes 5340

You can find all activities under Healthy Utah conversion chart

https://www.pehp.org