Adding more exercise modes like surfing

[NotAnAthlete]

Hello. I asked Fitbit if they could add more exercise modes like surfing to the Fitbit and they said to post it on the community board. I feel like adding more exercise modes will give Fitbit wears more options to track more activities then just the standard ones that come on the watch/tracker itself. I hope they add more in a future update. 

[Argali]

Use the "Workout" exercise shortcut. The web dashboard allows you to replace "Workout" with any of a larger list of activities, including your own custom activities, if not already listed.

From the bottom of the Fitbit webpage, Log Activities,

I created

• Rehab Routine,
• Recumbent,
• Shock Rowing,
• Crank miles &
• Trike miles

Create custom activity

All of these can replace "Workout."

[LZeeW]

@NotAnAthlete   Fitbit created an Outdoor Workout shortcut, designed for things like kayaking.  It is aimed at non-step based activities and can use GPS.  To the best of my knowledge, it is only on the Charge 4.  We won't know if it is on the Charge 5 until it is released.

I agree with you about the limited options for tracking.  Open water swimming is another shortcut where Fitbit doesn't keep up with other brands.

@Argali   I often give the same advice about renaming "Workout" activities.  Many users want to differentiate among activities.  This is the way to do it.  Some common, widely practiced activities just shouldn't take this much work.

[DavideFitbit]

It's good to see you around the Community forums, @NotAnAthlete! 

As mentioned earlier, you could use the workout option to track this non-step based activity of you could also log the activity manually for more accuracy. However, if you'd specifically like to see a workout mode or shortcut for "Surfing", I also recommend that you vote for this idea posted in the Suggestion board of the Community, as this is always helpful for the team of developers to continue to track popularity and demand over time.  

Have a great day. 😀

[t.parker]

@NotAnAthlete Fitbit devices used to support the same 20 types of exercises for a couple of years already and it doesn't look like there is any focus on improving sports tracking functionality.

@Argali lots of activities collect different stats. Renaming is fine but look, for example, at rowing - you want probably to know a little more like the number of strokes and distance. For surfing, probably GPS would be a nice option (Workout doesn't support GPS), speed, distance. When I climb, I want to know the total ascent, the number of routes, grades, and failed attempts (useful data during competition). Yet, the' Workout' covers just basics and still, there's no way to edit the data. It's a shame that Fitbit pretty much has abandoned sports tracking and is so much behind competitors.

[Argali]

@t.parker, my Inspire HR does not recognize rowing strokes (or weight reps) as steps.

[t.parker]

@Argali I'm not talking about steps but actual strokes or, as you mentioned, weight reps, like Garmin does (I can see reps count, it even recognizes actual weight exercises). It's not being converted into steps (because why would it? these are not steps) but exists alongside as an additional stat. I can even connect my rowing machine to the watch directly (smart trainer feature). Fitbit sports tracking functionality requires a huge (really huge) update to catch up with what's in the market nowadays. Not only the device side but the dashboard, too (better analytics). However, seeing the direction of current development, it's not really a priority for the company.