Benefits of logging a workout

[JasonE50]

Need a little help, could someone very simply explain the difference and benefits of 'starting/logging' a workout on my Charge 3 vs. just working out and let it record increased heart rate/steps.  For example, if I hop on treadmill and run 1 mile it logs 'exercise time'; but what are benefits of turning my fitbit to treadmill mode and logging it?  Am I missing extra data or something else.  Kind of easy question but just trying to get my arms around it.  Thank you kindly.

[JohnnyRow · Accepted solution]

As far as daily total steps and calories, There is no difference.  And if Fitbit is recognizing your treadmill run to your satisfaction, then you are not missing out on anything. 

But using the Exercise App to start and stop the recording has several advantages in many cases:

1. You know that your workout will get logged as an exercise session.  Sometime Fitbit does not auto-recognize that you are doing a workout.  And there are a limited number of exercises that Fitbit can recognize what they are, just from the movement of your wrist.  In general I would say walking and running are exercises Fitbit does best at auto-recognizing.  But say for instance on my rowing machine, if I don't use the Exercise app to start it as "Workout', or any category, it does not record it as an exercise session, though it does still count record raised heart rate, calories, "steps".
2. You get to pick the exercise name it will be called.  If you just let Fitbit figure it out for itself, it might not be able to recognize what you are doing.
3. You know that you will get credit for the full time of the workout.  If you just let Fitbit figure out your start and end, it might get the times right, maybe not recording the full exercise session.

[Heybales]

Another benefit that goes more to doing workouts in the first place - to see progress, to make improvements.

How would you know if you are making progress and improvements?

Some workouts are self-evident - is the weight on the bar going up while lifting?

Still have to record that somewhere, or memorize a bunch of info. If you are doing 1 lift, great. If you are doing 8 between 2 days - good luck.

For cardio, fitness improvement is either doing the same level of work, intensity (pace or speed), and HR is lower.

Or HR is the same, and intensity should go up.

Again with logging, how do you compare to see if you are using time well or just doing the motions. Like the people that are walking 2 mph staring at phone on treadmill, same thing as 2 months ago. Yes, they aren't sitting on couch, but at that point - not a whole lot better as far as improvements.

Did pace increase, but weight went down? Then did you really improve?

Showing it as workout with the stats allows quick review.

And since Fitbit is creating an Activity Record there - you can change the text label later to something more meaningful with important to you stats, for quicker review later.

[JasonE50]

Very good points I did not consider.  I think I will try to start logging some workouts to experiment.  Thanks for the thoughts.

[charleskn]

I think the two main benefits are:

1. You have more control over logging the type of exercise. I also use the "Exercise" exercise mode, for my lifting workouts, and rename them later (e.g. push/pull, chest & arms, etc.). This lets you better track the time for various workouts, and other stats, if you care.
2. If you workout outdoors (run/walk), some devices have GPS, and can generate a map of your route.