Discrepency between treadmill reading and fitbit

[fannemoran]

Today I jogged on the treadmill for almost an hour straight. When I was done my fitbit said I went 4 miles but the treadmill said I only went 3.1. Which is more accurate. Also, yesterday my husband and I jogged on treadmills next to each other. His speed said 4.5 mph, mine said only 3.5 MPH, yet we jogged stride for stride (he's only an inch taller). When we were done it said he ran a little over move than 1/2 mile more than I did. So confusing.

[Thorgrym]

At what speed were you jogging on the treadmill? Which Fitbit are you using?

The distance logged on the Fitbit - in my opinion - isn't entirely accurate. It is certainly a good guide and provides you with a target in the sense of walking/running farther today than you did yesterday.

As for the difference in readings between you Fitbit and the treadmill - we're talking about two machines. There is a margin of error on both counts.

With the account of you and your husband running side by side, stride for stride - that one has me baffled!

[Heybales]

Treadmill more accurate.

That's why you adjust your stride length settings if you get inkling they aren't correct.

And your comments about comparing with husband walking.

Is that treadmill speed it sounds like, but your cadence or turn-over is the same. That's not surprising.

Height doesn't matter totaly of course, leg length, muscle for pushing, ect is what matters.

Also, you didn't give time of your little compare, so doing your math, is 1/2 correct or not. Sounds like both of your stride length measurements are off.

[slysam]

Are you referring to what the treadmill stated as your distance or your Fitbit? If you were exactly step in step on a treadmill--he most likely would have covered more distance than you since he probably has a longer stride length. Outside, if you were walking together the same distance and pace, you most likely would be taking more steps than him. I am 5' 1" and I noticed that I typically take nearly twice as many steps when walking with a tall person. But it isn't just total height, it is the distance you cover per step--two people the same height may cover different distances depending on their technique.   Your Fitbit distance and speed is largely based on your steps and your stride length settings for walking and running. If you didn't measure and enter a stride length, it is based on your height and gender. Sometimes the default estimate is correct and sometimes not. You can make your fitbit distance and pace data more accurate by measuring and calibrating your stride. I have tried a few methods, and found my most accurate results came from investing one workout to calibrate my stride. I wrote a detailed blog post about the method I used: slysamgettingfit.blogspot.com/2014/08/how-to-calibrate-your-fitbit-stride.html

[mkbc59]

how do you adjust stride lengths?

My treadmill says I'm walking at least a half mile more than what the fitbit says. 

[Heybales]

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@mkbc59 wrote:

how do you adjust stride lengths?

My treadmill says I'm walking at least a half mile more than what the fitbit says. 

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Gave solution on your topic.

[Canaveralgal]

I have saneprib

[Canaveralgal]

Sorry about auto correct.   I was saying . I have same problem

[WendyB]

It will never match. Your stride is different on the treadmill than out side.

I just go with it. Its not off by that much to worry about.

@Canaveralgal

[Heybales]

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@Canaveralgal wrote:

Sorry about auto correct.   I was saying . I have same problem

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Your treadmill, or at a gym?

Do you know when it last had the belt distance calibrated correctly, so you know you can trust it as accurate?

Is this for walking or running?

Because that is 2 different settings.

Walking stride-length is what your daily activity burn is based on.

You would not want it set to exercise level pace, nor on an incline on treadmill (Fitbit's can't determine if any incline) - or else then it would be more inaccurate for the vast majority of your daily movement.