Does the position of your arms while on a treadmill make a difference with calculating steps?

[Willie]

Has anyone else experienced problems with the force not counting steps and activity while on a treadmill.  My husband usually holds on to the sides of the treadmill while walking.  I have two bad knees and either hold on in front or alternating one hand in front and one to the side.  I get a true count but he doesn't.  Any ideas?  Written by Kathy

[Mer]

Yeah, I've noticed that too. I don't think your arms need to swing, but they need to feel the impact of your steps.

My solution was to put the thing in my pocket while I run on the treadmill, where it seems ot still be totally accurate.

[kflannery]

someone on one of the other posts suggested making a small hole in a wristband and putting it in there and then putting it on you ankle...that seemed to work for the treadmill and bike....

[Mary]

If all you care about is steps count, wearing a Flex on your ankle might work.  But I can't imagine the movement of your ankle is otherwise much like the movement of your wrist as far as it signalling the device what speed/intensity you're walking.  So I wouldn't trust the calorie measurement.  It's programmed to use data collected while on the wrist. 

[Larry]

If I need to hold on when on the treadmill, I use the hand opposite my Force.  I do try to swing my other arm (with the Force) even when holding with one hand.

[50andFabulous]

Good Suggestion!!

[Carol]

I can't imagine using a force.  I knit and crochet.  Can you imagine what it would tell me with that?

[tallson]

It would seem to work on the treadmill where the impact of your feet are counting your steps but on the bike you might be measuring just one leg movement, hence only half of the step count.

[tallson]

Larry,  I have always run or walked without holding on to also train balance. Have had zero problems with step counts.