Fitbit Charge 2 data way off compared to Orange Theory data

[googleuser]

                                       Orange Theory chest strap monitored 147 avg HR, 507 calories burned.  I used to use a Polar with a chest strap for many years working out and this data is average for me.  My Fitbit Charge 2 shows avg HR 124 and 422 calories burned.  I know the HR data is incorrect and belive the calories burned to be incorrect based on historical data for me using Polar with a chest strap.  I just bought this Fitbit as a Christmas present to myself.  This is a huge discrepancy between Orange Theory chest strap data and my FB.   :((((((((

[USAF-Larry]

Very intresting, @googleuser.  I have a Polar chest strap which connects via Bluetooth to my elliptical machine.  I was working out on the elliptical this afternoon and decided to check the HR reading on the elliptical and the Charge 2 to see how close they were.  Each time I checked, they were within a few points, and never over 10 points different.  But, in my case the Charge 2 was recording higher HR readings than the Polar chest strap was. The only difference I saw was that the HR on the chest strap was more consistently close to the same reading, while the Charge 2 went up and down 5 to 7 points.

[SunsetRunner]

Make sure the Charge 2 is laying flat on your wrist. Not too tight but a bit snug, if you are running or jogging and the fitbit is moving about on your wrist it won't be able to read your HR as accurately. I have also found with my Charge HR that sweat also interfers with its ability to pickup my HR.

I generally wear my Garmin Fenix 2 with the chest strap when I am doing a workout I want to track. I'll still wear the Charge HR but I don't look at it for gauging workout performance. I use it more to track sleep, resting HR, steps and just a general idea of calories burned through the day.

[Komick]

Your fitbit is not accurate.  I find that it shines when you are sedentary (sitting still) or even on a bike.  The jarring nature of running makes it nearly impossible for any tracker to assess your heart rate.  Go with the chest strap when you go to the gym.  I still love my fitbit because it does it's job when I'm weight training, biking or doing non-high impact training.  

It's a great purchase for tracking, but you just need to be realistic.  It's like trying to take a picture with a camera when you are jumping up and down on a trampoline.  It's reading is blurred.

[AnnieDeP]

I have used a Polar watch and chest strap in the past and agree, I don't think the Fitbit numbers are accurate. However, I do know I've been moving and sleeping more since I started using it in November, so that works for me. So in my mind, it's doing it's job. If I start doing serious training (other than walking, ellipitcal and strength training) I will use a chest strap to monitor HR. I love hitting my step goals and using the deep breathing exercises before bed. I'm out cold in minutes!

[Dominique]

If you are interested in calories burned (for instance, to plan weight loss), you should be primarily interested in the amount burned during 24 hours, not just what you burn during whatever the length of your workout is. I believe the 24-hour estimate for energy expenditure with Fitbit is reasonably accurate. Does you get a similar estimate with your Orange Theory / Polar chest strap and watch? Probably not, because few people bother wearing a cheststrap for 24 hours, and especially not everyday.

If you believe your chest strap provides a better estimate for your workouts, and you believe it makes a significant difference for the 24-hour expenditure, just use your chest strap for tracking your workouts and log the activity manually in Fitbit.