How can I get my fitbit to register steps or revolutions using a Spin Bike or stationery bike?

[Cande]

My fitbit registers "steps" when I walk, run, hike, even Hula Hoop. But I'm surprised it doesn't register activity or steps when I use my Spin / Spinning Bike, even when placed on my waistband. Does anyone else Spin? Do you have a way to get it to register? (my husband sjust got me the spinning bike for my birthday!)

Thanks!

[Besty]

I put the fitbit on my ankle.  Just tried it and revolutions equate pretty closely to steps.  I averaged 90 RPM for 30 minutes and came out at about 2,800 steps.  Pretty close. 

[TandemWalker]

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@Besty wrote:

I put the fitbit on my ankle.  Just tried it and revolutions equate pretty closely to steps.  I averaged 90 RPM for 30 minutes and came out at about 2,800 steps.  Pretty close. 

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But your caloric burn, based on steps alone, will be way off, I think. I prefer not to wear my tracker for non-step based activities and log them manually instead. This way,  avoid polluting my true step counts with things that aren't really steps.

    TW     

[Heybales]

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@Besty wrote:

I put the fitbit on my ankle.  Just tried it and revolutions equate pretty closely to steps.  I averaged 90 RPM for 30 minutes and came out at about 2,800 steps.  Pretty close. 

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Actually, the devices normally count each impact of each foot coming down.

It only saw about 1 of your steps, not both feet. So you actually got 1/2 the "steps" you would if truly walking/running.

So in addition to that issue, the calorie burn was calculated on taking that many steps in 30 min, but really soft steps, so almost shuffle steps.

So not pretty close to steps nor calorie count.

Hence the reason non-step based workouts, - swimming should be obvious, rowing, lifting, biking, elliptical - all should be manually logged.

Because even if it saw each "step" of say elliptical - the calorie burn formula for walking/running is not related at all.

[wildfern]

put it on your shoe

[ChandlerBob]

Works on my orbiter

[Annbeck]

I had this problem until I attached my Fitbit to my shoe laces. Then it registers what seems appropriate.

[sherylmiller]

Geeze guys. Throw the thing in a zip lock bag or two and make it waterproof. It's not rocket science. Or if you are scared of wrecking it, put it in one of those food sealer bags. That should work as well.

[Besty]

Thanks for the idea. The issue was not really about protecting the FitBit from moisture; it was how to correctly count steps while cycling. There are probably a lot of different ways to address the issue. I am perfectly happy putting the FitBit on my ankle and equating one revolution with a step.

Moderator edit: Removed personal information. 

[GerriD]

Yes what is this answering ?

Did someone ask about waterproof ???




Sent from my iPhone

[mcnixon]

GerriD,

I went back throught he first page of this thread (now up to 50 messages), And I think sheryl in message 47 was replying to messages 14-17, where you asked about swimming with fitbit.  I agree that most of this topic (especially the subject) was about how to use fitbit when spinning, and most of the replies have been focused on the spinning, biking, and related topics of recording the calories of a manually entered activity (rather than the counted steps).

Mike (mcnixon)

[GerriD]

Hey


I am sorry I agree the threads are hard to follow. However I only use my fitbit for steps, walking or running.


I do not spin or swim.


Gerri

[moneywaisted45]

So, inother words, the fitbit is a waste of money for anyone who spins or does the eliptical trainer or recumbent bike.  I wish someone had told me that before I wasted the moeny buying this thing.  

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@Dominique wrote:

Your bike is stationary and you produce no impact on the floor. It would therefore make sense your Fitbit doesn't register steps. You may try to put it around your ankle or inside your sock (depending on the model). However, you may want to manually enter your biking as an activity.

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@Dominique wrote:

Your bike is stationary and you produce no impact on the floor. It would therefore make sense your Fitbit doesn't register steps. You may try to put it around your ankle or inside your sock (depending on the model). However, you may want to manually enter your biking as an activity.

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[Heybales]

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@moneywaisted45 wrote:

So, inother words, the fitbit is a waste of money for anyone who spins or does the eliptical trainer or recumbent bike.  I wish someone had told me that before I wasted the moeny buying this thing.  

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@Dominique wrote:

Your bike is stationary and you produce no impact on the floor. It would therefore make sense your Fitbit doesn't register steps. You may try to put it around your ankle or inside your sock (depending on the model). However, you may want to manually enter your biking as an activity.

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@Dominique wrote:

Your bike is stationary and you produce no impact on the floor. It would therefore make sense your Fitbit doesn't register steps. You may try to put it around your ankle or inside your sock (depending on the model). However, you may want to manually enter your biking as an activity.

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So with a user profile name like that - sounds like you have a specific agenda.

If your goal is ONLY about getting higher step counts whether your workout is actually about taking steps or not, and you don't care what may be a better workout - then either yes you wasted your money - or you are wasting your time biking.

You should take long walks with very short fast steps if that is your goal then.

Now - you failed to mention what device you have and may not realize that accurate step count is NOT required to get good estimate of calorie burn doing aerobic cardio workouts - if you have a HR-based device.

[tcv2]

I found out even if I swing my arm that it is attached too.  I get credit for steps and can be just standing. You would think it would register body movement, not arm movement for biking or stairmaster.

[moneywaisted45]

Try putting it on your ankle. That should work.

[Denisema]

I'm having the same problem and would like to know too.

[Heybales]

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@Denisema wrote:

I'm having the same problem and would like to know too.

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The formula for calorie burn based on steps seen (if they even get all seen on bike) is ONLY valid for walking and running - not biking.

So attempting to see all "steps", which they aren't anyway, isn't going to give you better calorie burn figures.

If desire is just to get more steps seen for the day, fine and dandy - just realize that the best workout may not have steps at all.

[tsm123]

I have an Alta, but for spin classes I use my Fitbit One and I bought a case that it fits into around my ankle.  It works perfectly and then I just sync it with my Alta.

[Denisema]

I have never had any luck with that. A few times I would put the fitbit on my spin shoe, but your still not getting an accurate reading.

[Heybales]

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@tsm123 wrote:

I have an Alta, but for spin classes I use my Fitbit One and I bought a case that it fits into around my ankle.  It works perfectly and then I just sync it with my Alta.

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Well, don't imagine that the perfect is anything other than possibly seeing a "step" for both feet as they go down for their "impact".

Which most from testing find it is far from able to see the other foot go down - so a one-legged stepping motion.

Also, is far from perfect distance since the impact seen has no association with distance traveled on bike.

And that distance that is seen has nothing to do with calorie burn actually being done.

For step-based devices doing calorie burn anyway. If HR-based device (on ankle though - unlikely) then just as good an estimate as other cardio workouts.

My Zip on my hip see all the road vibration on road bike rides, confirmed it has nothing to do with feet going down. On a rare slow ride over rough roads, I've managed to by pure coincidence have the calorie burn close to a more accurate estimate.

But, it is the best method to at least get some "steps" counted for a workout that can be so much harder than walking.