Manually Tracking a Walk

[TheMighty2006]

Hi Team,

If I manually track a walk for example using the Fitbit App, does it count as double steps (compared to the app registering steps, cals, distance)?

This is in the part of the app where you can look at the street map as to where you have travelled.

Sorry if this sounds confusing....

Regards,

SB

[Heybales]

No to double counting, because it replaces what would have been there otherwise.

But reports are the activity created by doing it that way does NOT give near the Very Active Minutes as just using Fitbit.

If VAM is a goal, then you may not like it's potentially increased accuracy.

I could care less, none of those goals matters, I go for accuracy. So I've always been manually logging walks since I know the incline and increased effort, Fitbit is estimating a pretty much flat profile and is way off on calories.

[TandemWalker]

Hi @TheMighty2006 - If you're referring to the GPS tracking in the latest version of the app, I think there are some bugs to iron out. While there is no double counting, I would avoid using it right now as your distances will likely be off by a significant margin. My advice is to delete the GPS-tracked event and let your Fitbit data prevail.

[GadgetGeek · Accepted solution]

TheMighty2006,

I was really excited about the GPS for tracked walks/runs. The best part was the split times and great little map at the end. There are a few things to consider if they are important to you.

1. Very Active Minutes (VAM) are not counted the same as without the GPS tracker.  You really have to put forth some serious effort to register as VAM. It can be done but discouraging if this is your goal.

2. Badges, I for one like getting the little badges.  The steps you register while using the GPS activity do not count for badges, best of, or awards.  If this is your thing don't use the GPS tracker.

3. Calories, they really seem to be estimated on the low side when using the GPS tracker. If you really want your calories burned to show in the green for the work you did you may not want to use the GPS tracker.

4. Distance calculated, I thought the distance calculated on the GPS tracker was very accurate and loved the map I received.  There were a couple times I got a warning my GPS signal wasn't the greatest and could effect my readouts.  I really liked this feature, others got inconsistant numbers for their distance.

Bottom line, the GPS tracker has great potential but in its current state is not for everyone.

[TheMighty2006]

Thanks folks for your responses.

I will for now just go without the GPS function. Hope they improve it soon as I'm hooked on the fitbit 😄👍😎

[GadgetGeek]

I'm looking forward to when the GPS function meets my particular needs more. I found using it exciting until I went on a 2 hour hike on the ski slopes in Utah. I didn't get any active minutes and it said I burned a couple hundred calories. We were going slow and gaining altitude fast. It was a great walk that really wore me out.

[magand65]

HI Team,  I used the GPS feature this morning and it my steps are off.  I hit my 10,000 step goal about 1,000 steps from home and now I walked about 5 miles total.  My Fitbit shows 9.13 miles and 18,000+ steps.  I did delete the exercise and logged in and out and yet the 18,000 steps are still showing. I don't know why this is even after deleting the excercise.  Anyway I can get it back to my true steps today and erase the "exercise/GPS" double credit?

[slysam]

Magan65, I would suggest emailing customer service about this issue. When I used the GPS it didn't double count steps, it undercounted. I since learned from a fitbit staff member that using the app gps the steps are those counted by the motion sensor in your phone. I don't usually keep my phone in my pocket, I keep it in my purse or backpack much of the time so perhaps it felt less motion. But when I deleted the logged activity, my actual steps were restored. The distance was fine, just the steps and calorie burn were very low. I haven't used the app gps in a few weeks though. This sounds like either a new bug or something that maybe happening to you specifically.

[Baltoscott]

I think it must also calculate steps based on the distance traveled as measured by the GPS. I used the app's GPS for my walk last Saturday. I wasn't feeling well and cut the walk short - went home, took a nap, and then hopped in the car with my wife to meet friends in Delaware about an hour away. Didn't realize I forgot to stop the activity until several hours later when I noticed my phone was down to 30%. It gave me for 60 miles and about 122,000 steps - my fitbit, however showed only 11,000 steps. I deleted the activity.

I am hopeful that when they fix the GPS they will include an option that allows you to map without overwriting the steps fitbit records. For now, however, I've stopped using it.

[LeanneMC]

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@slysam wrote:
Magan65, I would suggest emailing customer service about this issue. When I used the GPS it didn't double count steps, it undercounted. I since learned from a fitbit staff member that using the app gps the steps are those counted by the motion sensor in your phone. I don't usually keep my phone in my pocket, I keep it in my purse or backpack much of the time so perhaps it felt less motion. But when I deleted the logged activity, my actual steps were restored. The distance was fine, just the steps and calorie burn were very low. I haven't used the app gps in a few weeks though. This sounds like either a new bug or something that maybe happening to you specifically.

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Thank you, Slysam!  I think you've solved my problem.  I wasn't aware that my phone had a motion sensor that would affect my step count.  I went on a 4k walk this evening and gained an additional 2000 steps using the GPS tracking through the iOS fitbit app.  Last night's walk did gain as many, but I realised the different was that tonight I held my phone in my hand because I didn't have any pockets.  All that swinging around must have earned 2000 extra steps!  I'll be careful to keep my phone in a pocket in the future.