Running with a Backpack

[Jager06]

Is Fitbit accurate when you run with a backpack or other weights? I usually run with a 35lb backpack but notice that there is no way to adjust the settings to accommodate  the increased weight/ stress/ calorie burn etc. Does Fitbit still accurately track those things when I am exercising this way?

Just curious. Thanks to anyone who has an answer.

[GershonSurge · Accepted solution]

As long as you have a heart rate monitor, it should pick up the increased effort and reflect in more calories burned. Whether it does so accurately is another question, but it will be good enough.

Over time, if you consistently exercise, you will likely discover it takes more calories to lose a pound. 

[Hikerbob]

In a related question - 

If one is running with 25 pounds of extra weight - it seems that Fitbit would need to know that to accurately measure  “cardio fitness score “.  

Otherwise , Fitbit will see a higher heart rate for the distance traveled (without knowing extra weight)  = Fitbit will calculate a lower cardio fitness score than should be calculated.. 

[checking]

I would think you could add backpack weight to your profile weight and sync your device to load it  before you go on a heavy run and change back after it is logged. Same thing would go for the cardio fitness score; however, I'd recommend checking for meaningful CF scores with relatively flat, unweighted runs.

[GershonSurge]

@Jager06,

You didn't mention why you want to run with a 35-pound pack. "Because you want to" is good enough for me. 

There is some new technology coming along in backpacks. It's called "hoverglide" and made by Lightning packs. They slide up and down on rails while you walk or run. They use this motion to generate electricity for your electronics.

The technology is being studied by the Naval Research center.

A handy person could probably start with an external frame back from the 80's and make one.

[Jager06]

I like running with the pack on. Its my old rucksack with a 25 lb plate and a gallon of water. I spent 17 years in the military and now I'm kind of missing it maybe? But I really love the look on peoples faces when they pick it up and test it after I have passed them on the trail. And honestly I knocked 11 minutes off a 3.3 mile trail run that starts with a 1000 elevation increase in the first .65 miles up to the top of the mountain. The whole trail is ridiculously steep up and down, and there is a memorial to a mountain biker up there as a testament to how tough it can be on you. The first bit up was taking me 28 minutes before I decide it needed to be harder and grabbed the ruck, I did it in 22:25 most recently.

I dont know about you but its nice to have a "test" trail, where you can go push it until you puke without having to worry about anyone sane seeing you.

[GershonSurge]

@Jager06,

A lot of retired Army and Marines enjoy pushing until they puke. I'm retired Air Force, and I miss it. 

[SarahMcDonald]

I don't like to run with a heavy backpack, because I don't have the strength to withstand this training.

[DavideFitbit]

Thank you for sharing your experience with that, @Severuss! 

I don't do it too often because I have a back problem, and although I do feel that I burn some more calories, I understand why it would be difficult to track by any device. 😀 

What do you use as extra weight? 

[t.parker]

@DavideFitbit isn't that running with a backpack will affect the VO2Max (or Fitbit's cardio score)? With the added weight, the HR will go up while the pace most likely goes down however, the Fitbit doesn't know that the weight is artificial. That was actually a problem on Garmin watches, and they have added "Trail Run" with an option of disabling VO2Max so it will not mess it up.

From Fitbit help article:

"If your Fitbit device connects to GPS, we can provide a more precise estimate of your score using the relationship between pace and heart rate during your runs."

Calories are not an issue if the algorithm uses HR but the cardio score will be affected which may disappoint some users.

I run with a weighted vest and I need to turn off the VO2Max measuring (and usually, I don't accept lactate threshold if detected if I carry extra weight). An option to disable measuring the cardio score for such runs would be probably a good thing.