Treadmill Distance vs. Fitbit Distance

[mglmoore]

So I have an older treadmill and a Charge HR I received in 2016. I typically run about 3 miles in 30 minutes according to my treadmill, in that same period my fitbit will tell me I ran about 3.3 miles in 30 minutes (on the treadmill). This seemed pretty accurate when compared to my outdoor runs as I would run about 3.51 miles in 32 minutes. However recently my treadmill distance/time has stayed the same and fitbit has been decreasing. While the treadmill still says I run 3 miles in 30 minutes fitbit will give me anywhere from 2.98 miles to 3.28 miles in 30 minutes. I should also say that I have been increasing my speed on the treadmill (ie running at a 6.2 instead of a 5.7). What is more accurate the treadmill distance or the fitbit?

[WavyDavey]

Hi @mglmoore,

It's not easy to say, but usually the treadmill distance would be most accurate. This is because the device itself can measure your speed and the distance covered easily.

The Fitbit will use your stride length and number of detected steps to calculate distance.

If the treadmill workouts lately are not showing a reduced number of steps, I would look at the stride length. You can find it on your profile. If you adjust your stride length there, it will also adjust the distance calculated.

Of course this assumes the treadmill's calculations are correct, which obviously I can't know.

[emili · Accepted solution]

I run on the treadmill all the time and the distance is never accurate due to stride. The faster you go the less accurate it is. The treadmill measures distance with the belt so you know it is correct. The fitbit measures it according to stride and arm swing. Not as accurate the faster you go because both of those things change. If you go 4.0 or less on the treadmill it is accurate or close enough. Anything above that you lengthen the discrepancy. I have been doing this for years, with four different trackers, I speak from experience.

[pohlcat01]

So is there anyway to update the workout after you sync with the correct distance??

[Pegspanish]

Would it be better not to wear my fitbit and put in the information from the treadmill manually.