Treadmill runs - distance overestimated on Fitbit

[kcadams1980]

Hi all,

I've been noticing that when I run on the treadmill, the mileage recorded on my fitbit is about a mile further than the actual distance logged on the machine (I have mobiletrack turned on for step-based exercise). I wonder if that has to do with the amount of time my HR was in the peak zone - maybe fitbit thinks I'm running faster than I actually am? For instance this morning, I did just under 4 miles in 50 min; fitbit threw an extra mile or so of distance in there... My main question is, if the distance is being overestimated, are my calories burned overestimated as well? The treadmill gave me about 400 cals, fitbit gave me 495 - does that discrepancy come from the fact that fitbit is taking my heartrate into account (peak zone 62%), or am I getting the extra 95 cals due to the overestimation of distance?

Hopefully that made sense 🙂

Kelly

[Komick]

I would assume that your calories would be overestimated too.  Distance travelled is based on the profile that you set up or the "average step size" for someone who is as tall as you.  You  may take longer strides, you may take shorter strides.  It is an estimated distance.  If you would like it to be more accurate, you may want to change your profile character to be a bit shorter and see if that changes anything.

[SunsetRunner]

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@kcadams1980 wrote:

Hi all,

I've been noticing that when I run on the treadmill, the mileage recorded on my fitbit is about a mile further than the actual distance logged on the machine (I have mobiletrack turned on for step-based exercise). I wonder if that has to do with the amount of time my HR was in the peak zone - maybe fitbit thinks I'm running faster than I actually am? For instance this morning, I did just under 4 miles in 50 min; fitbit threw an extra mile or so of distance in there... My main question is, if the distance is being overestimated, are my calories burned overestimated as well? The treadmill gave me about 400 cals, fitbit gave me 495 - does that discrepancy come from the fact that fitbit is taking my heartrate into account (peak zone 62%), or am I getting the extra 95 cals due to the overestimation of distance?

Hopefully that made sense 🙂

Kelly

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When I climb hills on treadmill fitbit showed I burned 722 calories compared to the treadmill indicating I burned 1000 calories. 

[Zimni]

My Fitbit and the Nike Running app give me a lower calorie burn count on my 5K run as compared to the treadmill. It is genarlly around 300 cals by the app, but the machine suggests way over 400. 

I somehow trust the fitbit more than the machine, basis simply that the treadmill will have a more generalised programme set up and will not take into account your body stats. I somehow always find cardio machines to give exaggerated readings. 

Someone mentioned stride lengths, and I agree - how you run can definitely change up your readings - again, I would only be considering the fitbit.

[USAF-Larry]

I don't pay much attention to the calorie burn on my treadmill, @Zimni, since it doesn't ask for age, sex, weight, or any other personal stats that would affect the calorie burn when exercising. The calorie burn on the FitBit is not totally accurate, but it is a lot more accurate than the treadmill.

[Komick]

I also think that the fitbit is designed to measure a walking step as it is a device to promote motivation. It's not really a device for elite athletes. A calorie is just a unit of measurement. Don't worry about it. I would add it in like you would if it was spot on. It'll all balance itself out. Just stay consistent.

[Zimni]

@USAF-LarryAgree. 

[GershonSurge]

Some treadmills only add the additional calories for the exercise and not the calories for the base metabolism. You can probably find a manual online if you have the make and model number.

[shipo]

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@kcadams1980 wrote:

Hi all,

As has been mentioned already, I've been noticing that when I run on the treadmill, the mileage recorded on my fitbit is about a mile further than the actual distance logged on the machine (I have mobiletrack turned on for step-based exercise). I wonder if that has to do with the amount of time my HR was in the peak zone - maybe fitbit thinks I'm running faster than I actually am? For instance this morning, I did just under 4 miles in 50 min; fitbit threw an extra mile or so of distance in there... My main question is, if the distance is being overestimated, are my calories burned overestimated as well? The treadmill gave me about 400 cals, fitbit gave me 495 - does that discrepancy come from the fact that fitbit is taking my heartrate into account (peak zone 62%), or am I getting the extra 95 cals due to the overestimation of distance?

Hopefully that made sense 🙂

Kelly

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Hey @kcadams1980, as has been mentioned already, I'm also betting the issue is your stride length.  I don't know which tracker you have and if the software for that tracker differs from mine (Surge), but my software allows for separate stride lengths for both walking and running.  That said, your stride length on a treadmill may well not match either of those two (i.e. your treadmill stride length could be longer than your walking length, but not as long as your running (on the ground) length).

[BWright1175]

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@kcadams1980 wrote:

Hi all,

I've been noticing that when I run on the treadmill, the mileage recorded on my fitbit is about a mile further than the actual distance logged on the machine (I have mobiletrack turned on for step-based exercise). I wonder if that has to do with the amount of time my HR was in the peak zone - maybe fitbit thinks I'm running faster than I actually am? For instance this morning, I did just under 4 miles in 50 min; fitbit threw an extra mile or so of distance in there... My main question is, if the distance is being overestimated, are my calories burned overestimated as well? The treadmill gave me about 400 cals, fitbit gave me 495 - does that discrepancy come from the fact that fitbit is taking my heartrate into account (peak zone 62%), or am I getting the extra 95 cals due to the overestimation of distance?

Hopefully that made sense 🙂

Kelly

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My thoughts on this, as my Charge HR almost always shows a greater distance than the machine...

When I run on my treadmill, I don't match the same pace as I run when I'm outside... I match the "feel" of the pace, as running on a treadmill feels different... not just the impact, but the perception of speed as well.

For example, my wife and I run 5Ks at around a 6mph pace, which is by no means fast.  However, I generally set my treadmill somewhere in the 4.5 to 5mph pace, because it "feels" the same.  Basically, 6mph on a treadmill and 6mph on a running trail feel completely different, probably due to the fact that on a treadmill, the "path" is moving out from underneath you.

If I just walk on the treadmill, the distance on the machine and on my Charge HR are nearly identical.

[kcadams1980]

Thanks all for the replies... I've got a Charge HR, and it is still new to me. I'm thinking the stride length makes sense as well. I probably don't need to obsess about it too much, because it's not like I'm depending on my runs to make my daily distance/step goals. I'm walking, climbing up stairs, etc, at work all day in a giant hospital. 

I started to see some good results this past week, so that tells me I'm generally where I need to be on calories in/out.

[GisselleM · Accepted solution]

Hey @kcadams1980 I agree with all the replies, in fact your Charge HR measures distance by multiplying your walking steps by your walking stride length and multiplying your running steps by your running stride length.   So updating your personal information will be the best way to go in order for you to get more accurate information 🙂

[Rich_Laue]

True about Fitbit has to calculate miles while on a treadmill, since without GPS there is np way of measuring the amount of tread tyat moved under you.  Nlw as the speed of the treadmill changes, so does the stride, this them affects the distance that Fitbit reports. Now you have a choice, set your stride for while on a free run, or set it for while on a treadmill, dont change the speed. With some trial the distance can be tuned in while on the treadmill, but thrn will be off while free running.

As for calories exercise machines report, it is a known fact that these machines inflate them to give unrealistic feel good numbers. Another reason would be not entering your weight, gender, and age correctly into the treadmill settings.

[naty_silvaje]

I have the opposite problem~ Mine actually underestimates my mileage so I think this is interesting! 

Maybe try resetting the fitbit 

[kcadams1980]

After adjusting down my stride length a little, the problem of overestimating my distance seems to be solved. I needed to futz around with my Charge and the app settings for a while to see what works. Now when I get on the elliptical.... lol, that's another story 🙂

Kelly

[Rich_Laue]

@naty_silvaje type got the same pro b lem, the atride fitbit is using is wrong, but instead of over yours is currently under. 

It's simply if stride is set wrong, the dostance calculated will be wrong.  Your stride neads leangthening, instwad of shortening.