No Cross Country skiing

[XCski2010]

I got a new inspire 2 for Christmas and I was very disappointed because I am a cross country skier and there is no option for cross country skiing. I noticed that Garmin has some that have skiing and I think I might have to get one of those next time. Can Fitbit update that or has anyone found a way to fix that?

[LZeeW]

Hello @XCski2010 and welcome to the Community forum.  I recommend using Hike as a workaround.  Please vote for and leave a comment on this Feature Suggestion.  The OP mentions the Charge 3 in the title.  Both devices use the same exercise app.  Adding it to one will add it to all.

I don't recommend using run as a workaround.  The Run shortcut is used to calculate your cardio fitness score.  You will get a wacky number.  I also don't recommend Bike because your distance isn't added to your daily total.

[SunsetRunner]

Hello @LZeeW 

I actually think hiking used the same method used by running to estimate distance (i.e. steps by stride) and in case of cross country skiing this would lead to have a very inaccurate value. Bike, or outdoor workout, would be better because they measure distance via GPS but, as you said, the distance wouldn't be accounted in the total. But maybe @XCski2010 can live without it.

[LZeeW]

@SunsetRunner   To clarify my answer, you must use Hike with connected GPS, in the case of the Inspire 2.  I apologize for an error if Hike doesn't have a GPS option on the Inspire 2.  My Versa 3 definitely has GPS on the Hike shortcut.

My issue with Bike and Outdoor Workout is that the measured distance doesn't get added to your daily distance.  I point this out for users who are motivated by distance badges.  This Help article explains how Fitbit calculates distance.  Any activity without GPS uses steps x stride length.  Any activity with GPS uses measure GPS distance and recorded step count. 

[GoShowLove]

If you click (on the app on your phone) daily exercise goals it allows you to either track or log when you click on the stopwatch icon. When you log, it allows you to type in the activity. Cross Country Skiing does come up as an option.

[SSB_busy_feet]

I'm a xc skier too, and was equally disappointed not to find that activity as an Exercise choice. I didn't do any investigation here before setting out, though, I just looked through all the Exercise possiblities and chose the one whose motions seemed the most similar to cross country, that is, Elliptical (you know, the machines in gyms). It seemed to track my cross country outing pretty well, and it really seems to me that the motions used on an elliptical machine are the most similar to cross country. So I'm rather surprised not to find that suggestion here (now that I'm finally investigating rather than just "making stuff up!" the way I usually do 😉 ha.

To the developer-type-folks: thoughts on using Elliptical until the developers provide an actual xc ski option? Thanks!

(Note: I saw the useful answer from GoShowLove down below; but I'd rather not to have to mess with my phone to log it, I'd prefer to just change the exercise on the Fitbit. When my phone gets involved, things are likely to go wonky... LOL!)