Steps accurate after adjusting stride but mileage way off

[DonnieG]

So I've owned the Fitbit for a few weeks now.  The first day I took an hour walk and noticed the steps were completely different than my other tracking device which made me question the accuracy of my Inspire 3.

After some research I got some ideas on how to track your steps more accurately by adjusting stride length.  My stride length was calculated by marking off 1/10 of a mile and walking it 8-10 times while counting my steps and then averaging that.  I came up with an average of .1miles=217 steps or (5280ft=2170 steps).  When you divided 5280/2170 it equals 2.43.  Seems right.  (I read that the average stride length is 2.1-2.5).

That said, I plugged that number (rounded it was 2.4) into my stride length on my Inspire 3.  I'd say it's pretty close to accurate.

However...my mileage is way off.  I walk at least a couple miles a day.  The closest I get on the Fitbit is like 3/4 of a mile-at best!!!  I've ensured gps is "always on" for the app.  GPS is turned on on the Fitbit.  What could be wrong???  Why is the mileage not tracking properly?

[LZeeW]

Hello @DonnieG and welcome to the Community.  Let me start with a little "how this stuff works" explanation.

• Your Inspire 3 counts steps based on the accelerometer data.  It's all about the arm swing.  Wrist worn trackers can over- and under-count steps.
• Your default stride length comes from accepted equations that use height and sex.  This is an average stride length.  Your actual step to step stride length will change depending on your pace and whether you are going up or down hills.  I strongly recommend using your default stride length, unless there is something about your gait that will throw this off.
• Your Fitbit uses your steps x stride length to calculate distance when you aren't using GPS.
• Your Fitbit uses the GPS calculated distance from your phone when you use GPS.  GPS is not pinpoint.  Unless something has really changed, your actual position is somewhere in a circle that has a 32 ft diameter.  It is error prone.  Your GPS distance can be affected by trees, buildings, clouds, or anything else that limits a GPS signal.  I have maps that show me walking off cliffs and levitating over 100 ft ravines.
• Your stride length isn't used if you are using GPS.

As a 10-plus years Fitbit user, my recommendation is please stop trying to micromanage this distance discrepancy, especially when you use GPS.

BTW, my profile picture is the older version Pole to Pole badge.  It's more colorful than the updated badge.

[DonnieG]

I had read the Inspire 3 was rated as one of the most accurate step counters;  that's the reason I made this purchase.

Originally I had the "Set Automatically" toggle on for the stride length for the first few days I owed my Fitbit.  The step counts were considerably off.  I had a day where 14,000 steps was recorded and it was still morning-lol.  That's why I made the stride length adjustment.  I feel the step count is recording fairly accurately based on the trials I did.

I do think the mileage was pretty accurate before I made the stride length adjustment.  It definitely isn't now. There must be something I can do to get me somewhat close.  If I could get it close, I'd be content.  I'm not looking for perfection.

If I could get that fairly close I'd be content.  I

[LZeeW]

@DonnieG   Step count and stride length are independent metrics.  Changing your stride length won't change your step count.  Step count comes from wrist and arm movement.  If you wear your Inspire 3 on your non-dominant wrist, you can reduce, but won't eliminate extra steps.  If you tap on your devices icon in the upper left of your mobile app > Inspire 3 tile > change Wrist to dominant, you will change the sensitivity of the accelerometer.  Like I wrote, this will reduce, but won't eliminate, extra steps.  My hair stylist gave up on wearing a Fitbit, because her day involves a lot of arm movement standing in one place.  It's a known limitation of wrist worn trackers.

The Inspire 3 has an On Wrist/On Body setting and a separate clip for wearing on your torso.  This is a possible option for you.

[Katfog]

I was having the same problem with my inspire HR and that my steps didn't equal the distance at all. I went round and round with support and they finally told me that my HR was probably not working and that I needed to buy a new fitbit and they offered me a discount. So I did that I bought the inspire3 and I am having the exact same problem only with the brand new Fitbit. This new app is horrible!

[lmacmil]

When I was walking at a very fast pace (14 min/mile or faster) my Fitbit was undercounting my steps significantly.   Once I  started swinging more from my elbow than my shoulder, the step count accuracy improved dramatically and yielded a pretty accurate step length.  Prior to that my step length was being  calculated at over 40" which would be impossible unless I was 7' tall.

[Katfog]

My steps were 100% accurate with my inspire HR until the new app came out.
Then they were 100% wrong I was told I needed to buy a new Fitbit which I
did and it has made no difference whatsoever.