Steps and exercise not tracking/logging

[BethSquared]

Yesterday only 20 minutes of a 90 minute workout were tracked and today I did a workout that is historically guaranteed to always give me at minimum 10,000 steps and I'm only at 6000. I've tried restarting, I've tried updating, it's not working. Is this a problem with the device itself or is there a system issue? I have had my Fitbit since November '23. 

[Julia_G]

Hi, @BethSquared , if you have had a Fitbit since 2023, then you will be aware that there are basically two modes of tracking exercises/workouts/activities… (step tracking should go on all the time)…

You can either rely on Fitbit automatically detecting a specific workout or activity (and it usually, but not always, does this pretty well) or you can track your exercise manually by starting up the exercise app on your device.

It really depends on user preference!  If it is really important to you that your workout record is complete and accurate, I always recommend using the exercise app, taking a few seconds to select your activity, and then start, pause, stop and finish it as appropriate.  That way you will get the most complete and accurate record of your activity.

Sometimes the auto detection of an activity can lag a bit, so that you don’t get full “credit” in your log (that doesn’t mean you didn’t do it!! It just means that the auto recognition started a little late …. If that matters to you, do it proactively and use your exercise app.  If you want a rough idea of what you have been up to each day, let the Fitbit do its thing.

I have checked this, and over time, most people come out nearly to the same place - so really it is a matter of user preference.  Those who like every i dotted and every t crossed like to invoke the exercise app each time - this will definitely give you the most accurate data.  Those who are content with the big picture - am I getting more active, am I getting more heart healthy - can let the auto logging do its thing and watch for over all trends.

This is not a device problem.  It is a question of using it in a way that best fits your expectations, personality, and goals.