Ionic not tracking distance correctly

[Bianca1220]

I ran a total of 4.40 miles today and my Fibit Ionic only calculated 1.70 miles. Completely off! I am thinking I might have to return my Ionic. Just purchased it on Monday, but if anyone knows how I can fix this or why it is not tracking my miles correctly, please let me know.

Thank you. 

Moderator Edit: Clarified Subject.

[MikeF]

Without telling anyone anything about what tracking mode you were using or giving any other details about what you did, it's going to be pretty tricky to come up with any sort of useful suggestion.

[Bianca1220]

I was running on the tread mill so that was tracking my miles and I also always use this app called “run” which tracks my mileage...so I was using 3 different tracking devices...the Ionic was completely off.

[Bianca1220]

I was running on the tread mill so that was tracking my miles. I also always use this app on my phone call “Run” and that also tracks

my mileage. I was using a total of 3 different tracking devices and the Ionic was completely off. 

[roknrolhuchiko]

I am having the same problem were you able to resolve this question

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello @roknrolhuchiko, have a warm welcome to the Fitbit Community. 

@roknrolhuchiko, I appreciate your participation in the Forums and for sharing your experience with us. Please note that Fitbit devices calculate distance by multiplying your walking steps by your walking stride length and multiplying your running steps by your running stride length. The Versa estimates your stride lengths using your height and gender and when tracking one or more runs using on-board or connected GPS, it evaluates that data to automatically update your running stride length. For best results, run at a comfortable pace for at least 10 minutes.

If you prefer to measure your walking and running stride lengths yourself and enter them manually, see How do I measure and adjust my stride length?

With that said, if you're having trouble only with Treadmill exercises, take in consideration that if your arms aren't moving, because you're using the handles, your device won't be able to record steps, thus, making it hard to calculate an accurate distance. 

I hope this can be helpful, if there's anything else we can do for you, please feel free to reply. 

[SunsetRunner]

@Bianca1220 tracker is unable to know how far you ran on the treadmill. It makes assumptions based on your stride length as this is not a GPS-based exercise. I usually don't care what Ionic registers as a distance if I'm on the treadmill but it would be nice to override the data using the treadmill data. I can do that in PolarBEAT app which I use with my chest strap. Indoor exercises like rowing, elliptical, treadmill and some others for which app and sensor cannot figure out parameters known only to the exercise machine. It allows entering manual overrides when exercise tracking is done. Very useful. Unfortunately, you can't do this with Fitbit.

Edit: just as a workaround, record treadmill as normal. Then using same start time and duration add treadmill manually. You should be able to enter the distance. As calories enter what tracking the exercise registered. You should end up with two treadmill exercises in your log. Delete the one which was added by tracking. Leave the one you added manually.