Is Ionic able to use exercise apps and stopwatch at the same time?

[SunsetRunner]

As far as I can tell, I can't use my exercise apps and any other functionality on the watch at the same time aside from music controls.  It seems like a no-brainer that someone might want to use the timer/stopwatch functionality during a workout.  For example, I would like to use the timer to keep my rest period between sets to a certain time when working out.  I don't want to have to keep my eye on the watch to keep track of it.  That is something I could do easily on the older model vivoactive that I used to use.  I love everything else about my Ionic so far but this seems like a huge oversight.  Am I missing something?

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity.

[SunsetRunner · Accepted solution]

@SunsetRunner I believe not, at the moment. I don’t think the Ionic is able to multi-task.

[Rich_Laue]

It sure can run background apps, many of. the apps ask for permission to run in the background. 

As for music control while in any screen on the ionic, this hasn't changed from the Blaze. Hold on the top right button. 

It is all explained in the user manual. Tap help, found below, then the picture of your tracker. Your now in the interactive Fitbit help site. Tap download manual. 

[SunsetRunner]

Rich,

Yes, I said you can use the music control but not the timer/stopwatch feature.

[Rich_Laue]

 I answered the original post before the final edit. 

The stopwatch can run in the background the exercise program can not. 

You could start the stopwatch, then start the exercise tracker. But this is backwards to what your looking for. 

[janabono]

I was getting ready to create a new message regarding this issue.  I just purchased the Ionic for my half marathon on Sunday.  At the beginning, I did NOT want to listen to music (it was a Rock n Roll - I wanted to listen to announcer/bands).  Then I decided I did.  Unable to get to Pandora without stopping the running app and going to music.  Had same issue at a workout.  During my workout I wanted to time myself for an exercise.  had to stop the workout in order to get to timer.  This seems very counter-intuitive to what a fitness tracker SHOULD do.  I'm reconsidering my upgrade from the Blaze.  Until an upgrade possibly addresses this issue I don't want to spend the $$... 

[SunsetRunner]

I know, it's crazy, right?  I looked back at other posts and it's an issue people have been complaining about for a long time.  My two year old much less expensive garmin device could track an exercise session and still let me time rest between sets.  It seems like such an obvious thing that people would want to do.

[jlynnjaxon]

I really wish I could run a workout tracker in the background, too.  I want to be able to run the tracker and then also get to the timers.  I want to be able to track my rest time between sets 😕

Frustrated that I spent so much money on this and it doesn't fully allow me to run everything 😕

[janabono]

I took the ionic back...until there is an update allowing for me to maneuver to other apps while tracking my run, I'll stick with the blaze. I love the look of the Ionic and miss the GPS so hope they fix this soon.

[ClarkeL]

Disappointed that the Ionic can't do this basic function. Hard to be considered a "smart" watch if you can't change between active applications. Would love to see this addressed. I want to be able to track my exercise while reffing rugby AND be able to use the timer/stopwatch function to keep track of the halves. 

[DavisD]

Fitbit.  When are you going to fix this?  I am having the same problem.  Can't time rest periods between sessions when I use the Exercise app.  In fact I tell people to NOT buy the iconic.  I feel like I spent a lot money on something that is not living up to its hype.

[SunsetRunner]

The easier solution from developers perspective could be introducing manual laps where you can trigger lap with either button press or tapping the screen. Each laps starts timer from the beginning so if one needs to time rest period or something else that should make it easier. Fitbit already has laps as far as I know. All it is needed are laps "on demand". More complicated would be having a timer counting back I guess. But timer on the manual lap should be quite versatile ( resting, intervals, marking sets, marking waypoints etc. ). I don't expect this to be implemented any time soon or ever but that should be easier to get done than making apps to multitask and switch between them.

[DavisD]

I think this is a great idea and would certainly improve the user (my) experience.

[Rich_Laue]

Have you added your vote to the suggestions?

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Suggestions/Set-lap-feature/idi-p/1818182

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Suggestions/Use-timer-during-a-workout/idi-p/2290837

[ClarkeL]

I think to be considered a smart watch you should be able to run the exercise tracker AND another app at the same time without conflict.

Sent from my iPhone

[DavisD]

Thank you.  I just did.