Running with stroller

[DebiMason]

I have two small children and I go on runs pushing a double stroller. I'm pushing an extra 70 lbs but my Fitbit thinks I'm just running. Can I change my workout to show that I'm pushing a stroller?  

[JohnnyRow]

Not sure if this satisfies you, but the extra effort should be reflected in calories burned by the heart rate.

[DebiMason]

I understand that and it's great... But what I don't love is the fact my cardio fitness score drops dramatically because it doesn't recognize I should be working harder.  I can just delete those runs so it doesn't effect it, but I'd like to not have to do that.  

[Josh-S]

Hi Debi,

 My 2 cents. If I understand you, your heart rate isn't rising because you have to go slower with the little ones in tow. If your heart rate is not within a certain range I think that you actually are not getting the cardio workout you think you are even thought you are putting out more energy.

 If it's calories you are talking about then you can try to adjust for the added weight you are pushing. It will be a bit complicated because you aren't actually walking with the extra weight on your body but pushing it. There are calculators based on heart rate and weight on the web. However, you'd have to make some fudge factor to account for the fact that you don't actually weight your body + those of your children.

 So bottom line your not doing cardio if your heart rate isn't up, so maybe the cardio score is correct.

[LZeeW · Accepted solution]

@DebiMason   If you do familiar runs and don't care about a map, then do your runs with the GPS off.  Your distance will get calculated using steps x stride length.  You get a distance and average pace.  You don't get splits.

I do this all the time with my Versa.  I prefer this to auto-recognition as auto-recognition does not give a distance.

This should help you keep a record of your runs without affecting you cardio fitness score.

[DebiMason]

Great thanks I will try this next time.