Scratch my Nose and it becomes a step!

[Tegiro]

I've had my ionic just two days and man does it rack up the steps.

Been in the house all day, eating at the table, watching Olympics in Korea from my couch and doing computer research. Never stepped out of the house. 

I called the tech support and was asked to calibrate my unit. So...3 times I walked in the house 100 steps each time. No problem, it registered with a (+ or -). Acceptable as far as I was concerned. They tell me it is accurate to about 10%.

BUT as I now look at my steps stats on my ionic or my Dashboard I see they are at 3651 steps!!!! 

I've not been anywhere to do any real walking.

I think if I move my hand to scratch my nose it registers a step.

Can anyone please explain why I am racking up so many steps, hardly walking at all  in the house (except for the test with the support staff on the phone)?

Thank you

[Davem10]

I’ve noticed the ionic racking up steps with my hand movements too, I added about 50 just by stroking the cat the other day and 10 whilst asleep last night. Have you tried switching the tracker setting from ‘non-dominant’, to ‘dominant’ hand? It may lessen the sensitivity of your step counts. 

[Tegiro]

I'll try the non-dominant hand after I see what is going on after a few more
days. I will try to track how much I really walk .in the house..as well as
outside.

Thanks for the suggestion BTW.

[SunsetRunner]

It is possible the 3600+ steps is somewhat excessive, it can also be surprising at just how many steps you do do (oh I'm gonna get some flack for that aint I 😉 ) Each time you get up to get a drink, make lunch, or go to the bathroom etc it all adds up.  If you think it is still way to high then try restarting the watch by pressing the left and bottom right buttons and see if that improves things.  Also watch where you charge it, make sure it is not near a fan or strong breeze of an open window as the vibrations and changing air pressure can add steps even when you're not wearing it.

[Tegiro]

Yes.excessive and useless control!

I would much prefer to record my steps when I go out for a walk for
exercise, not for just getting up to get a drink or go to the washroom.

Would there be a way to be able to turn it off while in the house and when
going for a walking exercise to just press a button and THEN record my
steps?



If not, then I will return the unit and ask for my money back. It has a 30
day return policy!

[SunsetRunner · Accepted solution]

You have 2 options. tap the screen and scroll left to settings, select About then select shutdown. then you can turn it on when you are ready to go for a walk.

The other option and by far easier, take it of your wrist place down on a table or similar place and leave there until you're ready to go out and exercise. Put back on your wrist when you are ready to leave.

Its purpose is to track steps etc so it will track whenever you are wearing it and it is turned on. Walking about the house, doing housework, lawns, cooking etc is all still exercise and helps show you what you are doing and how you can improve things.  When combined with the information about Energy Input (eg Eating and Drinking) and Energy Output (all forms of work) then you can get a clearer picture of what you need to do to change your lifestyle to improve your health.

[Tegiro]

If I use the shutdown mode will this turn of recordings for i.e. the
weather, heart beats etc. Or does it just turn off my "steps" exercises?

[SunsetRunner]

Everything as it turns off the watch.  As I said it is primarily a step counter with much greater functionality so step counting is the primary function and can't be turned off separately.

[Tegiro]

Sorry to say, I am left very disappointed with this non-functionality.

I will have to reconsider keeping it.



Thanks for your help and suggestion.

[SunsetRunner]

I hope you do consider keeping it, as I find it to be excellent for improving my motivations and setting goals. I'm not sure there is anything that will enable you turn off just the steps, but I could be wrong.  If you just want to monitor heart rate then your best bet is getting a chest strap or a wrist wearing heart rate monitor that does nothing else.

Good luck and I hope you find what you're looking for. Be well.