treadmill tracking when holding on to handles

[mjs620]

whenever i use the treadmill and when i hold onto the hear rate handle or on the side rails, i do not get credit on my fitbit ionic for step count. how can i correct this? 

[JohnnyRow · Accepted solution]

The problem is that fitbit detects steps from the swinging of your arms as in normal walking.  When your wrist is held steady, often steps are not detected.  The same thing is sometimes seen pushing baby carriage or shopping cart.

Options:

1. If you can hold only one hand rail and let the fitbit arms swing free, you will get full credit.

2. Holding onto rails as you are doing, you are still getting correct heart rate data, so calorie burn and active minutes should be correct, even if steps are not counted.

3.  If steps are more important to you, you can probably get better step count putting fitbit in pocket or attached to clothing, but then lose heart rate data for that time.