Manually tracking exercise on app

[cazzalouise68]

When I start the app on my phone to manually start tracking a run I have to select run (which I have always done).  Recently, when I complete my run, fitbit has decided to default it back to walk!  Very frustrating as fitbit has removed the option to then change it back to run without heading into the depths of the app to find an old version and running the risk of accidentally deleting data.  Fitbit has suggested restarting watch and adding another update but neither has corrected this.  If I select run on my watch and track this way I don't get 'splits' as the gps signal is weak and watch doesn't always pick it up.  Anyone else having this problem?

[Gr4ndp4 · Accepted solution]

Hi, @cazzalouise68 welcome to the community, you may find this article of interest How do I use GPS on my Fitbit device? - Fitbit Help Center Can you confirm you carry your cellphone with you when running? If so let us know the make, model & OS - it might be a Bluetooth issue that's causing this.

I hope this helps, let us know how you are getting on by posting here again.

Cheers

[LZeeW]

@cazzalouise68   Other users are describing this, too.  I verified this myself with a few trips around the block.  Even a Hike becomes a Walk in the Exercise details.  This all started recently and that suggests there is a new bug in the Fitbit app.  I'm not sure Fitbit will fix this bug.  This a very old feature (I needed it for my One and Charge HR).  All current models have an Exercise app.  That being said, I understand why you are using your phone app.  I don't understand why you get good results using the phone app and bad results using the Exercise app on your Luxe.  Your Luxe has connected GPS, so both methods are using the same sensors.  My only suggestion for now is to try wearing you phone in a different place and try to optimize the GPS signal with the Exercise app.

[cazzalouise68]

Thank you @LZeeW .  I was beginning to think I was going mad as Fitbit keep suggesting “fixes” but none of them work.  I guess I’ll just have to live with it as in all other aspects my Fitbit does what I want/need and I refuse to buy another one at this stage.

[IaWe]

I have the same issue - Super frustrating bc if I then log a run manually and remove the walk I lose a lot of steps and data. 

I use iOS and start and stop the exercise via the app. 

[cazzalouise68]

I think the only way to overcome is to start track exercise in app using the +track option then go into the depths to change it to run when you have finished.  I have attached a photo that I took of my computer screen with the explanation of how to do this.  I take no credit for the method but it does work and I use regularly.  You lose no data or steps but can change walk to run

[IaWe]

Can’t see the photo - but I guess you’re saying it’s possible to edit the “walk” in the web browser and change it to a run? I can’t do it in app but I’ll try web next time ..  

such a bad user experience 😞 

[cazzalouise68]

Not on web - you can edit on app.  

[cazzalouise68]

Photo too big so;

when in app click on exercise days (to show all the exercise you have done not just most recent).

click on three dots in top left corner.

select “manage data”

Scroll down and select “exercise (exercise logs, gps tracking)”

Select “review data”.  This will take you to the old version of the app.  Select the exercise you want to change and click on “categorise exercise” to change walk to run or whatever you want to change it to.

when you have done that just keep selecting “back” in top left corner to take you back to most up to date view.

thank you to the wonderful @daveo555 who shared this

[IaWe]

Thank you! Will try this next time! 

[kadu89]

Hi I can confirm this issue on iPhone 8s with the most recent version of the App (4.1) and OS 16.7.5. I use a Charge 4. It’s very frustrating…I’ve had to delete my tracked runs since they are categorized as walks and then add it as a run by logging it. Isn’t this one of the main features of Fitbit? This issue really should get more attention with so many post I’ve seen about it. 

[cazzalouise68]

I have been doing this for a few weeks now but guess what?!  Today it didn’t work.

[LZeeW]

---

@kadu89 wrote:
Isn’t this one of the main features of Fitbit?

---

IMO, this is a very old Fitbit feature.  I needed to use this feature on my Fitbit One and Charge HR, two models that don't have an Exercise app.  I strongly recommending using the Exercise app on your Charge 4 to track your runs.  I don't recommend deleting the run then, adding it back manually.  Manual logging. done as you describe, overwrites the heart rate based calorie burn with an estimated calorie burn.