Charge 2 clip or ankle strap

[P-Dub-Jess]

Let me first start off by saying I know the heart rate feature will not work, and that wrist placement is recommended...

Has anyone tried an ankle strap or

clip type devise when using your Charge 2?

I will be spending quite a bit of time this summer pushing a stroller and in my last 3 weeks wearing my Charge, when I'm shopping​, pushing a cart or holding a list, walk with a baby or just don't swing my arms far enough, my steps do not count.

I plan on returning it if I can't figure out a way to accurately count my steps and getting a plain ol pedometer. It's very frustrating when you're in a challenge and you've just spent over 3 hours shopping and log less than 1,000 steps!!

[Rich_Laue]

If you can find a way of clipping the tracker on, some have used a USB drive case, then go for it. 

Fitbit sells two clip on models the Zip and One either could be easily added as a second device then all you need to do is pick up the tracker that you want to use. 

[P-Dub-Jess]

I'm not so keen on adding another device. Mainly not so keen on spending another $60-$100 for one!! 

For a newbie at logging all my fitness stuff, I was hoping the Charge 2 would be the way to go. A friend has the Blaze and that's just too bulky for my liking, so I honestly didn't research it when looking at the different Fitbits offered.

[Rich_Laue]

That's  why I gave you 2 options

There are belts and arm bands made for runners to carry phones $5 at 5 Below. Little use holders that clip on the waist

[WavyDavey]

@Rich_Laue, correct me but wouldn't clipping the tracker on pretty much defeat the tracker's ability to track steps, if it's designed to be worn at the wrist? While I'm walking, there's much more motion at my wrist than at the upper arm or waist.

While first trying mine out, I used the stock band on my ankle. Worked fine but felt too weird.

@P-Dub-Jess, I recommend you take the time to get the heart rate part working. I had to fiddle with band placement before it stabilized, but it's a major function of the Charge 2. Check out the Alta also, very nice and small.

[Rich_Laue]

Unfortunately @WavyDavey I can't totally correct you. The tracker is designed to be worn on the wrist, but as you know a slight up/down motion will give steps. They might not be as accurate as say the Fitbit One, but the user will get something, and probably more than if it was on the wrist pushing a cart. 

[Johnda]

I also want to keep track of the heart rate. So when I'm on the treadmill in the mornings, I strap it to my ankle. For stability I need to hold on to the treadmill. Then this summer where I'm walking my dog and can't keep the arms moving. I'm going to try putting on the ankle then cover it up with something like a wrist sweat band. 

[splash_lover]

There is a way to set it so it counts strides based on how many feet you move not arm movement.  I cannot remember how to do it though.  I am new to fitbit as well.

[DerrickS]

To set the record straight, Charge 2 is optimized to be worn on your wrist.

If your Charge 2 is off-wrist and you are tracking your activity, it is likely that you will experience a difference in your steps compared to if you had worn the tracker on your wrist.

Additionally, if your Charge 2 is off-wrist and you are tracking steps, I'd also recommend turning off your HR sensor to avoid getting an erroneous HR reading. Click here for instructions on how to change your HR settings.

[Gonfreaksss]

If your strap is large enough, you could strap it on your ankle.  I do that sometimes when I am moving but just not moving my wrist.   

[P-Dub-Jess]

Has anyone tried using the "hike" feature when grocery shopping or pushing a stroller? I heard that would work...

[tinycurls]

My charge 2 counts steps best when it's in not on my wrist.  A couple of weeks ago, I realized that I was losing upwards of 1000-3000 steps on my long runs.  My strap broke the other day; so, I put it in the pocket of my running pants and noticed I was getting the same type of steppage I got with my old cheapy Fitbit clip on.  Far more accurate.  I really like the HR monitor, but I prefer more accurate steps if I have to choose.  Plus I get tired of that thing on my arm.  I hadn't worn watches in years and I'm not a fan.

[anitaymoore]

I strap my Charge 2 to my ankle all the time and I find it actually tracks my movement much better than having it on my wrist. Why? Because if you aren't swinging your arms when you walk it doesn't actually track ALL of your steps (I've tested it). Obviously when you walk your legs have to have that motion...and there are now ankle straps for the charge 2, however I just strap mine around my ankle with the band I currently have since it fits. The only thing you have to be careful of, if you wear it all day in this manner as I do, is not to sit down and swing that leg out of nervous energy or habit as it can log that as walking too.

[Lilyba]

I bought clear rubber hair ties and use a paper clip to attach it to my ankle when i mow or shop or do the elliptical.

[Jake11]

I was given a rolex from my friend but I still want to count steps and I'm not spend another $150 on a new fitbit is their a belt clip I can buy.

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@DerrickS wrote:

To set the record straight, Charge 2 is optimized to be worn on your wrist.

If your Charge 2 is off-wrist and you are tracking your activity, it is likely that you will experience a difference in your steps compared to if you had worn the tracker on your wrist.

Additionally, if your Charge 2 is off-wrist and you are tracking steps, I'd also recommend turning off your HR sensor to avoid getting an erroneous HR reading. Click here for instructions on how to change your HR settings.

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[anitaymoore]

Well it's crappy at tracking steps if you aren't swinging your arms as you walk....which many people don't do. Try pushing a stroller and swinging your arms.

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[moviediva]

I have an extension strap for the Charge 2 that I purchased from Amazon, I use it when shopping and at the gym, and it tracks my steps and my heat rate just fine.

[Jake11]

That is not my question can u make som sort of update and make in comparable with a belt clip

Sent from my iPhone

[SunsetRunner]

the reason why we ask is because we want a rechargeable fitbit like the One

the Charge 2 is similar in size thus a suitable replacement

now the reason why we want a clip for it....

not everyone can wear something on their wrist whilst at work, some work places do not allow it, which means only the FitBit Zip is available to them, that or another make

I bought a third party magnetic strap and did this, imagine the orange post it note is the neckline of a t-shirt, granted not 100% secure, but the magnet is strong enough to hold it in place, even when jogging on the spot

I'd imagine that on a belt, the magnet would be clipped directly onto the strap without anything in-between, so should be fine

[SueAlan]

Actually, I have found the Charge 2 way less accurate when worn on the wrist: it recorded thousands of steps while I was on the couch crocheting an afghan; it often missed counting floors. Fitbit told me it only   counted a change of 10 feet  in altitude (higher than in most homes) and would accumulate shorter climbs. Wrong on both account--it never accumulated 'short' flights and I tested their claim by going up 11/2 flights and it registered nothing!

I was using a flat stainless wrist band that I have now purposed into an ersatz clip-on by unthreading the magnet end, looping around my bra strap and securing the Charge 2 in my bra. Worn that way it counts steps and floors accurately.