No updates to fitness score?

[Phoenix9477]

I have been running about five months. I got a fitness score in April, and it hasn't changed a single time. I run with connected GPS on a flat surface every Saturday and multiple times throughout the week. I am now running twice as far as I was in April, with significantly lower heart rates (for the most part) than I did back then. I have lost 10lbs. I wear it to sleep every night. My resting rate has improved and I'm feeling worlds better.  Why on earth is my score identical to where it was when I was significantly less in shape?!

I am beginning to very seriously doubt their accuracy...

[MarreFitbit]

Good morning from the other side! Welcome aboard @Phoenix9477!  10lbs? Amazing my friend, keep up the great workouts! 

We can provide a more precise estimate of your score using the relationship between pace and heart rate during your runs. This is because individuals with higher VO2 Max have a lower heart rate while running at the same pace compared to individuals with lower VO2 Max. If you're able to run at a comfortable pace for at least 10 minutes, use multisport mode on your Charge 2 to track a run with GPS. We recommend running on flat terrain as much as possible since only the flat sections of your run count towards your score estimate. You may need to go on several runs that are at least 10 minutes in length to affect your score.

Said that, if your cardio fitness hasn't changed so far, it may be due to several factors including a stationary lifestyle, which could have negative effects on long term health like an increased risk for developing high blood pressure and coronary heart disease.  

The two ways to improve your score are exercise and healthy weight loss. Increased exercise may help you improve your score by up to 20 percent over a period of two to three months.

While an increase in moderate exercise can be helpful, including high-intensity intervals in your workouts if you’re able can be an effective way to see noticeable improvement. Interval training includes any workout that alternates between intense bursts of activity followed by periods of lower intensity activity or rest. Both endurance training and interval training studies showed increases in participants’ VO2 Max, but interval training yielded more significant improvements. 

Additionally, healthy weight loss (primarily by lowering your body fat percentage) can contribute to an increase in your cardio fitness score. On the other hand, unhealthy weight loss (lowering your muscle mass) can have a negative effect on your score. If you’ve entered a healthy weight loss goal into your Fitbit profile, the graph shows the potential improvement to your score. If your weight loss goal would lower your Body Mass Index (BMI) into the underweight range, potential improvement to your score won’t be displayed. 

For the best estimate, try the following tips:

• Go for long runs (at least 10 minutes long) on flat terrain.
• Complete multiple runs to help improve accuracy.
• Run at a faster pace if you’re able to do so. You don’t have to run at maximum speed but higher-intensity runs provide a more accurate estimate.

Give it a try and let me know if your Fitness Score changes! 

[WavyDavey]

I've found the last point that @MarreFitbit made to be very relevant in my score changing. Longer runs of less intensity actually lowered my score for a bit. When I went on a fast run for 10 minutes, the score went up.

It is odd the score isn't changing with the lowered resting heart rate, but as @MarreFitbit mentioned, there's a lot of variables to it.

[JohnnyRow]

I find it very hard to believe that it is actually recalculating Phoenix's fitness with his/her runs for 5 months and keep getting exactly the same thing.  That would take a huge coincidence even if fitness not improving.  I think there has to something else, though I don't know what.

 Yes there are a lot of variables, but that just means even less likely that should keep calculating exactly same score.

 Does it supposedly recalculate score whether run is started from Fitibt or from phone app?

[Phoenix9477]

Yes, I've read and followed all the instructions on the website.  No change!

[Phoenix9477]

Agreed, I run with the connected GPS most of the time, a few with the tracker alone. I've been through a software update or two, so it's not that either...

[SReuschle]

Yup, same problem here. My cardio fitness score hasn't changed a single point since I started wearing the Charge 2 a year ago. 

I started running 3x per week, with the Fitbit connected to GPS and still no changes. 

Every time I ask I get the same bull**ahem** canned feedback telling me to run for at least 10 minutes on a flat surface. 

Fitbit's customer service leaves much to be desired. 

[Phoenix9477]

I found out the issue. You have to track the run from the Charge, not the
GPS connected app on your phone. You have to have them connected and you
have to bring your phone on the run, but you can't start it from the
phone. I have no idea WHY, but that's the only way to update the score.
Let me know if that helps!

[SReuschle]

I don't use a GPS app on my phone, I just use the Charge 2's run exercise option. My phone just plays Pandora. 

[Phoenix9477]

That might be why. It figures in pace and heart rate to update.

[JohnnyRow]

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@Phoenix9477 wrote:
I found out the issue. You have to track the run from the Charge, not the
GPS connected app on your phone. You have to have them connected and you
have to bring your phone on the run, but you can't start it from the
phone. I have no idea WHY, but that's the only way to update the score.
Let me know if that helps!

---

Yes, I believe you are correct. Run has to started from Charge2, not app. I had forgotten about that.  I ran into the same problem for a while.  Don't know if I have seen that any where in instructions but it seems it should be mentioned prominently with any discussion of fitness score.

[WavyDavey]

I believe tracking through the app was meant for times when you didn't have the fitbit with you. If that's the case, it makes sense to not use app-tracked exercise for calculating Cardio Fitness.

[SReuschle]

Am I speaking Chinese here?

I start the run using my Charge 2 while it is connected via Bluetooth to my phone so it has the ability to use the phone's GPS. 

The only other thing my phone is doing is playing music. 

[JohnnyRow]

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@SReuschle wrote:

Am I speaking Chinese here?

I start the run using my Charge 2 while it is connected via Bluetooth to my phone so it has the ability to use the phone's GPS. 

The only other thing my phone is doing is playing music. 

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No you are not speaking Chinese, but you are trying to add your problem into another person's thread, and we are responding to the original poster. It can be difficult or impossible to respond to multiple queries with the same answer so we generally respond to the original poster's situation.

[SReuschle]

Thanks Johnny, but if you read the whole thread, the OP responded to what I posted tonight. The OP solved his problem and was trying to help with my issue. 

[RunFrenchieRun]

I agree with many here.  I have been running for months, even when I started it was well over 10 mins.  I have lost 17 lbs and my resting heart rate is steadily and consistently lower, wasn’t really ever sky high, but still low. My runs are now usually 2-3 miles minimum.  My score hasn’t budged in months.  I don’t know what amount of data it needs, but I am calling some BS on what that feature number represents.  For the record I have been wearing since August 2017.  I was at 35 and after a few months of consistent running it stopped to 34 then to 33 and a week or so later back to 34 and hasn’t moved.  

[RunFrenchieRun]

I start from my Charge 2...always.  No change. 

[Fitness21]

I am really confused about my score I go gym 5 days a week I do weights and cardio I also run twice a week my score has never changed since I bought the fitbit 5 months ago I do high and low interval training and yet still nothing it says my score is 38 which is good but my friends is 43 and I train twice as much as her it just doesn't make sense can someone please explain what I'm doing wrong with my app?? I sometimes train twice a day I'm really confused lol

Many thanks Vickie from England 

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@JohnnyRow wrote:

---

@Phoenix9477 wrote:
I found out the issue. You have to track the run from the Charge, not the
GPS connected app on your phone. You have to have them connected and you
have to bring your phone on the run, but you can't start it from the
phone. I have no idea WHY, but that's the only way to update the score.
Let me know if that helps!

---

Yes, I believe you are correct. Run has to started from Charge2, not app. I had forgotten about that.  I ran into the same problem for a while.  Don't know if I have seen that any where in instructions but it seems it should be mentioned prominently with any discussion of fitness score.

---

[RunFrenchieRun]

Oddly enough I had same issue.  Hadn’t changed in months, like 8+!  Anyway, last week I went on a run and did it from the app, not the Fitbit and the score changed!  It had been stuck for months...I have lost 30 lbs, running time improved and no change...until I did it in the app. Good luck!

[Fitness21]

Hi thankyou for your response how would it accurately read your workout if your entering it from the app and not using your fitbit?? Would it not double your reading from your watch and then if your using app too?? It's so bloidy confusing and frustrating lol I know my cardio level is above excellent but it's just not reading it
Thanks



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