Tip: Treadmill Desk Accuracy

[geekdave]

This isn't a question but rather a tip.  I have a treadmill desk, but I wasn't able to get accurate steps with my Charge 2 on my wrist (didn't register at all) nor around my ankle (registered too many steps) nor my regular pants pocket (inconsistent).

However, I was able to get accurate results by putting my fitbit in my cargo pocket just above the knee.  I think this is because the "swing" of my leg at that position more closely resembles my wrist swing.

Just wanted to share in case anybody else was struggling with this.

[WendyB]

Thanks for the tip!

[LawshrinkMD]

Thanks, I will give this a try and report back.  I was enjoying getting double steps with it on my ankle, but I want it to reflect reality!  What are the consequences of getting so many steps but not having HR data for that part of the day?  Does it change your fitness score or calorie counts?

[geekdave]

Yeah it does affect HR/calories.  Sometimes the HR is missing, but sometimes it actually reads false heart rate readings (presumably from the shadows inside my cargo pocket moving around).  But for me the steps/distance is most important so it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

[Jackiemoml]

I tried this and it works! I work at my desk on a treadmill.  Note, it doesn’t  pick up speeds of less 1.2 mph. But otherwise it is accurate with steps.  I have a sports strap - the type with holes.  I tied a shoe lace through it and attached to thigh above my knee.  My fitbit sensor is would be located just above the back of the knee. I am getting an accurate reading for everything.  When I had it at my wrist, I was getting no steps while typing on treadmill.  On my ankle, I was getting too many steps.  Added benefit, when I wash my hands, I don’t take it off because strap feels wet.  Disadvantage, can’t use as watch and doesn’t record slower walking.  Easy to take off and on with shoestring. Lol. 

[Onlytheyum]

Thanks for this! I've been trying to crack this code as well. I wear yoga pants while I work, so I'll try the shoe string trick and see what happens. 

[DaniON]

Thanks for this thread! I was just encountering the same problems with my under-the-desk treadmill at work, when I found this thread and all these great tips!

[KOrtizz]

I'm using a Charge 5 with my treadmill desk. Before finding this thread I tried a few tricks with varying results, so I'm looking forward to trying this! 

One question, will keeping the tracker on my wrist and signing in to the Treadmill option in the Exercise program work to better track? I tried this yesterday and it seemed to work ok but I wasn't able to use the watch while it was tracking the exercise.

[MrsHaines]

I’d love to know if you found this to work (using the treadmill exercise option) 

[LZeeW]

Hello @MrsHaines and welcome to the Community.  The treadmill exercise option starts and stops the exercise, but doesn't address the step counting issue.  The accelerometer sees what it sees in motion patterns.  So the workaround is to get the accelerometer to see the motion patterns.  As mentioned, the downside to putting it in your pocket is that you lose heart rate tracking.  I'm a little surprised that one user mentioned getting too many steps on the ankle.   That hasn't been my experience.  I recommend wearing it on your ankle with the heart rate sensor about an inch or two above your inside ankle bone.

[KOrtizz]

I did! I will say this, I have a patella knee strap that I put on then attach my Charge 5 to that while I am using my desk treadmill. I don't get a heart rate reading but I've been using it like this for a while and I feel like it gets my steps pretty accurate. 

[CptnSeadragun]

Has anyone tried using a second device alongside their fitbit? Like using mobile tracker or a fitbitzip type device. I tried using the mobile tracker option but it didn't count my steps at all. That however,  seems to be a separate issue but it is possible for some to use the mobile tracker as a pedometer while wearing your fitbit. 

[JesseTNC]

I charged up my old Alta HR to use as my "walking" fitbit and put it in my pocket (kept my Inspire on my wrist) but had the same issue with it recording too many steps. I'm going to try strapping it to my knee next time.