Treadmill accuracy issues

[MassDAD]

I have been using my Fitbit Charge HR for a couple of weeks now, and while I am finding so many aspects beneficial I have been encountering issues with accuracy regarding treadmill workouts.

Both step count and mileage in grossly under reported by my Fitbit, for instance today I did 3.83 miles of inclined walking and my Fitbit only recorded 5,608 steps and 2.4 miles.  I do not hold on to the rails at any point in my workouts and my arms swing naturally.  Every workout I've had on the treadmill I have had to delete the entry and manually enter the correct distance values, which then updates the step count.  It is winter in new England and not many brave souls are out logging miles in freezing conditions, I use my treadmill daily for workouts.

However, now I do not get credit for my manually enetered steps for daily challenges or badges.  

How can this Fitbit be so innacurate on both distance and step count on one of the most common methods of excercise?

[ivey68]

Since my post on 03-22-2016, I've read several articles online about this being such a problem. A few people said they called the FitBit support 800 number and told them they needed an extension for their FitBit and were sent one. 

That being said, I wonder why FitBit doesn't let us know that's a possibility so we can wear them around our ankles if we prefer, even if there's a minimal charge. But in my opinion, there really shouldn't be a charge, if you want to wear it on your ankle, since the device isn't doing what it's advertised to do!

Hope this helps!

[kxh3011]

I have used my Fit bit Charge HR on treadmills and didn't have any issues with steps or distance.  I made sure to not hold the bars or if I needed to hold a bar only only with hand without my band.  Make sure you have the most current software for fit bit.  Hope it all works out!

[AMelB]

So, have only done one work out on the treadmill and I DO NOT hold on and steps were incorrect. I haven't tried the reset yet and will do that before I get on the treadmill tomorrow, but am a little worried that this one will go back as well (tried and returned the Alta for the same reason back in March).

I have a One that is VERY accurate and I have compared to actual counts and the Charge HR is off. I really hope the reset works because I would really like a wrist version that works. If this doesn't work I will stick with my One, but I'm not sure FitBit will sucker me in again.

[Bbgun007]

My Fitbit reminds me of both political parties in the United States.  They both talk the big talk but when it come to performing as they promise I'm let down.  My Fitbit cannot even count the correct flights of stairs I climb each day.  It cannot accurately keep track of my steps either.  So, why would I believe it is accurate in measuring my pulse or my sleep patterns.   I use an exercise bike for my cardio.  When the bike say my heart rate is at 120 and my Fitbit says my heart rate is 90 one of them is incorrect.  I have awaken at 2:00 A.M. some mornings and I'll be awake for a few hours before I go back to sleep.  My Fitbit does not record this multi-hour interruption in my night's sleep.  Even when I get out of bed and go into another room to read or do work my Fitbit does not record it as a sleep interruption. 
The Fitbit might be a neat toy but I would not use it for any reliable information regarding my health or my fitness.


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[AMelB]

Yesterday I wore both my One and my Charge HR all day (two different accounts so I can compare them effectively). For most of the day my Charge was 800 steps higher than my One. I was feeling a little off so only did 2 miles on the treadmill by the end of which my One was 1200 steps ahead of my Charge. I had the app open while walking (with my arms swinging, not holding on) and noticed the Charge was only counting every other step, while the One was capturing every step.

After my work out I noticed that it had recorded the work out as Elliptical and I am wondering if anyone has had any success turning off the auto recognize feature for elliptical, does it better recognizes walking.

I have done this now and will try it again tonight. If it doesn't work I'm afraid I'm going to have to return this one, just like I did my Alta, and face the fact that apparently a wrist option is not for me.

[Bbgun007]

I have tried all that you suggested in your email. I still have accuracy issues. Today my fitbit says I climbed 56 flight of stairs. Actually I climbed about 6 flights. If this many accuracy issues are in question how can I know if my heart rate is correct, my sleep hours are correct or my resting heart rate is even close to accurate?

This is a very expensive toy that provides little reliable data. I hope you are not relying upon it for any real health information.

[andil_seattle]

Call tech support and have them walk you some fixes. If the problem
persists they will likely replace your tracker. I had that happen and
that's what they did for me

--
Best Regards,


/andi

Moderator edit: removed personal information.

[kwatts70]

I've had the same problem.  If I walk 3.5 miles on my treadmill, my Fitbit records anywhere from 1.9 to 2.1 miles.  That's a lot of steps...

[Rich_Laue]

@kwatts70 we need more info to help.

How accurate is the step count while on the treadmill? 

Your tracker does not count miles, but steps.

Is the stride set for your free run or your treadmill, it is very unlikely to have the same stride.

How accurate is the steps and distance while on a free run?

Fitbit counts your steps then multiplies it by how far your feet travel in a step, your stride.

Holding onto the bars while on the treadmill may cause your tracker to miss steps, i wont go into the dangers and possible injuries.

[pollyw]

I agree that these trackers should be as acurate as possible. If we only strive in life to be 80 percent of our best effort then we are going to fall short everytime.  This is not acceptable. Most people are reporting that the Charge HR is the device with the most inacuracy on a treadmill. My Alta is the same I am getting only about 60 to 70 percent accuracy when on my treadmill. That means I have to work 30 to 40 percent harder to get to 100 percent. Not fair.

[kwatts70]

The step count seems to be off. I walked 3.5 miles in about 62.5 minutes. I manually counted a couple of quarter miles and each was around 515 steps. After 1 mile, the Fitbit had me at 1,120 steps.

[julieabe]

Wondering if the gym treadmill is correct or my Charge HR?

Treadmill says I did 51 minutes and 4.95km and 230 calories.

Charge says I did 48 minutes and no km and 357 calories.

There is a big difference there. Anyone know which to trust better please?

Thanks for any advice.

[AMelB]

I would trust the gym treadmill for distance. As for calories it depends on
the setti gz on each the treadmill and the fitbit. Caloriea burned depend
on a number of factors and if they aren't set accurately on the equipment
measuri g it they won't be accurate.

As for time, I would trust the treadmill as well. The fitbit doesn't always
start measuring the time when your workout starts.

[Rich_Laue]

If you use the button on the HR to start and stop the exercise tracking function then your times will be good.. Now if the stride is set correctly for the speed your going at, and you edit the type of exert use the mileage will be close.

[julieabe]

How about the calories though?  Gym equipment reckons I use a lot less than the HTC does? 


Sent from Samsung Mobile on O2

[AMelB]

If you have your personal statistics set in the HR it's probably closer.
The treadmills I have used have a setting to input your weight and this
affects what it says for calories burned. If you're not doing this at the
gym it has no way to accurately calculate.

[Neal1]

I as well have treadmill issues. It counts maybe a mile and a half on the Fitbit, but I'm 3 miles plus on the treadmill. Swinging arms, the whole bit.

[Rich_Laue]

@Neal1 first thing I'd ask is have you set your stride up yet? Is it set for a free run or the treadmill ate the speed you run at? 

Second is that we need to know the distance ran on the treadmill and the steps taken during this time, this is all that is needed to determine stride and get a fairly close milage. Reminder your fitbit on the treadmill can not measure distance, it calculates it. Steps times stride equals distance. 

[Neal1]

Set for normal stride, so there may be the issue. Not concerned, as I'm not necessarily motivated by step count or mileage, after all, it's the "HR" in the Charge that's mostly what I'm after, and according to my Polar chest strap, it's accurate. It's good to see over a few months resting HR come from 66-70 to 56-60.

[kperritt]

I must say I do hold on to the rails because I'm 60 years old.  I took the advice of someone from another thread and put my HR under my sock and folded the sock over to keep it in place.  I've had no problems with the treadmill and counting steps.  May want to try that to see if you get a difference.