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?

[kperritt]

Tuck it under your sock close to your ankle.  Doesnt have to fit all the way around.

[Dougald]

Finally solved this for my Blaze this morning. Was getting as few as 67 steps recorded for a 30 minute treadmill session. Today, I allowed my arms to swing freely while mentally counting steps. All steps were recorded for the first time.

[Rich_Laue]

And without holding on you where not putting excess strain or damage to your body. Plus by not holding on you'll burn more calories. 

[GFizzle]

I just performed a 100 step test with the Charge HR on my wrist and in my pocket (recommended by some who prioritiezed step counts). I performed both tests twice with the same result. On my wrist, 60 out of 100 steps were counted. In my pocket 100 out of 100 were counted. Since I really want to keep the HR  on my wrist for the HR function, I tried moving my arms dramtaically in sync with my steps for the second test and that did NOT change the result at all. I have also tried this with holding the button on the side to start the exercise - no change. This appears to be consistent with other findings when distance is normalized.

For those without the HR feature , this is good news as you can just place it in your pocket or on your waist somehow. For those with the HR feature and you prioritize the zones level workouts, this is not good. 

I just added Jogging only to the previous 100 step test and the step count was accurate in both trials on my wrist! This is great news for RUNNERS/JOGGERS only. I have not cracked the soluton for WALKERS or mixed yet.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[SouthernWoman]

I agree.  I find it hard to believe that anone using a treadmill gets an accurate reading.  The Fitbit grossly underestimates steps and miles.  I do find that it is helpful in many other aspects, but I just have to use it for the walking outside for accurate information.  Too bad that they do not have a fix for the treadmill.

[Rich_Laue]

Being that I do not have a treadmill, and refuse to pay for gym membership when walking outside is so much nicer.. I have used several treadmills while at motels, and have found the accuracy to be the same as while walking outside or within 20 steps every 1000

[Rich_Laue]

---

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

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That's interesting @julieabe studies have shown that most exercise equipment on purpose display an elevated feel good calorie burn. 

Which app on your HTC gives you the higher burn rate? 

As for miles @SouthernWoman while on the treadmill the Charge HR needs to calculate the miles, just like it does outside.. The problem with a treadmill is that the user is forced to run F the speed the treadmill is set for, and this speed most likely will not be the speed of an outdoor free run. Consider that the body needs to change the stride as the speed of the walk/run changes, the faster the run/walk the faster the body is falling forward, the further out the foot has to be placed to catch it. 

Needless to say while on the treadmill miles will be iffy. 

As for steps, this should be as accurate as outside if the arm is not holding onto the rail, which has the affect of drastically reducing caloric burn, along with throwing the back and legs out of alignment. It also simply disturbs the natural flow of the body while running/walking. 

[rfc1995]

I agree walking outside is nice, and gym memberships are expensive, but there are lots of reasons folks join gyms (for one, it is difficult to have a fully stocked gym with weights in one's basement), so however people get in their exercise is a good thing, I think.  

I agree with you walks are nice, and your answers are always quite helpful.

[kilowatts]

Using the device around my ankle versus the wrist solved my treadmill counting issues.

[SouthernWoman]

Thanks...I will try it and report the results!

[asilmarie83]

I know that my phone counts almost double the steps when it is in my pocket, than when it is carried in my hand.  Maybe that counts for the variance?

[neuroman]

 Noticed someone with a similar problem using the surge two.Recording  walking  running 10 min mi/hr or faster) or jogging slower than 10 min miles hr or walking  on the treadmill with the treadmill or the running function turned  on   produces completely useless information In my case the steps measured average about 45% of those measured manually or sometimes less. I have walked  jogged and ranon the treadmill with the treadmill or the running function on and obtained very inaccurate results. Casual walking around the house yeilds step results which are seldom more accurate than 75%. Another owner claims he can increase accuracy somewhat(??) by swinging his arms in some prescribed manner.The fit bit websites claim the steps should be counted accurately. while the arms are almost stationary as example when pushing a stroler. Is my watch defecient or is the fit bit a scam??

[Bbgun007]

Fitit is a scam.  I've returned my Charge HR three times and the replacement unit is no better than the one it replaced.  If you think the steps are inaccurate test the flights of stairs you climb.  If these are inaccurate can you have any trust in the most important measurement; your heart rates? 

[SunsetRunner]

You are right.  Had the same ~45% accuracy rate on two different HR units. 

[Rich_Laue]

If the arms are not swinging but are stwionary to you bodies movement, ie moving up and down with tge body, steps will be counted.

Now if tge arm is tationary with the earth, ie holding on to the support rails or a carriage,  steps may not be counted correctly.

[kinkade11]

I have had these problems with both the fitbit flex and the new charge.  The best way I found to overcome this is to put the devise into my hip pocket.  It is much more accurate that way.

[neuroman]

Thanks for response. I have done some experimenting with your ideas and others posted here. First, I have a prosthesis so when I run at what for me is "fast" (9.5 min mile), I tend to feel somewhat unbalanced so I like to hold on to the rails of treadmill. As you suggest, this did not produce acceptable results. At slower speeds I can "swing" my arms much more easily which increases accuracy to acceptable levels .As suggested on this site placing the watch in a pocket increases accuracy at any speed but of course decreases the accuracy of other parameters of the device. Fitbit claims that the watch is accurate while pushing carts etc so I assumed holding the rails would be an acceptable alternative which in my experience (and yours), it is not.. They,in my opinion should warn people of these facts. Notwithstanding certain disappointments I am more pleased with the device than I was initially. Thanks

[Dougald]

@neuroman Thanks for your observations. I have found that pushing a shopping cart produces very compromised step counts. I have found acceptable results on the treadmill when holding the rail with the non-Fitbit hand while allowing the Fitbit hand to swing free. I hope this helps.

[Bbgun007]

My phone has an app that counts my steps.  Yesterday, after playing basketball for two hours, my phone registered just over 7,800 steps and my fitbit recorded 2680 steps.  This fitbit charge hr is a piece of crap.  Step count is inaccurate.  Flights of stairs climbed is inaccurate.  We always knew the calorie count was only an estimate but the other tools should be at least close.  My charge hr heart rate measurement are also inaccurate as measured against the six different exercise bikes and treadmills I use at the gym.  The charge hr is a very expensive toy that has no practical applications for people looking to improve their health.
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[cr1s804]

I put mine inside my sick to hold it in place on my ankle