Counting steps on treadmill

[jw2074]

When I'm on a treadmill my Inspire 2 won't count steps unless I let my arm hang free with the watch on that arm?????

[Heather-S · Accepted solution]

@jw2074 Your Fitbit senses steps by arm swings.  If you are holding on to the treadmill, it won't count your steps.  You need to let your arm hang or swing naturally.  It doesn't know you're walking unless you are moving your arm, that's how all pedometers work.

[jw2074]

Thank you so much for your advice. I'll definitely try this

[LZeeW]

@jw2074   I want to point out a feature of the Inspire 2 with a little explanation of how this stuff works.  The Inspire 2 has an On Wrist/On Clip option.  Switching between the two changes the sensitivity of the accelerometer, the part that analyzes motion.  The On Wrist setting needs that wrist motion.  If you put it in the On Clip setting, you would wear it on your torso.  Your wrists don't need to swing to count steps.  Unfortunately, the On Clip setting turns the heart rate sensor off, so it can't measure active zone minutes.

[soccerdiva990]

But how would you account for the clip on pedometers counting steps then? I wore a Fitbit One until I could find another and I wore it clipped to my bra or my waistband. I'm having issues with my Inspire 2 not counting steps on the treadmill. It starts out fine and about 10 minutes in it will start to hang and stop counting steps. I have multiple open tickets with support as we speak.

[CarolS]

soccerdiva990, I used the One, too, until recently.  I wore the One either clipped to my waistband or placed in my sock if I were using the elliptical (since my arms weren't moving.)  In order for my Inspire 2 to count my steps on my elliptical, I use the elastic band and place it just above my ankle.  The Inspire 2 continues to count everything like it does on my wrist, but I don't "lose" steps because my arms aren't swinging.  The elastic strap was an additional purchase, but it seems to be working.

What I DO notice with the Inspire 2 vs the One is that the amount of steps to reach 5 miles varies wildly.  It used to take me about 12,000 steps to get to 5 miles, which came out to about 2.400 steps per mile.  Now, my steps per mile are anywhere  between 2,100 and 5,000.  I've turned off the GPS and modified my step length, but the step per mile count is still all over the place.
(Edited to say, "I've turned OFF the GPS.)

[jw2074]

Thanks so much. Big help!

[KhepraM]

I have a treadmill under my desk while I work. I’m a little bummed my Charge 5 is not sensing me walking because I’m actually typing on my keyboard. If I take it off and let it hang on my leggings or bra would it be able to sense steps like the One used to?

[Heather-S]

@KhepraM Your Fitbit and any wrist-based pedometer needs to have the motion of your arm swing to know you're walking. You could try putting it on your ankle instead or try to find a clip for it and clip it to your pants.