Fitbit inspire HR for swimming

[SunsetRunner]

I wore a Fitbit Inspire HR on the same arm and at the same times as a SwimTag (supplied by Pool).  Results are puzzling. Fitbit Inspire HR seems to track about 10% fewer laps in a 25m pool.  I always lose count (?), but I am sure that the SwimTag is closer to the actual number.

I wonder if anyone has similar experience and/or any explanation? Position on wrist perhaps? It is still useful for when I swim at a pool that does not supply a SwimTag.

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @SunsetRunner, thanks for stopping by.  Thanks a million for all the information that you've shared in your post. Really helpful!

Thanks for sharing the results after comparing you Swim Tag and your Inspire HR, please note that your Fitbit device records your swims regardless of your swimming ability, meaning you can swim about 6 to 12 lengths of the pool without stopping to rest. If you’re unable to swim this distance, you may notice inconsistencies in your swim data including some lengths not counted. As your swimming ability improves, you’ll likely notice fewer inconsistencies in your data. 

Also make sure to wear your Inspire HR a finger's width above your wrist bone. 

Remember always check the pool length information, to ensure it is accurate: 

• On your device, open the Exercise app > Swim.
• Swipe up and tap Pool Settings.

I'd like to mention that, if the same activity gives you a certain amount of lengths one day and fewer the next day, remember that the intensity of exercise is key. Often what seems like the exact same amount of effort over the same distance in fact differs slightly enough to change your number of total lengths.

Let me know how it goes, I'll be around!

[dnabz]

Why should the intensity change the distance? I swim the same distance every day with minimal changes in the intensity. I want to know how many laps I swam whether they were slow or fast. In the short time I have had my inspire, it has tracked 70 lengths as 65, 66, 62, 64, 60, and 66. This is not helpful.

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @dnabz nice to see you around. Thanks for sharing your input, sorry for the delay. I'll be glad to assist you with the accuracy inquiries when tracking swim in your Inspire HR.

About your inquiry, please note that inconsistencies in your swim data may be caused by any of the following:

• You completed only a few laps
• You stopped to rest multiple times or in the middle of the pool
• You stopped to rest for longer than 60 seconds after completing a pool length
• You changed your stroke type midway through a length
• You swam with a kickboard or without using your arms
• You swam less than the minimum duration needed for your swim to be automatically recognized

Let me know if you have more questions. 

[dnabz]

Thank you for your response. None of the situations you described apply to
me. I swim 35 laps (I don't think that is only a few). I do not stop to
rest. I do not change strokes in the middle of a lap. I swim for over an
hour. I do not swim with a kickboard or without using my arms. Is there
something else that might be causing the miscount or might my fitbit be
defective?

DeAnne Nabholz

[SunsetRunner]

BS

[dnabz]

What exactly is that supposed to mean?

[SwimSwan]

I am super disappointed with the inaccuracies of the FitBit Inspire. My daughter wanted it to track her swim practice and it does not calculate the laps correctly. Of course she stops and often gets out after a 100m and then dives back in, etc, etc. Then when I try to edit the swim in the app, I can update the meters but the laps don’t change nor do the calories. This is very frustrating and I don’t understand why these issues have not been ironed out.

[SunsetRunner]

I don’t think this Fitbit will work for the purpose you hope it will.
If you reset it for each swim it will do reasonably well, provided only the swim is freestyle.
I find it only useful on a consistent basis when it is set on swimming and freestyle is done for at least 15 minutes. Even then, it often ‘misses’ a lap or two.
For your purposes I think a much more sophisticated instrument will be required.

I think they tried and failed to sell this model as something more than it is. Sorry.

[dnabz]

I've been using my Inspire HR to track my swimming since early in the summer. A few things I've learned - you absolutely cannot stop, getting out of the pool will mess it up. It is more accurate if you use all the same stroke. I used to switch between breast stroke and the crawl. When I switched strokes, it was very inaccurate. Doing just one stoke, it is usually off by one length. Since I always do a full lap, I know to add that length in my mind. No, it is probably not the best choice for tracking swimming, but it doesn't cost $300-$400 either.

[SunsetRunner]

Good points. Very similar experience for me.