Is it cheating to put your Fitbit on your ankle when you bike ride?

[Micah2]

My friend does it and I’m not sure if it’s fair

[LZeeW · Accepted solution]

Hello @Micah2 and welcome to the Help forums.  Many people put their Fitbits on their ankles when riding a bike, especially when they ride a stationary bike.  They say that moving your leg like a step should count as a step.  I disagree.  I'm with you on this.  For me, it is more about science.

Your Inspire HR is an advanced activity and fitness tracker and is so much more than a step counter.  If you have started to learn about coding and algorithms, then you will understand that a Fitbit uses one algorithm for walking and a different one for bike riding.  Your Inspire HR is much more accurate when you use the Exercise app with the Bike choice.

I hope I am not talking down to you about algorithms.  I apologize if I am.  

[fitwoC-]

I don’t really know but it only works on your wrist 

[LZeeW]

@fitwoC-   Fitbits do count steps when worn on an ankle.  Fitbit uses a device called an accelerometer to count steps.  Accelerometer tracings from an ankle look almost identical to those from a wrist.  Actually, there is less noise to sift through.

People who take long walks pushing strollers or who use jogging strollers always write because their steps aren't counted.  This is because their wrists aren't moving.  I always recommend wearing the device on the ankle for situations like this.

[Micah2]

Thank you so much! I wasn’t sure but when I tried it it seemed like it was giving me steps WAY to fast. Thank you for replying so quickly and I will be sure to tell them that the next time we do a competition 😉 haha

[LZeeW]

@Micah2   I will be rooting for you!

BTW, My background is in science.  I know a lot about How This Stuff Works.  Feel free to ask me anything, any time.