Motor mower register extra steps when I use Inspire 2?

[JumblyOne]

Since getting my Fitbit I have had four mowing sessions.  Each time the activity was auto-recognised as "Outdoor Bike" with no steps taken; I have managed to change the description to "Mowing Lawn" on the first two which then shows steps taken - but 4000 steps in 40 minutes is probably too high (233 calories burned).  Would wearing on a clip register heartrate?  

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Heather-S · Accepted solution]

@JumblyOne Wearing on a clip would not provide heart rate details. It has to be touching your skin.

I have mowed with my Fitbit for years and it probably does register some extra steps due to the vibrations, but our yard is large and it takes me a good hour to mow it. I end up drenched in sweat because it's very hot, so I figure any extra steps that were given to me were definitely earned. 

[JumblyOne]

I had come to the same conclusion the moment that I posted.  I know that older people (like me) should aim to be active and generally increase their steps but heart rate monitoring is more important (and having Fitbit report that my heart is excellent for my age).  I wonder what would happen if I put the larger strap on and wrapped it around an ankle.  PS those 40 minutes were part of a 1hr 48min mowing session with a coffee break.

[LZeeW]

@JumblyOne   Wearing your Fitbit on your ankle while mowing just might work well for you.  I recommend wearing it at least an inch above your inside ankle bone.  Users who running with jogging strollers do this all the time.  Your arms don't swing while pushing the mower (you need some arm swing to register steps).  I can understand why the vibrations would get sensed as a bike ride. 

I have a skinny ankles so the large strap fits around mine.  If your large strap isn't long enough, you can see if this will work for you by placing your Fitbit inside your sock  --  unless you are a big fan of no show socks.  😉  There are band extenders on Amazon.

[JumblyOne]

I changed to the larger strap and put the Fitbit on my ankle for my latest, longest mowing session and it recorded 5800 steps in 84 minutes with an average heart rate of 109bpm.  Lovely data!   As changing strap is so fiddly, I probably won't bother again.  I might try working out how to extend the strap to keep it secure under a sock.