Fitbit not recording steps when pushing wheelchair

[suzyquef]

My Fitbit/Versa does not seem to record steps when I push my mother in her wheel chair.  I was wondering what would happen if I let my husband wear it (he controls the dog) so we can at least tell how far we have gone.

Moderator edit: format

[JohnnyRow · Accepted solution]

Since the Fitbit is on your wrist, often steps are not detected when it is held steady, such as pushing wheelchair or shopping cart, or holding hand rail on treadmill.  Often you will get better step count if you put the tracker in your pocket or somehow  pin to your clothes, at the expense of not getting heart rate data for that time.

If you have someone else wear it for that time, if going same distance, it should get close to same number of steps, off by the difference in your stride lengths, and you would get different heart rates recorded for that time.  And you would probably want it on the hand without the leash to prevent same phenomenon.

[Parksey_92]

Hii there,, I had the same issue when pushing my daughter in her buggy/pram,, I bought an an extra large strap and put it on my ankle/bottom of leg,, it kinda feels like I’m on the tag but works really well

[lcomeaux01]

Yes, that has worked for me too, as I push my daughter in her wheelchair.. However, I lost my versa 2 today; it feel off my ankle at some point on my 4 mile walk.  So sad.

[JohnnyRow]

Too bad;  advice too late but should wear socks over it.

If battery still good, download a bluetooth tracker app to phone and go back over route, maybe drive route slowly.  There are several free bluetooth locator apps that will show when then get close to bluetooth signal, of course assuming someone else hasn't already picked it up.

Official advice: