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Has Fitbit fixed swimming calorie burn?

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‎02-04-2019 08:51

‎02-04-2019 08:51

I got my Fitbit yesterday and have been reading the forums, I'm nervous about the Fitbit breaking as soon as I go into the pool tomorrow (lots of users on here that had that happen) and also annoyed about the low calorie count on swimming tracking...

 

I'm hitting the pool tomorrow to do a 50 minutes swim, what track mode should I use should I start the "Swim" option or use auto recongize?  Or should I just not bother tracking and log the swim manually?

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2 REPLIES 2

‎02-05-2019 05:46

‎02-05-2019 05:46

Well I went swimming today with the Versa and it didn't break in the water!! Woohoo. 

 

I did a 50 minute swim and swam about 1000 meters. I was pushing myself quite hard. The Versa clocked me at only burned 270 calories. 

 

I am 6ft 5 and weigh 15 stone 7 currently. When I got out of the pool I dried my Fitbit and immediately checked my BPM and it was at 160 and it felt right as I was really out of breath.

 

I don't think the calories are right, I used a calculator online and it's coming out at about 500 calories which I think is closer to the truth.

 

What do you guys think? Is there no way to get Fitbit to read my BPM while swimming?

Best Answer

‎02-05-2019 10:15

In response to SeanBoyd

‎02-05-2019 10:15

The optical heart rate sensor is disabled in water. That's not fitbit's fault it's just a limitation of the technology. Optical heart rate sensors and water just don't mix. Since they can't accurately calculate heart rate calories burned are going to be a bit off. I'm also a swimmer and I really wish fitbit would make a chest strap that we could pair with our watches. 

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