Stride length question

[stellafred]

Right up front I admit that I am totally befuzzled by all things numbers and math. Having said this, here's my question:

My Versa undercounts my mileage (i.e., when I run 3.1 miles - a 5k - it tells me I've run about 2.3) It is NOT connected to GPS, because it drains my phone battery immediately when doing so, so this is relying on step count. I know that if I adjust my stride length correctly I can get the mileage closer, but my (really dumb) question is....do I need to put in a shorter or longer stride length in order to make this adjustment? I've thought and thought about this, and just can't figure it out.

And this, folks, is why I was an English major....thanks for any help. 🙂

[JohnnyRow · Accepted solution]

Make your running stride length bigger.  Multiply it by 1.35  (3.1/2.3)

[stellafred]

Thank you so much!! I will try that.

[silvermetis]

This is not a solution neither is turning on gps! 

I been having an ongoing discussion with tech support about this inaccuracy. The stride length is calculated based on height, weight, gender and other parameters know only to fitbit. Turning on gps merely puts a line on the map and discharges the watch and phone battery. 

If you are always doing the same run you can effect an apparent correction by altering the stride length, but this will only work for this run. 

Most trained athletes adjust stride length taking a longer stride going down hill and a shorter stride going up hill - its like changing gear in a car- it enable you to maintain a steadier rhythm.

If you don't believe me check the step count going up a hill and step count running down.

The solution is for fitbit to fix the gps problem, reduce the gps update rate and calculate the stride length over the gps distance as the advance setting say they do.

[JohnnyRow]

@silvermetis   Do you know of any way of determining precise distance without GPS?  It sounds like you think you know how to sense the stride length and adjust as you run.

[silvermetis]

Hi,

I understand the problem but do not have the solution.

My versa discharges in about 4 hours if you use GPS connect which is ok for a run but not for hiking.

I download the GPS track recorded on recent walk and reloaded it into OSMAND an Android app I have used for many years that have proved to be accurate. My versa understated the distance by about 17%. The walk comprised of a steady climb followed a steeper decent and the last 50% level.

When I called fitbit they told me to manually increase the stride length as they seem to have told you.

I tried downloading other GPS tracks some were reasonably accurate particularly those that were on level ground so I concluded that adjusting the stride setting would cause the versa to over report the distance if the track is level.

If you have a run of known distance try saving the GPS and loading it into another app and comparing the distances.

I use my versa primarily for walks and hikes if fitbit increased the GPS update rate to 5 seconds rather than the present default 1 second update the battery would last all day. I would then be able to down load the GPS tracks and look at them afterwards.

This would be the solution for me.
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Regards
Barry
07717717892

Sent from my Galaxy far far away