Tracking Elliptical use if not using bars

[Smac228]

Wondering...I realize that my Versa 2 has tracking ability when using an elliptical...however tracking is based on holding on to the bars of the elliptical while exercising. I typically don’t use the bars. So what would be the best way to measure/track this exercise? I understand the elliptical “stride” is shorter than a running stride. Perhaps I should use biking? Or just use the generic workout tracking?

[LZeeW]

Hello @Smac228 and a warm welcome.  Wrist worn trackers, like your Versa 2 need to sense motion that it can perceive as a step.  Holding on to the rails takes that motion away.  This is why a wrist tracker has trouble counting steps when pushing a shopping cart or pushing a stroller.  Using biking or workout will not solve your problem and, especially in the case of biking, it will give you nonsense data.

In your case, I would recommend a third party strap or extender so you can wear your Fitbit on your ankle when using the elliptical this way.  Check out sites like Amazon or Ebay.  And use the elliptical shortcut.

[Smac228]

Hi there,

Perhaps I need to clarify. The bars on the elliptical that I am referring to are the ones that you move back and forth. I do not use these when I workout. I simply hold on to the “static” handles. As such I KNOW that my Fitbit will not register me being on an elliptical, as my arms are not moving.
So my questions is what would be the better shortcut to use based on the movement I am doing? That’s why I thought the biking one would be better. The motion of my legs on an elliptical would be similar to biking. Otherwise I would just use the “workout” shortcut

Thanks.

[t.parker]

@Smac228 As far as i remember Fitbit supports Elliptical as manually tracked exercise. You need to add it to the list of Exercise app and trigger it when younstary workout.

[Smac228]

Thanks.

[LZeeW]

@Smac228   No clarification necessary.  I understand exactly how you are using your elliptical.  People use ellipticals as a low impact step exercise.  Users want their steps to count.  Fitbit does not see biking as a step based exercise.  My suggestion is a way to get your steps to count and the tracker itself must move in the proper way for a step to count.

That said, if you don't care about the step count, then the way you use you elliptical is more like a stationary bike (the bike exercise shortcut is really for outdoor biking).  In that case, the spinning exercise shortcut is your best choice.

[Smac228]

Yes, less concerned about the step count.
Thanks for the suggestion about using the spinning shortcut.

[Heather-S · Accepted solution]

@Smac228 I would use “Elliptical” or “Workout” from the list of exercise shortcuts, personally.