Versa isn't tracking steps in pool

[Vermontmaid]

I have noticed the Versa doesn't always capture all my steps when I do my workout in the pool? I specifically purchased the Versa because it was waterproof and for the reason I workout in the pool. This would be a great feature for the Versa because not everyone is a swimmer or can walk on land.

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[AlvaroFitbit]

@Vermontmaid It's great to see that you've visited the Fitbit Community! Your Fitbit Versa has a 3-axis accelerometer to detect your arm movement and this is translated to steps. Since you are in the water your arm won't be moving as you normally would in land so steps may not be counted. The best thing to do is manually logging your activity but this is to have a better caloric burn calculation so it can be added to your account, it won't necessarily give you steps as this isn't a normal walking activity.

Let me know how it goes!

[Vermontmaid]

I understand what you mean by manually entering my pool time, but I certainly can't take my phone with me to the pool is there a way to do this from the Versa? I am really confused I got the Versa to make this easy and it just seems to be making things more complicated for me now getting frustrated.

[Bgailr312]

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@Vermontmaid wrote:

I understand what you mean by manually entering my pool time, but I certainly can't take my phone with me to the pool is there a way to do this from the Versa? I am really confused I got the Versa to make this easy and it just seems to be making things more complicated for me now getting frustrated.

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Try this:

Use the upper right button to enter exercise mode. Swipe until you see "Swim" and press on the watch face. Then press the "play" button to start tracking your exercise. When you are done, touch the "pause" button. Then to completely stop the activity I think you have to swipe or maybe press the back button. That should at least log the activity and time (eg, swim 30 minutes).

[billandrewsjr]

I noticed that as well when I was in Jamaica, both in the pool and the ocean.  It did recognized Swim activity correctly!  

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@Vermontmaid wrote:

I have noticed the Versa doesn't always capture all my steps when I do my workout in the pool? I specifically purchased the Versa because it was waterproof and for the reason I workout in the pool. This would be a great feature for the Versa because not everyone is a swimmer or can walk on land.

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

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[Vermontmaid]

Thank you for your suggestion but I am not swimming. I am doing a walking PT program to rehab a bad knee. 

[WendyB]

It is not going to count your steps in the pool no matter what you do.

Please read @AlvaroFitbit post. Your arms are not moving correctly in the pool to count as steps

When I wanted the steps counted when I was doing PT like you I  would manually add Steps by figuring out the length of the pool and how many steps per lap.

Just be aware manually logged steps do not go towards badges or challenges

[Vermontmaid]

I understand it won’t count my steps in the water I really do get that, but what I don’t understand is how the heck to manually enter what I am doing. The instructions are about as clear as mud to me. This was supposed to be simple and fun. So far all I have had is frustration and aggravation clearly I am not a technical person. 

[Bgailr312]

Here is info about manually logging exercise depending on whether you are doing it from your computer or your mobile device:

https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1144/?q=track+exercise&l=en_US&fs=Search&pn=1

I am not sure if you can log exercise directly from the versa. The closest I can find is what I mentioned above, about using the "exercise" app to record the length of time you are doing that exercise.

If the instructions in the above link are not clear, let us know which method you are using (iPhone app, Android app, computer, etc) and maybe we can provide some better instructions.

[MySweetRaven]

I am having the same issue in the pool. Today I made sure to move my arms in the water and after an hour I only had 26 steps. This is disappointing. I could manually log swmming with my Alta and would not have spent this much money on a new fitbit. My old Garmin vivofit worked well in the water as long as you were moving your arms but the battery only lasts a year.

The Versa is a disappointment for us water lovers.

[billandrewsjr]

When I was in Jamaica in the pool, it didn't count any steps. It did
detect swimming and put it in the right category plus it counted calories
burned,

--

Bill Andrews
billandrewsjr@gmail.com
248-396-4515

[MySweetRaven]

Thanks. I will try to turn on the swimming screen when I start. Is that what you did?

Sent from my iPad

[billandrewsjr]

It switched it automatically

Sent from my iPhone

[cathen123]

I was going to replace my AltaHR with a Versa because I do water aerobics with running and walking in the pool and plenty of arm movement.  We have a steps challenge at work, and I assumed the Versa would give me steps for this.  I'm reading that it won't is that correct?  I wonder why a Garmin tracker is easily used in the pool and steps are tracked and Fitbits are not?

[MySweetRaven]

My Garmin works as long as I move my arms. Arm movement helps with the Versa but not as much as the Garmin. Someone suggested to set the Versa on swim but I have not tried that yet. There are several posts about this.



Sent from my iPad

[cathen123]

Thanks for the info. If I set it to swim it isn’t going to count as steps for our work challenges so I don’t want t to spend the $$ if I get the same results as my Alta without taking it in water. 

[cathen123]

So sad. 

[MySweetRaven]

YEP …..I wish I had not spent the money for sure.

[DHonieLG]

I turned on treadmill exercise while walking in the pool. Gave me steps and exercise.  Not sure if it gave me all my steps   i use floatation weights and move my arms a lot.

[CassiesGran]

Same issue. My husband bought this specifically for its waterproof characteristics and has been a huge disappointment particularly when other women I exercise with water walking who have Garmin units do not have this issue. Fitbit needs to come up with a solution otherwise this is an expensive toy.

That said, I did find my steps on a treadmill which I have never had it on so we shall see tomorrow what comes up on that.

It should not be necessary to use this.