Versa not counting steps on treadmill

[MorFit2.0]

This morning I ran a 5k, my RunKeeper app as well as the treadmill both calculated the 3.2+ miles that were logged, but my new FitBit Versa only counted half of the steps. I was so excited for this new tracker, but this was very disappointing!  Please let me know there is a fix to this?!

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[AlvaroFitbit]

@MorFit2.0 Welcome! It's great to see you around. Sorry to hear that your Versa isn't counting steps while using the treadmill machine. Your Versa uses the sensor in it to detect movement and will translate this movement into steps. If you hold on to the handlebars then you won't be moving your arms as with a normal walk and steps won't be counted. Ideally you won't use the handlebars so all your steps will be calculated. Also your Versa will use the steps detected along with your stride length to calculate the distance so you can check these tips to do this if you wish.

Let me know how it goes!

[kitkat22]

I have a similar issue --failure to record steps (walking) on Treadmill at some stages..then recording number of steps but not interpreting that as distance (length of steps at walking and running has been entered in settings)   Wondering if doing a factory reset "might" help .. Only had the Versa for 2 weeks

[AlvaroFitbit]

@kitkat22 Welcome to the Fitbit Community! It's great to have you here! Sorry to hear that your Versa isn't calculating correctly the distance while you are on the treadmill and for the delay in my reply. As explained on my previous post your Versa does need to detect the steps so avoid holding the handlebars. Getting the full motion of a normal walk will improve the accuracy of the detected activity so try this before doing a factory reset.

Let me know how it goes!

[andalusiabob]

I have the same problem. What I do is manually log a walk exercise for the difference in miles between the treadmill and Versa readings. This corrects the steps but I'm not sure if it gets the calories right

[AlvaroFitbit]

@andalusiabob Welcome! Thanks for being part of our Community! Sorry for the delay in my reply. Thank you for sharing your tips. You could try logging a treadmill activity for the full duration of the activity and compare the calories you get. Also try the suggestions in my previous post about not grabbing the handrail so your device can detect all the steps and the duration of the activity.

Let me know how it goes!

[vespa125px]

The best way I found was to put it around my ankle. luckily I have skinny ankles. Don't know how accurate that makes it. But at least its apples compared to apples.

[kitkat22]

Thanks for the suggestion

I tried strapping my fitbit charge 2 to my ankle while keeping the versa on my wrist but that didnt work out - the 2 recorded steps but could not be incorporated into the app

The disadvantage of putting the versa on the ankle is theres no recording ones heart rate.

Thanks for the suggestion, though





of

Sent from my iPhone

[andalusiabob]

Thanks for the idea but I like to monitor my heartrate while I'm on the treadmill.

[Johnkn]

I need to hold onto bar for two reasons. First is to keep my balance. Second is to get a better pulse. Versa always reads high compared to a finger tip clip on sensor.  Versa is about 20 to 30  bpm higher. Versa displays Zero steps using Treadmill app. In my pocket it reads very accurately. John k

[AlvaroFitbit]

@Johnkn thank you for the update and for the late reply. If you need to use the treadmill bars then please use them. I am just mentioning that this will impede the Versa to properly detect the movement. Still thank you for sharing your experience about wearing the Versa on your pocket and that it counts your steps this way as this may help other members in the same situation.

I'll be around!

[Heather-S · Accepted solution]

If you're going to hold onto the treadmill bars, you will not have steps counted.  Your Fitbit relies on the motion of your arms/wrists.  So holding onto the treadmill bars will result in very few, if any, steps counted.  Fitbits are designed to be worn on the wrist and record steps based on the motion of your wrist.  If you must hold onto the bars for safety, please do so, but I'd suggest putting the device in your pocket.

[Johnkn]

Thanks. Fitbit needs to fix this. As an 80 year old user, I need the cross
bars for balance. Not getting any steps sort of defeats the Fitbit purpose
of achieving steps goals while you monitor your pulse. John

--
John

[Johnkn]

Thanks. Fitbit needs to fix this. As an 80 year old user, I need the cross
bars for balance. Not getting any steps sort of defeats the Fitbit purpose
of achieving steps goals while you monitor your pulse. John

PS, My wife's Fitbit ALTA HR works with hands on the bar. But, I have
trouble seeing such a small screen. BTW so does she. She gave up on it.

--
John

[Jacqueline_E]

@AlvaroFitbit as @Johnkn stated, "Fitbit need to fix this".  Is this being worked/addressed by Fitbit?

[kitkat22]

Hi

I haven’t heard anything from Fitbit to make me think that they have any intention of doing anything about this
Its been a case of “just dont hold on and swing your arms”

Sent from my iPhone

[Johnkn]

I am not sure what happened, but after the latest Versa SW update,
33.33.1.30 now allows me to record steps on an elliptical recliner. Prior,
I got exactly Zero steps. I am off the treadmill for a month now, can't
wait to get back on....

--
John

[BK99]

What a disappointment. Whether I'm running at 7.5 mph or walking at 3.5 mph, the Versa doesn't calculate my steps or my mileage on a treadmill accurately, which really negates the point of having it. And no, I'm not holding onto the bar. The heartbeat monitor works sporadically--I've had to wipe it twice today, something I've never once done with my Charge 2, and I'm not doing anything that would make me have to wipe it. Fitbit needs to fix this. About the only good thing I can say about it is that I can listen to music without my phone nearby, but only if I have 30 minutes to sync a playlist. Oh, and my FAVORITE part of this **ahem** is that if I want to use the GPS, I need to take my phone with me. Um...if I wanted to do that I wouldn't need a Fitbit. Glad I bought this at Costco because it's most likely going back. I'll be writing a consumer review to help prevent other people from making the same mistake. 

[Kiasmama]

I do believe the Ionic has the GPS in it that you don't need the phone for

[Johnkn]

I learned a bit about my VERSA recently.

I have found that the software people at Fitbit are trying be fanciful
about something very simple. So, not only do they lock out steps in early
AM hours, they can lock out steps if VERSA is worn on the dominant wrist. I
have been using a reclining Elliptical instead of the treadmill as I
injured a foot. I found Zero steps recorded out of 2000 steps shown on
machine if worn on right wrist. If worn on left wrist VERSA agrees
precisely to the steps on the machine. The software people can learn from
the FITBIT ONE device that counts steps no matter what I do.

Also, the heart rate monitor still reads about 20 beats higher than a
finger tip monitor.

I am still disappointed with VERSA.

--
John