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

[Edrichm]

Thanks for the suggestion to put it in the sock.   I'm able to recorded my trendmill steps, walker steps and grocery cart steps.  Thanks

[Equestrian14]

That literally does not work. I never hold the handle bars and overswing just to see if it tracks and the Versa 2 doesn’t track. I walk at 5 mph for 3 miles and oftentimes haven’t even tracked a mile. Ironically if I hold my phone in my hand it tracks. So what is the deal? 

[bretta72]

Get Outlook for iOS

[t-o-m-k]

Put it in your sock on the treadmill.

[MrMarv]

If you put it in your sock you will get steps but you will get either no heart rate tracking or ridiculously outrageous heart rate values.

I wear mine in it's regular spot on my wrist and make sure my arm swings freely with no exaggeration. I often have the off hand on the treadmill arm, but never the hand with the device. I get good heart rate tracking and I do not miss steps - this afternoon's treadmill exercise booked an average of 98.3 steps per minute or 1.64 steps per second - no missed steps in my mind.

[k10pinter]

I’m not sure why it would count steps correctly in your pocket if it needs the swinging of your arm to count steps to begin with! 

[Wifejackson]

Good to know. Will have to find something better than Versa 2. Some people, for a whole bunch of reasons, need to use hand rail. Further, the link to manually entering the steps doesn’t work. Totally disappointed in Fitbit and won’t recommend it to anyone.

[Jacqueline_E]

One solution is to wear the Versa 2 on your ankle. Comfortable plus
improved accuracy in step count.

[Heidib70]

I totally agree. If I walk outside I can get 10,000 steps in, in under 5 miles. On my treadmill I have to walk almost 7 miles. The calorie count is usually about 150 calories less than what my treadmill reads. Very frustrating. I live in Upstate NY our season for walking outside is short.

[lindabridges57]

I walk 3.5 miles on treadmill every day. I Do Not hold on to rails and Fitbit only shows me walking 3 miles!

☹️☹️😡

[Heather-S]

@lindabridges57 Your fitbit is merely estimating your steps and stride length since you are essentially walking in place. It will not be as accurate as the treadmill (assuming your treadmill belt is accurate as well). It's all an estimation, try not to take it too seriously.

[Rufous44]

@lindabridges57 do you also walk outdoor?

If not you can definitely change your stride in the Fitbit app because it appears to be slightly underset.

For example is it's set as 90 cm you could change it as 90 * 3.5 / 3 = 105 cm (or equivalent in US metric system, sorry I'm not familiar with it).

This should give you a closer value to what reported by your treadmill. After a couple of iterations it could become quite precise.

If instead you walk also outdoor it's a little bit more tricky because naturally strides on treadmill are different than outdoor so you would need to remember to set the right stride before starting your walk.

[Rick1419]

I just got a new Versa  4 and tried it for first time on the treadmill. For context, I’ve had many other fitbits over the past 10 years, including Versa3.

I did not hold on to the bars and ran normally for 3 miles, but the versa only picked up .67. 

imterestingly, I walked for 2 miles afterwards and that was recorded properly on the versa.

any suggestions? If not, I’m going back to versa 3 

[kv2006]

treadmills and swimming were recorded correctly till Dec 23. After holidays no records: use same machine and pool