Allow us to choose between "Active minutes" or "Active zone minutes"

[ophelialnc]

Please include a data field for real time active minutes, an essential metric you took away to replace with Active Zone Minutes or be able to choose which I want to see. I had to return my Charge 4 because it was missing this info. I just need a field that tells me how many total real minutes in a day I spent in active heart range. I cannot use active zone minutes in the same way.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[GarryP]

Yes, I would definitely like the opportunity to choose between Active Minutes and Zone minutes. We are more interested in tracking our activity rather than how long we have been in "the Zone"

[sallyguitar]

I've used FitBit since 2016 and had come to appreciate the "celebration" after 45 active minutes--"active" as *I* defined them, 45 minutes as *I* specified. Now the thing sets off the celebration after 22 minutes of I-don't-know-what, usually not long after I get up in the morning--a far cry from the peak-zone minutes that lower my resting heart rate. This is yet another mild electronic distraction, worse than useless. Ditto for the 150 weekly "active zone" minutes, which I frequently "achieve" on the first day of the week. And I can't change any of this????

Please allow me to set the "celebration" for active minutes as defined by me, as I used to be able to do.

[hill_runner]

I'm also a long-time Fitbit user (since 2015) and I recently had to upgrade to the Charge 4 after my second Charge 3 developed the same fault its predecessor had 7 months ago. Imagine my disappointment when overnight, my reliable "Active minutes" disappeared and were replaced by completely unattainable and meaningless "Active zone minutes". Any brisk walk, from the nursery run to nipping to the shops, used to give me active minutes. Now I'm lucky if I get 4-5 minutes for these walks - but somehow carrying my toddler up a flight of stairs earns me 2 minutes?! I also compared Fitbit's supposed new "zones" to my running data from my Garmin (which I use due to better metrics and GPS accuracy) and I would barely hit Fitbit's zones when out running!

I have quite a high resting heart rate due to stress and more caffeine than is good for me but as I'm generally fairly fit, my heart rates while exercising are generally lower than you'd expect by comparison.

In short, bring back Active minutes, show both or give users the choice which option they want to see!

[smytty96]

To add in to everyone else, this change to zone minutes is useless. Upgraded to Versa 3 from Charge 2.

I did a 20 mile bike ride over the Bay bridge, and got 2 active zone minutes. For an hour+ ride in mild headwinds.  Very disheartened to also lose over two years data from my Charge of active minutes. 

[OldPapaMike]

This morning I started receiving the message that an update is available for my Versa 1. The last update took away active minutes. I still use active minutes as they are still displayed on my selected watch face and I can check them online. Will this update take them away completely or take away another useful feature? Where are the release notes for this update other than "Improvements"?

[Lionheart1204]

I'd like to know the same before I make this update. The last one didn't
fair well.

[Chriszee]

I did the update hoping that Fitbit finally got on their horse and gave us the option to chose active or zone minutes but it didnt change either. I can still see active minutes on my watch and only zone on the app. Im just going to stop using the app. Its just frustrating!

[melani6]

Hi there

Thanks for your comment.

I updated my phone in the hope that Fitbit had been listening to our
concern re the loss of active minutes. Unfortunately they have not
returned. I’m not sure what else has changed in the update!

Melanie

[OldPapaMike]

Yesterday I did the android app update and now my versa will not sync. They released a buggy app update that killed the sync on android phones. I dug our my old Blaze that looks like it's been through a war and so far it is able to sync.

[Snunn30]

I know this has been suggested previously. I just updated my versa 2 without knowing that this would remove the regular active minute feature and replace it with zones. Is there any news on if or when active minutes will be put back on effected devices?

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @Snunn30, thanks for explaining why you would like to have the option to choose between "Active minutes" or "Active zone minutes". Thanks for sharing your feedback. I've moved it into a similar request.  A lot of users are asking for this option, I hope we receive updates soon.

[Bernielove08]

I cannot stand the update to “zone” minutes. None of my lifting workouts count now. Walking doesn’t even count. 😫 Please change it back to active minutes. What’s the point of a fitness watch if it doesn’t even count all exercise?!

[Rich_Laue]

Hi @Bernielove08 I would have added to the existing suggestion   that your search brought up. 

[tjperry]

As some others have stated, there are clock faces that show your Active Minutes. Our devices are still capable of calculating Active Minutes like normal, but the app widget for Active Minutes has been removed. I'm not sure who's idea this was but it is in no way user-friendly and it has clearly led to heap of confusion. I don't believe they will switch over completely because there is no way to tell someone they are not active just because their HR doesn't enter the specific zone they set. Our HRs spike for numerous other reasons such as being scared, nervous or stressed. Plus, there are still devices that don't have this feature and most likely won't be incorporating it. The zone minutes concept is great for those who tend to do a  higher level of cardio. Things like weightlifting and yoga will never be consistently categorized into a HR zone, so the option to see both types of minutes would be ideal. The main issue here is the app. Once they bring back the toggle for active minutes or include the total somewhere in the app, it should limit the confusion. I would also like to suggest adding Active Minutes to the main screen of the web dashboard.

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @Bernielove08, thanks for explaining why you would like to have the option to choose between "Active minutes" or "Active zone minutes". Thanks for sharing your feedback. I've moved it into a similar request.  A lot of users are asking for this option, I hope we receive updates soon.

[Jrdr15]

I have zero need for active zone minutes! I go to the gym 4-6 days a week and play soccer 4-6 days a week on top of that. I am extremely active and constantly looking at my stats. I want to know my active minutes minute for minute like we had before. I am extremely disappointed that this was taken away without warning and we are not given the option to choose. This is a basic function of health tracking. My husband and I both have fitbits and all 5 of our children! 2 of them even upgraded with their own money to get one with GPS and are both (teenagers) upset over the new change as well. I get why you have your calculations, but it's going to make people lazier in my opinion. One of my daughters already said "well I met my goal fast today. I'm not going to do the next part of my workout." This is the opposite of what any of us in the fitness community want! I'm seriously considering switching us all over to new devices if this change is not made. I gave it a fair chance and it's useless. I'm now having to calculate my own active minutes... with as much cardio as I do with soccer I don't want to look at my watch and see 180 minutes when I only played for 120. 

And to wait until you have enough "votes" to switch back and make a change is poor service. This is a major change that should have been beta tested and customers should always have a choice on this! It's a major stat. Zone minutes and active minutes are 2 completely different calculations. Keep zone minutes if you want, but give us our total active minutes back too!

[Phoenix211]

I completely agree with Jrdr15, this needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.  This thread has been actively open for too long.  I've been a big fan of Fitbit to this point and have promoted their products with my friends and family.  I've stopped doing that as I'm considering moving to a different device; especially after seeing what Fitbit Premium has to offer.  Very disappointed!!

[kithurston]

We also need a way to opt for standard zones versus HRR.

[Rich_Laue]

@kithurston instead of trying to hijack a thread. You should have made your post a desperate feature request. 

[RainbowFan]

I am a cancer survivor who is dealing with a variety of issues with my joints and healing from surgeries that make exercise a challenge so I view every minute walked as a win. When I don’t get credit for them because I wasn’t in the zone, it makes me feel bad and reduces motivation. I see how that option would be useful for some but it would be nice if users had the option of choosing which version they wanted to track. People are starting in different places. Meet and support them where they are. Thanks!

[Ellieghoward]

I recently updated my Fitbit Versa 2 with the most up to date software. It is now running on the version 72.1.9. This update included "zone minutes" and got rid of active minutes. Please bring back active minutes! It has completely changed the way I use my device in a negative way.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @Ellieghoward, thanks for sharing this suggestion about being able to track your Active Minutes instead of the Active Zone Minutes with us. This idea was already requested in the Feature Suggestions board, so I’ve moved your post here. This will help us to keep the forums organized and make sure the suggestions don't get confused, or split a popular vote. Click on the thumbs-up to show your support.

[Woopsdz]

Not giving us the option is the most frustrating thing. I went on a 25+ minute walk with my kids today. I got 1 zone minute. I assume if this doesn't get rectified soon, Fitbits going to have a lot of people jump ship. And I've been a longtime user and even recommend it to my friends and family. Won't be doing that anymore unless this gets rectified. 

[NickyN]

I totally agree. Unfortunately Fitbit have misunderstood and misapplied the WOrld Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. The heart zone minutes are a ‘weekly’ goal and it is NOT appropriate to use them as a daily goal. The guidelines are currently only applicable to healthy adults who DO NOT have a medical or physical condition affecting their mobility. The guidelines did NOT say you should stop using the ‘actual exercise minutes’ that we used to have - indeed the reverse is true; WHO says that if you cannot achieve the recommended weekly goal, you should work your way there in the following stages 1) increase the time spent exercising, then 2) increase the frequency, lastly increase the intensity. I agree it is thoroughly demoralising to walk for an hour and only get 2-3 mins heart zone minutes. We need to have real time active minutes back.

Sent from Nicky's iPhone

[Sarajane133]

After relying heavily on my Versa 2 as an exercise companion last summer, I was nearly brought to tears in my latest workouts when I could not reach cardio or peak despite my manual heart rate checks and overall energy levels saying much differently. In fact, my Fitbit hardly ever gets me out of the “below zones” category despite my active lifestyle. Very, very frustrating after having so much success with Fitbit last year. The change to active zones is beyond disappointing and it is likely going to cause me to shop elsewhere for watches.