Ankle mode

[Dyann18]

Please make one u wear on ankle then u would get all the steps. When u are in a store with carts such as grocery, target etc it won't record all the walking one is doing with a cart. I have to try and push with one hand!! They can have pretty but functionally ankle devices some can be practically for a guy and pretty like an ankle bracelet for a women!!! Please develop this!! Soon!!

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity

[CynC123]

Nope, it isn't uncomfortable at all. I find it much more comfortable than on my wrist actually. I've attached it using a corded ponytail elastic. This allows it to stretch to go on & off easily & also allows me to slide the elastic tighter or looser to achieve comfort. I don't wear it super tight around my ankle, so most of the time I forget it is even there. It doesn't get in the way of any sandals or sneakers I wear so I haven't had any difficulty with shoes.

[Psychogiggle]

I agree with CynC123. I love wearing it on my ankle! I really don't notice it at all. I use the XL Charge HR so it buckles on for me. I wear mine a little snug so that it can track my heart rate, but not too tight so that it's uncomfortable. It's high enough that I can wear it with any shoes. It is not super cute or fashionable. It looks a bit like I'm on house arrest. Which is why I would like for Fitbit to come out with a fashionable slimmer version that is specifically made for the ankle. It is definitely much more accurate.

[ISO1]

I've been wearing mine on my ankle for a few days now. I thought it would
be uncomfortable, but it's less bothersome than my wrist actually! I've
been wearing socks, just putting it in there, for now.

Last night as I was walking, I forgot my FitBit was on my ankle, also never
used to getting to my goal, so I wasn't prepared to hit it. When I hit my
goal, the band vibrated....I thought I was picking up an electric fence in
the yard I was in front of. LOL!

As for retrofitting for my ankle, this is my plan. 😊
I'm going to use a broken fitbit to see if I can figure a way to make it
less like a prison tracking device. I plan on possibly cutting the band,
and attaching something that will hopefully make it look more like an ankle
bracelet. Maybe even cover the display, so it's not as noticeable.

Has anyone else figured something out yet? Please share, if you have!
Thanks!

[CynC123]

Haha ISO1, yep it will take a little getting used to but it works well! I did try cutting a spare band on my old Flex model, but that didn't attach well & didn't feel secure. 

This is what I did to my old Charge.

This is what I have on my Alta now.

Both work well & are adjustable, but it just aren't pretty. The thickness of the original rubber band adds to the "prison tracking device" look. 🙂

[DonnaR98]

I used a piece from a broken band and an xl band with 2 Bit Belts to make it wearable on my ankle.

[ISO1]

GREAT job on those retrofits! ☺
Yesterday I tried using a hair tie. After some playing around, I got it figured out.

Gonna mess around some more.

[Psychogiggle]

This is how I make my Charge HR fit on my ankle.  The XL size does fit, but for those that do not have an XL, this is what I do with my large size one.  (And honestly I do like it better as it is more stretchy, it just doesn't look as nice as the XL when it is buckled.) Obviously a slimmer, less like a house arrest cuff, version would be so much better!  I have compared the data with the Fitbit on my arm and on my ankle and it is just so much more accurate on my ankle that I will not be putting it back on my arm again.  I do miss being able to see the time easily on my wrist, but like I said in a previous post, perhaps they could make an ankle version that syncs with a wrist one so that you get the accuracy of the steps on your ankle and the convenience of the watch on your wrist?  Even if it was a clip that went on your shoe?  I think perhaps I will just get the clip on style in the future and keep it on my shoe.  Then I will go buy a nice watch and be done with this.

[DonnaR98]

Here is how I rigged mine
Sent from my iPad

[Mindy17]

Yes, please! I modified my Charge HR to fit my ankle, and it's been working out SO MUCH BETTER. I just hate wearing braclets, and with grocery shopping, strollers, and carrying my son around, wearing the band on my wrist wasn't nearly as accurate. Love the idea of having different vibrations for calls, alarms, goals, etc. so you don't have to check the screen to see what is happening.

I would love to have a skinnier elastic-type band that is stylish with shorts and sandals.  

[dancemotion]

This would be really helpful for me because I bought my fitbit at the begining of the summer before I started my summer job and at my job I later found out that they require you to not wear any jelwery or watches while you are on the floor. Because of that I have to go 10 to 12 hours a day not whearing it and it throws off my step count by alot. I did the math and i would have well over 10,000 steps at work insted of the like 4000 i get a day. I would try the hair band trick but im affraid it would snap or fall off while im working. 

[FuzzyDuckling]

I would love this! I'm really only interested in using mine for keeping active, not for call notification and such. An ankle fit bit would be great, bare bones display, rugged, and comfortable. Current fitbit devices all seem to be designed for people who never have to clean the house, get in the garden dirt, or work with their hands in general.

[Wellmead]

I would also really love an ankle fit bit.. I work in an industry where I can't wear anything on my wrist, so have to use my ankle.. Been wearing fitbit one in the wrist sleep bracelet on the ankle, but unfortunately lost it today as running in overgrown terrain. So now need to buy a new alternative. Any ideas??

[CynC123]

Wellmead, I've had a Flex, Charge, & Alta. I've worn all on both my wrist & ankle at one time or another. I'm currently using the Alta as it is my newest. I wanted it specifically because it was so slim. However, I think I might be changing back to my Charge. I've had it for under a month & already the band has broke, the face is scratched up, & I don't love that it doesn't count floors. I'm disappointed with it. The Charge held up really well on my ankle & tracked everything including floors. It is bigger, but I guess that's what i'm going to have to deal with until Fitbit decides to release a model for ankle wear.

[Fractious]

I've been struggling with getting an accurate count with my Charge HR. If the replacement device doesn't fix the problem, I may try wearing it this way to see if that's better.

If Fitbit didn't want to design an entire new line of devices for ankle wear, maybe they could design an extension band with a buckle on one end and the holes on the other so people didn't have to come up with their own fixes. 

[mantababe]

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/260710510/fitbit-surge-extension-fitbit-surge?ref=related-4

this looks a great idea

[NeneLoco]

@CynC123 - I have the Blaze and there are so many after market wrist bands on Amazon, I'm sure you could find something that would fit your ankle comfortably. It also turns on with a flick of the wrist and you can see your notification without touching the screen. Also, wouldn't the fitbit one do what you want with the exception of notifications? Can you have more than one device sync to the app? If so, you could switch out the fitbit one when you run and put your HR back on when you're done. Just food for thought.

[Wellmead]

Hi All,

Thanks for comments - I am looking at either the Charge or another one again - maybe both as my device can sync more than one. 

I do like the extension on Etsy - but actually my ankles are quite small so not sure it will be an issue.

[Dhauser]

One designed specifically to wear on your ankle would be great!  I'm currently wearing my fitbit one in my sock.  I have an apple watch on my wrist for notifications (because the Alta notifications were junk).  If there was an ankle fitbit that didnt make me look like a convict I would buy it immediately!

[Laurenypop]

I'd love to get my dad a fitbit but he has a traditional watch ..so no point getting him one!!! An ankle one would solve the problem. He would love to track his steps so I'd love to see an idea where someone can still wear their traditional watch. Being 50 he isn't likely to change his ways!!!

[CynC123]

@NeneLoco, yes you can have more than 1 device sync to the app but I tried it & it drains the battery a lot faster from more syncing. Not ideal. The Charge doesn't have detachable bands, so I can't buy anything different there. I could with the Alta, but the notifications & the fact it doesn't track floors is frustrating so that doesn't help either. The Alta doesn't turn with a flick of the wrist, you have to hit it...sometimes multiple times. It would be much easier & attractive to have a slim device that fits around an ankle that tracks everything & provides notifications. Most of Fitbit's devices have these features in 1 shape or another (minus the small form factor), I'd just love it if they put it all together into 1 device! 🙂

[NeneLoco]

@CynC123 - Are you kidding, if they put all the features in 1 device then it would mean someone at fitbit is thinking logical and they wouldn't be able to make you waste money by buying several devices. Perhaps its time to jump off the fitbit train and go with a competitor. The Pebble Time 2 is due out in Nov. and it now comes with HR monitor. That was the only thing it was missing and the only reason I went with the Blaze. It has every feature of any fitbit and then some.

[C2C]

Jaydebeth's suggestion is a good one.  

My Surge is very inaccurate on both my elliptical and treadmill.  Please consider designing an ankle device (accelerometer) that can override the wrist device.  You then choose from impact, cyclic, or sweep detection so that accurate counts can be sent to the wrist.

[Fractious]

Mantababe posted the link above and I actually ordered an extension from Etsy; Here is the link again

:https://www.etsy.com/listing/258166153/charge-hr-fitbit-extension-fitbit-charge?ga_order=most_relev...

I had a little bit of difficulty getting it on to my Charge HR but it fits tightly enough that I'm really not too worried about it coming apart. 

It does look a little like I'm on house arrest like some others have commented. However, I see that there are band covers available on Amazon so I may try something like that next if I find I like wearing it on my ankle.

[SunsetRunner]

I've worn my flex on my ankle for over a year and love it! I've had a much more accurate count for steps this way. I fully plan to continue doing so but love the idea of a fitbit that I can wear without getting weird looks...as if people think I'm on house arrest or something with it around my ankle and little dots flashing. 

[Cathy1212]

I understand that..I put mine either on my flipflop or in a headband..wish I just had a band for my ankle would be great.


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