Bring back the Fitbit Web Dashboard

It would be nice to have a Fitbit dashboard app for PC. I'm a senior and it is hard to read the dashboard on my phone.

Moderator edit: Clarified subject and updated label
154 Comments
Nawfal
First Steps

The decision to remove the desktop dashboard has been such a letdown. It was one of the best features, making it so easy to see all my data in one place on a bigger screen. Now I’m stuck squinting at my phone, and it just doesn’t compare. Why take away something so useful? I really hope they listen to the community and bring it back.

mnjclark
Recovery Runner

Chiming in here - yep, we need the web app back.  I haven't used my fitbit for a while and now I'm getting back into fitness and watching my steps and sleep....and now the desktop app is missing.  What a slap in the face.  As others have said, the desktop is much bigger and easier to see and literally right in front of you all day when you work at a desktop.  Some of us don't have our phones glued to our faces.

marycappy18
Jogger

I have had a fitbit since about 2010. I always loved the accessibility through desktop dashboard. I am to add find my phone to my versa 4 and am struggling to find anything on the app that allows me to change or add apps. So frustrating! 

My next watch will not be a fitbit!  Any recommendations on other brands that work with android?

VanMac1253
Recovery Runner

How do I remove different statistics from my home screen?  Out of the blue, a new metric called "Cardio Load", now appears at the top.  I have no idea what it is, so I'd like to remove it from my home screen. Same for "daily readiness". Why do they introduce new metrics without explanation?  What do the numbers represent?  Is a cardio load of 58 good or bad?  What is the best number available?  Fitbit has the email address of every user, so it seems like it would be easy to send an introductory email explaining what the new metric is, but also allowing a way to remove it if it doesn't interest you. 

DRBrewer
Stepping Up
Fitbit's Cardio Load is a metric that quantifies the cumulative strain on
your cardiovascular system from daily activities and exercise. It considers
both the duration and intensity of your efforts, assigning higher values to
more strenuous activities. This measurement helps you monitor your training
load, optimize performance, and reduce the risk of overtraining or
undertraining.

The Target Load feature provides a personalized range for your daily Cardio
Load, tailored to your fitness level, recent activity, and recovery status.
By comparing your recent Cardio Load with longer-term averages, it offers
guidance on whether to maintain or adjust your activity levels to achieve
your fitness goals safely.

These features are available on various Fitbit devices, including the Pixel
Watch series, Charge 6, and others. You can view your Cardio Load and
Target Load metrics directly on your device or through the Fitbit app under
the "Activity" section.

By regularly monitoring these metrics, you can make informed decisions
about your training intensity and recovery, promoting a balanced and
effective fitness regimen.
VanMac1253
Recovery Runner
But what is the range? How do we how or if we need to improve if there's
only a random number provided? Making informed decisions has to be based
on something.
DRBrewer
Stepping Up
Here you go:

Understanding Cardio Load Numbers:

Higher Cardio Load Values: Indicate more strenuous activities or prolonged
exercise sessions, reflecting greater cardiovascular strain.

Lower Cardio Load Values: Correspond to lighter activities or shorter
durations, indicating less strain on the cardiovascular system.
VanMac1253
Recovery Runner
What is a “high” number? What is the range (0-100)? A number without any information is useless. How is it derived? Why roll out this metric without explanation?
Sent from my iPhone
DRBrewer
Stepping Up
Fitbit's *Cardio Load* is a metric that quantifies the cumulative strain on
your cardiovascular system from daily activities and exercise. It helps
users understand their training intensity and manage recovery to optimize
fitness levels. Let's address your specific questions:

*1. What is a "high" number?*

Fitbit does not specify a universal threshold for a "high" Cardio Load, as
it is personalized based on individual fitness levels, recent activity, and
recovery status. Generally, a higher Cardio Load indicates more intense or
prolonged cardiovascular exertion. However, what is considered "high"
varies per person. Fitbit provides a Target Load, a personalized range
suggesting optimal Cardio Load based on your recent activity and recovery
to assist users. This helps you understand whether your current Cardio Load
is within a beneficial range or if adjustments are needed.
Google Support
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*2. What is the range (0-100)?*

Fitbit's Cardio Load is not confined to a 0-100 scale. Instead, a
cumulative score increases with physical activity, particularly with higher
intensity and extended duration exercises. The score is dynamic and
personalized, reflecting your cardiovascular exertion over time. The
absence of a fixed scale means focusing on how your current Cardio Load
compares to your personalized Target Load rather than fitting into a
universal range.
Google Support
<>

*3. How is it derived?*

The Cardio Load metric is based on a modified version of Banister’s
TRaining IMPulse (TRIMP) model, which quantifies training load by assigning
greater weight to higher-intensity activities. Fitbit calculates this by
continuously monitoring your heart rate throughout the day, considering the
duration and intensity of your activities. Longer and more strenuous
activities contribute to a higher Cardio Load, as they place greater
demands on your cardiovascular system.
Fitbit Community
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*4. Why roll out this metric without explanation?*

Fitbit has explained the Cardio Load metric within their app and support
resources. However, the depth of these explanations may only partially
satisfy all users' curiosity or need for detailed information. Introducing
Cardio Load aims to offer users a more nuanced understanding of their
cardiovascular exertion and recovery needs. Fitbit's official support pages
and community forums can provide additional insights for those seeking more
detailed information.
Google Support
<>

*Additional Considerations:*

-

*Personalization:* Cardio Load is tailored to your fitness level and
recent activity, making it a more relevant metric for managing your
training and recovery.
-

*Integration with Other Metrics:* It works alongside other Fitbit
metrics, such as Daily Readiness Score and Active Zone Minutes, to provide
a comprehensive view of your fitness and recovery status.
-

*Avoiding Overtraining:* By monitoring your Cardio Load and comparing it
to your Target Load, you can make informed decisions to prevent
overtraining and promote optimal recovery (from ChatGPT).
parkca
Jogger

I totally agree with this user.  The dashboard on the laptop is (was) a much better way to view, track and analyze your progression towards your personal goals.  Bring it back.  One day it was there, the next it was gone.  Did anyone survey the actual users before this was changed?  I was never asked I know that.

martinasea
First Steps

I'm a new Fitbit owner who thought it must be some kind of mistake (user error) that I couldn't navigate to my stats on the web. Looking for that led me to this thread... Unfortunately looks like Google is screwing up yet another product in their zeal to try everything, break it, and discard. There should be a big red flag on new FB purchases, since I would definitely have tried a different product (and will, now, anyway).

No way am I going to enter on the phone all of the details I want to track. I can use the laptop so much more easily and have to find reading glasses even to check basics on the phone. I don't use my phone for this kind of junk and I am a data person, so this is non-negotiable for me.

Hoping some folks get on this thread and make recommendations of other devices & products that are more user friendly. Thanks, all! (Except no thanks to google)

SPCO
Recovery Runner

I have not tried to look at my dashboard for a while but now cannot find it. I recently wanted to look at the map of a recent walk. This used to be able to be seen on my app which was useful to note the route and the speed and heart rate for the walk. 

If I clink on the dashboard link on the weekly stats email I am sent to the shop and cannot see how I can reach my account to look for the dashboard. 

I think everything has gone backwards since Google bought Fitbit. Are they destroying the brand so that we all change to their Pixel watches?

 

 

PanamaRed
First Steps

Without the laptop access, this long time customer  will be considering an Apple Watch rather than replacing with another FitBit. 

BobC4000
First Steps
Bring back the Fitbit Web Dashboard
This seems to be one more example of cost cutting without regard to the user's needs.
For multiple reasons, as stated by others, please bring back the dashboard functionality, as it was, to laptop or desktop PCs.
Seniors need BIG screens!
I'd use this: Daily
RedSauce624
Jogger

How frustrating not to be have the web-based dashboard to review and log activity on.  Please bring it back!

rkp000001
First Steps
I have tracked my progress for years. The data was useful to track my physical activity and sleep.
Now I have to try to wade through tons of google data that really tells me nothing if I can even find the comparable data. Much of it is useless to try to keep the data since there is only one entry to each file.
EskimoJoe
Jogger

Obviously they don't care about keeping dashboard app and food management on for laptop access.  Done with it.

Status changed to: Needs More Info
LizzyFitbit
Premium User
Fitbit Moderator
Fitbit Moderator

Hi @rkp000001. Thank you for sharing your Product Feedback with the Fitbit Community. We aren't sure what you mean and to understand this idea better, please reply with more detail or specifics on how this idea would work, where you'd like to see it implemented, or what problem this is trying to solve. We look forward to your response.

jng415
Jogger

Fitbit app needs to be enhanced with the same functionalities as the dashboard. Very disappointed when Google did away FitBit.com without ensuring all features were migrated to the app. 

EskimoJoe
Jogger
agree big time. So sad, much harder to det up my meals, etc... when I am
trying to put my daily eating in the app.
busymom11
First Steps

Seniors have more time, money, and motivation to stay healthy. We rely on the bigger screen! AARP Medicare offers Fitbit Premium and now it's practically useless.

SPCO
Recovery Runner
I agree. Software houses normally enhance their software with a new
release, adding new features , sometimes requested by users. Google is
doing the exact opposite. Can we have a statement of their intent and a
roadmap when this will be implemented?
rkp000001
First Steps
First, I don't even know how to get back to my post.

In reply
Fitbit had a dashboard that I could see my daily progress. In fact, I still
get emails with a link to the "dashboard" that shows me my weekly progress
in a general way - Best day, miles for the week, etc. that takes me
nowhere. I cannot find the dashboard anywhere on the page it takes me to..

I used to be able to download my daily information (walks, steps, miles,
sleep) on a monthly or custom basis. Now i guess i am scheduled for some
google download for hundreds of files that has various information, much of
which is unusable, e.g. .json files and whatever else. I used to download a
spreadsheet format file. One tab showed daily activity, another showed
daily sleep activity.
Maybe part of the problem is that there is too much information to find the
pieces of interest to me, too hard to sort through it all.

Here is the weekly email. Not really that interesting, except on a high
level. I can't go find that steps i had on a particular day. I only know
average and best day for steps, a total for miles.
Recently, i had a couple of days hiking and it would have been nice to
compare them.. Bottom line there is no detail.

[image: Fitbit]
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*WEEKLY STATS*






Hi, Rick P.!

Here are your stats for Dec. 30 - Jan. 5



*Stay Healthy*

Explore your full library of Premium resources for sleep, activity,
mindfulness, and nutrition.

[image: Explore Premium]
<>





*Best Day! 5,807 *

Tue.

Wed.

Thurs.

Fri.

Sat.

Sun.



28,186 total steps

Avg. 4,027 steps per day.

▼53,305 fewer than last week



[image: total miles]

12.18

total miles

▼ 22.60 miles below last week

[image: avg. daily calorie burn]

2,079

avg. daily calorie burn

▼ 660 cals. fewer than last week

[image: total active zone minutes]

285

total active zone minutes

▼ 445 min since last week

[image: avg. restful sleep]

5 hrs 30 min

avg. restful sleep

▼ 0 hrs 12 min lower than last week

[image: avg. hrs with 250+ steps]

3 of 9 hrs

avg. hrs with 250+ steps

▼ 3 hrs lower than last week

[image: avg. resting heart rate]

67 bpm

avg. resting heart rate

▲ 6 bpm since last week

[image: weight change]

0.0 lb

no weight change

same as previous week



[image: View Dashboard]
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Tamesis982
First Steps

Since the demise of the Fitbit.com dashboard, my actual use of Fitbit has been pretty much nil. The phone app, while is appears straightforward, is difficult to navigate. Where is my data? I can only see it a day at a time. I cannot find a way to compare data between weeks or months. The community that once motivated me to check in is gone, so no reason to open the app. The sync is faulty at best. It may or may not sync when you open the app, and good luck with the data being accurate. I can assure you, Fitbit app, that I did more than 63 steps yesterday - why did you not track them? Tracking your food is a nightmare. There used to be a "meals" option on the Fitbit.com - can't find that on the app ANYWHERE. Overall, I hate the lack of community, the lack of features, and the fact that the Fitbit.com dashboard would still be useful to many people and it was removed is the final straw. 

After dealing and working with the app for a few months and finding it too much, I've decided that moving to a different device and platform is the only resolution, as the app just does not work for me. 

 

Jack91011
Jogger

I am saddened by the loss of the FitBit dashboard.  I thought I was alone, but see so many supportive voices.  Thank you.  I also thought I must be missing something, some positive aspect of the dashboard no longer being available.  But no.  I do not see a single counterpoint in over 100 replies.  Would someone from FB care to explain how FB users theoretically benefit from this change?  (If you can’t, that’s probably a sign that we are right and you should bring it back.) 

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