Stroller Mode

[fudge22]

Many fitbit users push strollers and face the issue of steps not being tracked while pushing a stroller. What if fitbit created a stroller mode, which used a different step-tracking algorithm designed to mimic arm movements while pushing strollers or carts? If possible it can also detect steps with the current algorithm as well. This improved algorithm will be able to track the subtle up and down movement of the watch while pushing a stroller. 

This may require a lot of research, but if it isn't too difficult to adjust the step tracking algorithm, this could definitely be a possibility. 

Moderator Edit: Updated title for clarity & labels.

[PiperBB]

I would like to have the option of "adding weight" so my calories burned increases as I push more weight with my kids in the stroller. This could also be useful for people who add free weights when running. 

[bmuhler]

I find that when I take a walk and push a stroller the Fitbit inaccurately records my steps. I have the Fitbit one that I wear on my ankle when I walk and push the stroller and I also have the Fitbit 2 Charge and I notice that the two do not match up. My Fitbit Charge is about 2,000 steps less every time.

[CourtneyC.]

I agree there needs to be a stroller or shopping cart mode. When I push my daughter in her stroller or when I am grocery shopping my steps do not get recorded on my Alta. I am very competitive in my challenges so I like to get every step possible 🙂

[Salma-k]

I've have an Alta HR and it records my activity as outdoor bike when I push a stroller, I have a very young baby and therefore always have the stroller with me, and would please really like this recorded accurately if possible. If there is an activity for mowing the lawn, could one be added for a stroller? 

[Newmum44]

I bought a Fitbit Charge as I wanted the GPS feature as I am now walking with a pram so not swinging my arms to register steps. Problem... the Fitbit thinks I’m riding a bike due to my hand position and doesn’t register steps. If I want to use track exercise I have to wear my Fitbit at my hip or around my ankle to register steps. Can you add a walking with pram option so I can measure my step count while walking?

[akkin]

Current fitbit wrist trackers do not track activity when you are holding a cart or jogging with a stroller or working on a treadmill desk.

Alternative suggested in many communities is put your tracker in your pocket. But when you put your tracker in the pocket you are loosing the tracking of valuable heart rate metric. Sometime the HR sensor tracks hear rate from your pocket due to the LED and provides in accurate results.

I have a suggestion for solving this issue. Make Fitbit modular. Design fitbit in a way that you can pop different sensors. For example when you doing above mentioned activities you pop the motion sensor into your pocket and continue to wear the heart rate sensor to your wrist. Once you are done with your activity you just pop the motion sensor into the device again.

The issue definitely is loosing a mod, but you would leave that issue to the user.

Hope to see such device in future.

[TeigrPrincess]

I'm currently 8 months pregnant and have been getting the majority of my steps from taking my preschooler to nursery - if everything I've read about in the forum is correct, that's going to stop (I have a Charge HR2) as soon as I have to put my new baby into a stroller.

I was planning on walking a lot more once the baby is born - I'm doing the Walk 1000 Miles Challenge next year - and using a stroller is going to be essential! I hope someone on the Fitbit Development team can sort this out please.

[Skatsa]

Yes!!!!!! Do this!

[CassieBanks]

The REVVL was announced in August of this year by T-Mobile.  The Fitbit app works on the phone, but because it's not approved by Fitbit, if you call customer support for a problem they won't allow you to use it to troubleshoot your tracker. 

This is a problem for me as LG put a stop in the last Android update to keep people from buying new batteries (won't recognize them any more).  Since I didn't want to root my LG G3, I just got a new one from T-Mobile, the REVVL.  The battery left in my LG G3 runs down REALLY fast so even if it's charged up to 100% I have no idea how long it will be before it simply won't turn the phone on any more.  I can't put Windows 10 on my computer - it's too old.  My REVVL and Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablet are the only other devices I can use if I have to call Customer Support and neither one of them are approved devices.  No one mentions when you buy the Fitbit that unless you have an approved device, you cannot call customer service to troubleshoot your tracker.  

Please update the device list for the Fitbit app.  Many thanks! 🙂

[Health_4me]

I have a fit bit ONE and like it a lot, but wish it would have HR and when changes were made to Dashboard, we could no longer see detailed info. It's blocky and doesn't give a clear idea on sleep like the fit bit Alta HR BAND device does. However, when I went to order one I asked specifically if I had to swing my arms to get device to count my steps. I was told "NO, it vibrates every time you take a step and registers on your Alta HR device." Then I read review saying  you DO have to swing your arms..... SO here is my suggestion. Any one can get steps by blow drying hair, waving, talking using your hands etc. But never take a step. The elderly who need walkers, canes, grocery carts for safety, new mom's who use strollers, or grandparents who use them, Don't Swing Their arms because they are holding on to something for stability. So the fitbit Band versions do not count their steps. This to me discourages the elderly to even buy a fitbit, let along learn how much they are walking. Because even if they are, it doesn't show. Please make All devices from fitbit work by walking whether you are holding on to a walker, cane, grocery cart, stroller, etc... because we are still moving the best we can and would like to see our results. Swinging arms to count steps seems a bit useless, if when you are blow drying your hair standing in one spot you get steps, but walking around a grocery store, or park with a walker, you get none.  I am elderly and  ordered a Altra HR. but cancelled when I found out it would do me no good unless I could swing my arms.. Hope you will consider this in the future and find a way for the millions of elderly people to get healthier by walking, and being encouraged by the steps the "see" they've taken. Thank you

[Lindsbeth]

I have been using Fitbit for a year and do a lot of different types of walking. I find the category in the app lacking though, as most of my walking is pushing a pram which apps like map my run allow you to choose. This is important to me because of course your body is using more energy etc pushing a pram so would be reflected differently in output. The automatic tracker detects it as outdoor cycling but this is not terribly accurate either. Is this something that can be added to make the app more robust? 

Moderator Edit: Added Labels

[Bazzacrynch]

Any update to this? Seems crazy that steps are constantly missing when pushing a pushchair

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@fudge22 wrote:

Many fitbit users push strollers and face the issue of steps not being tracked while pushing a stroller. What if fitbit created a stroller mode, which used a different step-tracking algorithm designed to mimic arm movements while pushing strollers or carts? If possible it can also detect steps with the current algorithm as well. This improved algorithm will be able to track the subtle up and down movement of the watch while pushing a stroller. 

This may require a lot of research, but if it isn't too difficult to adjust the step tracking algorithm, this could definitely be a possibility. 

Moderator Edit: Updated title for clarity & labels.

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[Khmckay]

Yes is there any update? I've seen ionic users say they are still having this issue? I was thinking of upgrading from my surge but now I'm unsure... 

[Kerryb1982]

What’s three latest with this now?? Does it count the steps? 

[Kerryb1982]

Has it got this mode yet? 

[SunsetRunner]

No they haven't changed anything to accommodate this



Sent from my Samsung device

[LanceofSydney]

I have the same request for a Pram Walking or Running feature. I own the Ionic, HR2 and HR1. I am pairing my Fitbit app with MyFitnessPal to combine Calorie intake and Calorie output. The two work well together, so great work Fitbit! However, the Calorie expenditure of energy out when straped to ankle.is way too high.

The heart rate can spike for long periods to around 200bpm which is impossible for me. Also as it is on my ankle and not my wrist, the movement is much more violent, again it is as though I'm sprinting when I am walking briskly. The whole calorie count is about 60% exaggerated.

Having babies is a part of life, more so than many of the multitude of sporting activities available. The fitness pram industry is huge, with walkers for single babies to serious running prams made for multiple babies.

Please consider.

Thank you. Love the product.

Over the past 3 years, in addition to the 3 models I bought myself, I have bought another 6 as gifts to loved ones.

Pram Features Please.

[Stylesstorm]

Please do this feature! I have a twin buggy so pushing it 1 handed and letting my other arm.swing free is not an option

[EdsonFitbit]

@Lindsbeth Thanks for your request. In order to keep the Community more organized, I've merged your post to an existing suggestion. The current status is reviewed by moderator. Please check out the first post of the page 1.

Thanks for helping us to improve the Fitbit experience.

[YojanaFitbit]

testing....

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[Rich_Laue]

Since the fam ping comedcfrom holding on to the cart/pusher imI'not sure if there is a way to turn it of without removing the hand from the cart. 

If it is any help, a quick search will show that every atm based tracker on the market has this problem. 

Hopefully Fitbit will be able to developer some magic to get around this. There have been several updates in the past that have surprised users .

[jadavis09]

stroller and shopping cart! that needs to be a feature added ASAP!!!!!! so many steps are lost!

[swampmilkweed]

I have pretty much trained myself to put my Alta in a pocket or loop it
around a belt loop when I go in a grocery store. This is the best work
around we are likely to get.

[Nic112540]

I totally agree. 

[JLMD]

I now have a Versa and still find that my steps are very inaccurate when I’m pushing a stroller.  A specific exercise setting with a different algorithm could possibly address this.