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.

[bwbmom]

Agree. Same problem pushing grocery cart, walking & holding hands etc

[swampmilkweed]

I've seen discussion of this on the help forum. I love my Alta, but I  have to remember to take it off my wrist and put it in a pocket every time I push a grocery cart at Publix, Target, Walmart, etc. The Ionic looks really nice, but it is large. I don't think it will fit in the pocket of a woman's pants as the Alta does. If you would allow the user to turn off damping while pushing a cart, this would solve the problem of no step count with hands on the cart. I might upgrade to the Ionic, but only if I can have this feature.

[jtlapp]

This feature also helps me. I have an injury complex that prevents me from sitting. I've spent years going through the day either lying down or standing.

I read books while standing and walking around. The FitBit does not register the miles I walk reading a book that I hold in front of my face while pacing around the house.

I'd love to be able to easily turn this feature on and off. Automatic detection would be nicer, if that's possible.

[swampmilkweed]

I am surprised about the book. I often get a lemonade while walking in
the mall. I have tested whether or not steps are counted if I hold the
drink in my left hand. The steps do get counted and seem to be accurate.
For me the only thing that makes steps not count is when my left hand is
on the shopping buggy at Target or Publix. I am so sorry your book
messes with your Fitbit! You could put the Fitbit in your pocket if you
have a pocket. That is what I do when using a shopping cart.


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[jtlapp]

I'll try that, thank you. I hold the book with both hands, steadily in front of me, so it's probably just like pushing a cart or a baby carriage.

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[Rich_Laue]

Fitbit doesn't have any dampining to turn off. The cart your holding onto prohibits the arm from moving naturally and causes the dampening.

Some people while walking and reading a book move their arm up and down slightly to stabilize the book as the body naturaly bobs up/down. Yes if this is the case book walking will miss some steps, or all.

A side note, it is claimed that some ameeican  indians could walk across a bed of dry leaves and not be heard.

[LizFitbit]

Hi @fudge22 and commenters - I wanted to share a development which impacts this particular suggestion. Our team has been working on an improved algorithm, which has been launched in our newest device, Ionic. This development should see greater accuracy and reduced erroneous step counts during activities where arm movements are different, like pushing a stroller or shopping cart, driving etc.

Thanks for this suggestion and helping make Fitbit better.

[Cvb09]

Wait, so is the suggestion to purchase a new Fitbit?? Seriously?

Sent from my iPhone

[SunsetRunner]

That's the answer buy another device??? As we could of all already done that and shopped elsewhere. So thanks but no thanks for being loyal customers, seriously!

[Sdesmond]

I don't think you can manually add steps to your count. I've tried. The
only way to add steps is to hold your fitbit in your hand and move it up
and down.

[chrissy1987]

Looking at this it doesn't actually say the pram steps will get recorded just that the gps is better. But if the steps are taken by Arm movement we will be in the same situation


Sent from my iPhone

[Tigger84]

But can this be applied to fitbits people already have through an update as
I only got mine in June for my birthday and I can't buy another one I feel
other people may be the same.

[Tigger84]

It's wrong I'm not in a position to buy another one and I don't want to as
I only got mine in June for my birthday

[chrissy1987]

I don't no at all! I have only just got one so I wouldn't be buying another one!! My point is how can we be certain it will count our steps if we were able to buy a new one! An app on original Fitbit would be ideal

Sent from my iPhone

[Spryte88]

I have resigned to just strapping it around my ankle when I'm out with the stroller lol. I was pleasantly surprised that it still picked up my HR & stats all looked generally in-line with my averages. It's kind of a bummer not being able to see steps, time, & HR in real-time, but I'm not buying two Fitbits.

[Spryte88]

Tigger84 - Exactly! I just bought mine a few months ago. I bought one out of NEED, while buying another would be a WANT. Kudos to the mod for being a good salesperson, I see her point - but lol.

[Kellyim]

First of all, I don't really want to have to buy another fitbit. It's a shame that in the literal years since fitbit introduced a wrist unit that it took this long to possibly fix the stroller/shopping cart/holding something in your arms problem. That seems like something that should have been worked out before bringing a wrist unit to market, and definitely before the Alta, Charge, Charge 2, Alta HR...  If I had known about this flaw, I never would have purchased the Alta because I walk a lot with the baby. And it doesn't sound like it's definitely fixed with the Ionic, but maybe it is. Maybe.

Second, is there any way to update the OS, such as it is, on existing fitbits like someone mentioned above? Or is this a problem with the design too that can't be fixed with a software update?

[Craigside]

Why not simply fit it on your ankle? it's easy, simple, and it works.

Obviously you can't really see the display whilst wearing on your ankle but at least it's doing it's job, and I find it accurate on steps, heart rate, etc. Also, I've seen low price ankle straps and strap extensions for ankle use on eBay.

I agree with the sensible ideas/requests for more program variations, but personally I would be very surprised if Fitbit actually accommodated these requests.

[Gogozette]

Honestly, I'm not buying a new fitbit and moreover I'm not even sure I'll buy any other in the future given the lack of real answers we got on this topic. I'm not a crazy Mamma thinking that the world revolve around my new status, but suggesting to buy another one to people who just got one is simply a bad customer focus...

Now, when I walk, for some reason, sometimes, I see the exercise is tracked and recorded on the app as "Elliptical" or "in door bike" other activity... instead of changing the device, just update the software and the app and enable a "walk and push" item that would take the steps recorded as "walk" for this period of time, add a 30% steps (because that's pretty much the level of missed steps) and recalculate the calories.

This way, I can keep my fitbit on my wrist and get the clock, the messages, the HR etc... and I would manually update the type of exercise later on for free. That is not perfect but it would be an acceptable workaround until the tracking sensitivity is resolved.

[Hippo_Rugby]

Just another thing, Fitbit rely on the fact that this issue is called stroller/pushchair and the fact that the period of time in such is limited. The other group which this impacts, which I am one is those that are pushing wheelchairs and will be doing so for the foreseeable future. By the end of the year I will be on my fourth replacement due to the strap failing. Maybe Fitbit might want to cut their losses and give me one that works! 

[Craigside]

Even when selecting 'eliptical training' the fitbit doesn't count all the steps!

No surprise fitbot are suggesting above that people should upgrade to the new ionic...  I don't want an ionic, or an applewatch, I'm happy with my blaze but I do wish they would update/tweak the program to work properly on eliptical trainer - its the only fault that I can find...

[chrissy1987]

It doesn't record heart rate if you do or u can't look at it while working out

Sent from my iPhone

[ElleBee60]

So the solution to this problem is to go and buy another Fitbit? Seriously? 

I just got this this summer. After years of wearing an Ultra or a One, which tracked my steps perfectly, you now say whatever worked fine in those models can't be applied to this model? That is really not good enough, and you need to keep working on it.

[Tigger84]

I couldn't agree more

[SunsetRunner]

Please stop with the suggestions to strap your Fitbit to your ankle.  Maybe a few people can do that, but my ankles are easily twice the circumference as my wrists.  I already use an XL band for my wrist, so I'd have to tape the thing around my ankles. I have to believe a LOT of people are in the same boat.