Empty TCX file on export

[oeagleo]

Okay, so I have accepted that Fitbit Sense won't automagically export an activity unless the GPS is activated, (for whatever reason, I cannot fathom this).  However, in the web portal, on an activity, (Treadmill) it shows a nice heart rate graph, and the limited activity stats that Fitbit does give.  Clicking around, I see if I click on the 3 little dots I see "Export as TCX" as an option.  I do this, and open the resulting TCX file with notepad, and it's completely empty, the structure is there, but the file has no data in it.  I find it hard to believe that the GPS is the trigger to recording an exportable file, there's quite a few "indoor" activities that should be exported for continuity's sake.  Like Weights, swimming, treadmills, stair steppers, tabitha, and a few others.  Can anyone explain the thought process behind this limitation?

[t.parker]

Nobody can explain that. To be honest, the fact that Fitbit cannot export automatically to Strava anything non-GPS is a result of not having that data ready for export. I'm almost certain that the data transferred to Strava is that TCX which you can export manually from the Dashboard.

TCX as a format should contain GPS data but this rule sometimes is broken (hence some viewers are not able to display such files). Polar breaks this rule. One of the workarounds I've been doing was adding the GPS location for all the track points. Still, exporting the data without GPS coordinates is possible. Fitbit just chose not to do it.

[oeagleo]

True, that's why I'm so puzzled, is that I have imported many .TCX files into Runalyze, Strava, and Garmin Connect that have no GPS points.  My main exercise due to age, and knee problems is walking, be it in malls, treadmill, or outdoor paths when the weather permits.  To not be able to consolodate this data into a meaningful format, showing history, and improvement over time is quite annoying.  In fact, while I DO like the health aspects of the Fitbit Sense, this unfortunately is a deal breaker, and I'll be returning the Sense, and going back to my Galaxy Watch 3, and try to find another sleep tracking app that will give more meaningful data for that platform.

[N8teGee · Accepted solution]

It is actually possible to export the data in TCX format but it requires jumping through a couple of hoops. First you need to export the workout using the Fittostrava website. You will need to connect it to your Fitbit and Stava accounts (it uses Fitbit APIs) and allow it some permissions. It will then export the data to Strava where you will then be able to export/download as a TCX file.

I agree that such a limitation shouldn't exist in the first place though. 

[oeagleo]

WOW that's great.  It's cumbersome, but no more than exporting from Samsung Health, which involves exporting to Fitnessyncher, then exporting a tcx, or .fit file from there.  Thanks for this, it's opened up a whole new world.  Now I have to re-think the Fitbit vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.. LOL

[N8teGee]

No problem @oeagleo I'm glad it works for you ☺ 

[Frost890]

So what do we do when this doesn't work? The Strava site does not even seem to update with anything when you ask it to. It also does not seem to have any way to report a problem or ask any questions. Only being able to export the file in to a third party program seems to be a pretty big flaw. I mean I got the Fitbit again since I heard you could finally print out your data. Now all the reference programs seem to be discontinued or don't work. Is there any chance of an update to other file formats or even just being able to print it?

[kishorb]

You can actually get the full TCX yourself without relying on a 3rd party app or website. I've written up the steps at https://kishorbhat.com/post/fitbit-non-gps-tcx-export/.

[t.parker]

@kishorb it seems to work and you use Linux tools (although curl is available in Windows) so probably, for most of the users here, it's not going to be a suitable solution. The token can be obtained by curl request, too. In fact, if you capture all the requests from login to exporting TCX you can build the whole communication based on that. I have my own solution for that, automated but made of custom scripts so it's pretty much only for me. It is quite baffling that Fitbit has everything that's needed to get data exported or uploaded to other services, yet for many years it's reluctant to do it.